Understanding Brackets and Repeats

Weaving drafts that are written out thread by thread may be extremely long. To save space, wherever a section of the threading or treadling is repeated, a bracket may be placed above it with the number of times to follow that section.

In the threading draft shown just above, there are 2 levels of brackets, one marked 2x and one marked 10x.

To thread: Start at the right side and thread (after the floating selvedge) 1-2-3-4. Since the 2x is directly above these threads, you will thread that section 2 times. Then continue with 1-2-3-4-1-4-3-2-1-4. You are now at the end of the 10x bracket, so you’ll swing back and repeat everything under that bracket (including the 2x section) until you’ve done it 10 times. If the threading continues to another row, you’ll also read that row from right to left, repeating sections under brackets as needed.

Brackets in treadling work the same way: Treadle from top to bottom, repeating the sections as indicated. In the draft above, you’ll treadle 1-2-3-4 two times and then 2-1-4-3 six times. You’ll follow that entire sequence 10 times, before you finish up with 1-2-3-4 two times.

Brackets in the warp color order are treated in the same way. Note that while the color order chart may look a bit like a threading draft, what it indicates is the order in which to wind warp colors (moving right to left, 4 black, 8 green, 4 black; then 9 red and 9 white 6 times; then 4 green, 4 black).

This chart is always used alongside a threading draft. The warp color order tells you which color the next warp end should be, and the draft tells you which shaft it should be threaded on.

Feel Frustrated by Brackets?

You’re not alone! If you have a weaving program, WIFs may help you print out a full threading or treadling without any brackets. Read about how to do that here (scroll down to the Threading and Treadling—and Brackets section). The process may vary a little depending on the software you’re using.