~Cardwoven Straps~ updated 11/06/07

CARDWEAVING: 
 
    Cardweaving is among the oldest forms of weaving around. Traces of cards and cardwoven articles were found among tombs in the early time periods of the Ancient Egyptians. Throughout history, cards were found made out of wood, cow horn, playing cards, bone, and in some instances, even fish scales. Cards were also of various shapes; usually square with a hole poked or drilled in each corner. They could also be triangular, hexagonal or octagonal in shape. 
    This form of weaving was usually done off of a loom; by tying one end of the project around your own waist, the other end around a post or tree & weaving by turning the cards forward, backwards or side to side. As the threads twist around each other, the color placement and card turning method is what creates the design. On the whole, cardweaving consists of very intricate and beautiful patterns, many of which are reversible; a different design on each side. 

CARDWOVEN IN COTTON
 LEFT: CARDWOVEN (A, B, C) (A) & (C) Rust, Bright Blue, Black  $45.  
(B) Gray & Natural Diamond Twill. $45. 
MIDDLE: CARDWOVEN (D) Diamond-Back Rattlesnake Pattern.  $45.
RIGHT: CARDWOVEN (E) Two variations on 1 pattern. Brown, Rust, Black, Natural. $45. 

CARDWOVEN IN COTTON
 LEFT: CARDWOVEN (F) Same strap, shown reverse sides.  $45.   
MIDDLE: CARDWOVEN (G, H, I) (G) Forest, Beige, Red, Black, Gold.  $45.
(H) Diagonal Twill in Olive, Forest, Gold, Brown. $45. 
(I)) Black, Olive, Rust. $45. 
RIGHT: CARDWOVEN (J) Variation of (F) strap, style called "Flagstone" $45. 

CARDWOVEN IN COTTON
 FAR LEFT: CARDWOVEN (K) Gold, Red, Natural, Black, Olive.  $45.   
LEFT: CARDWOVEN (L) Green, Gold, Black.  $45.
MIDDLE: CARDWOVEN (M) Diagonal Twill; Wine, Natural, Gold, Olive. $45.
RIGHT: CARDWOVEN (N) Diagonal Twill; Wine, Red, Gold, Brown. $45.
FAR RIGHT: CARDWOVEN (O) Wine, Black, Gray. $45.

CARDWOVEN IN COTTON
 FAR LEFT: CARDWOVEN (P) Red, Gray, Bright Blue, Gold.  $45.   
LEFT: CARDWOVEN (Q) Rust, White, Black.  $45.
RIGHT: CARDWOVEN (R) Blue, White, Black, Red. $45.
FAR RIGHT: CARDWOVEN (S) Diamond-Back Rattlesnake Pattern; Red, Natural, Black. $45.

CARDWOVEN IN COTTON
 FAR LEFT: CARDWOVEN (T) Gray, Wine, Black.  $45.   
LEFT: CARDWOVEN (U) Black, Olive, Rust, Wine.  $45.
RIGHT: CARDWOVEN (V) Rust, Bright Blue, Black, Wine. $45.
FAR RIGHT: CARDWOVEN (W) Navy, Wine, Natural, Rust. $45.

CARDWOVEN IN COTTON
 LEFT: CARDWOVEN (X) Diagonal Twill; Wine, Natural, Gold, Olive.  $45.   
MIDDLE: CARDWOVEN (Y) Red, White, Black, Gold, Brown.  $45.
RIGHT: CARDWOVEN (Z) Black, White, Gold, Wine, Olive. $45.

 Wooden cards are used for this ancient form of weaving. Threads are pulled through the holes in the cards, which are then turned towards or away in various sequences to create endless intricate designs which cannot be accomplished by straight-weaving on a loom. While I do use looms for card-weaving, many times it was done simply by attaching one end to a tree & the other end wrapped around the weaver's waist.