I'm looking into trying my first weave. I watched Doc Ski's DVD and have been reading as much as possible. I wrap mostly medium-light to ultra-light blanks. I'm still not clear on how I should proceed in order to maintain aspect ratio.

Leon; I'm not quite sure what you are referring to in your question when you say aspect ratio. The blank circumference will limit the number of design threads in your patterns but the aspect ratio (length to width) of the design is taken care of in the pattern or by the size of the wrapping thread to the design thread. I use a wrapping thread at least one size larger than the Design thread. Jim Kastorff uses a pattern program that lets him use threads of the same size. Jeff Vadakin puts in additional wraps of the wrapping (background ) thread through the pattern to make the adjustment.

Most patterns will tell you what the approximate finished size of the weave will be using threads of a given size. From that you should be able to tell if it fits the blank you want to put it on.

Leon, I am retired and have time on my hands and this may not apply to you. However, I have started doing some weaves on wooden dowels to see how the patterns will look. These weaves are one color thread for the pattern and one for the background so that they don't take too much time. That process gives me an idea as to what size thread to use when weaving on a rod. I have several sizes of dowels that I practice on.

Hi Leon,
I am learning to weave myself and I would suggest that you want to keep the number of design
threads 40 or less depending on the size of the thread you are useing. I have been trying to
complete some letters consisting of 28 size A metallic threads and the letters are about 1/4in
tall and about the same width. That would be just about as big as you would want on a U/L
blank. Also, avoid metallic thread until you get the nack of weaving I've found that mettalics have
some funny quirks and have caused me a few headaches! Doc has helped me a lot! Email him!
I also am available. If I can help I will but like I said, I'm learning myself.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..