Weaving Treadling Options - On Opposites

Pattern (2 colors of same size, no tabby)

This is particularly nice with high contrasting perle cottons for pattern wefts. You can use any treadling such as tromp as writ or rose and instead of the tabby following the pattern you will treadle the opposite block with the same-sized yarn in a different color. This is particularly easy to do if you are weaving with a 4-shaft direct tie-up (one shaft tied to one treadle woven with both feet). The opposite block will be the 2 treadles that your feet are not on at the time. (-: Another reason that I am a proponent of direct tie-up on 4-shaft overshot!

Opposites in 4 shaft overshot are as follows:

A = 1 & 2 Opposite = C - 3 & 4
B = 2 & 3 Opposite = D - 4 & 1
C = 3 & 4 Opposite = A - 1 & 2
D = 4 & 1 Opposite = B - 2 & 3


Below is the Opposites treadling of the Mary Ann Ostrander pattern, p. 146 of A Handweavr's Pattern Book. The example will be shown in the tromp as writ treadling with the opposite block in parentheses in order that you may see it "side-by-side." But, rose, a twill progression or any order may be used. Where the original pattern shows more than one pattern pick, such as C2, A2, etc., then follow with the opposite pattern pick for the number of original pattern picks.

Tromp as writ/Opposites:

A1 (C), B1 (D), C2 (A), B1 (D), A1 (C)
D1 (B), C2 (A), D1 (B)
A1 (C), B1 (D), C2 (A), B1 (D), A1 (C)

D1 (B), C1 (A), B1 (D), A3 (C), D3 (B), C5 (A), B4 (D), C2 (A), B4 (D), C2
(A), B4 (D), C5 (A), D3 (B), A3 (C), B1 (D), C1 (A), D1 (B)

Balance with the first 3 lines. Or thread and weave as shown, balancing threading with the first 17 ends.