Inkle Loom - Green Variegated Belt

Background:

Although the origin of the word inkle is unknown, an inkle is a colored tape or braid similar to the braids produced in tablet weaving. Like tablet weaving, inkle weaving is restricted to narrow widths, although it is woven on a loom making it much quicker and easier. Unfortunately, the pattern variations are not as numerous as in tablet weaving.

On an inkle weaving loom, alternate warp threads are leashed to a peg while the others are left free createing the shed. The shed is opened and closed by raising and lowering the free threads. The narrow braids produced could also have been woven on a small vertical loom similar to those used for weaving wider fabrics. Braids have been found made from wool, linen and silk. Some have been enhanced by floating (brocaded) gold thread.

Recent study has cast doubt in the area of the use of an inkle loom in the 10th Century as the name 'Inkle' appears to be from the Middle Ages rather than the Early Middle Ages. It should also be noted that a backstrap loom would suffice (or any variation of it) to produce the complex patterns of band produced on an inkle loom. The use of backstrap looms would leave very little in the way of archeological finds, and perhaps answer why nothing in the way of looms as described have been found. Ethnographic evidence from the Middle-East prior to WW2 shows ladies weaving bands with backstrap looms made from little more than sticks. However, I prefer an inkle loom to a backstrap loom, period or not, as it is easier on my body, I do not have to find an object to tie off on and it as easier to start/stop a project.

Materials:
Period materials would have included linen, wool and silk. I have used cotton embroidery thread for these projects. It is cheap, comes in a variety of colors and is relatively strong.

Notes:
The green variegated belt is my first attempt at using the inkle loom (sans instruction) and the belt has been worn. 

My first inkle loom project

I like green and thought the different colors would help me see what's happening

A close up of the start/finish

Came out fairly even...