On an open wrap where I have more than one thread to be wrapped on a pass, a std. diamond, would it be ok to wrap all the threads in one direction or should I go one up, one down, etc., etc? I have a band of eight white threads framing a center diamond so want to know if I can do all eight up, then eight down, or should I do them one at a time and one up, one down. Hope I made sense.

It depends on what look you are going for. If you are looking to have a straight line the rod then one thread at a time is required. Otherwise eight at a time will work and give a different look.

Expand this picture and you will see the result of wrapping in bands.

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Chris Richer
Iroquois ON



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2015 09:42AM by Chris Richer.

About the only thing that's universally true with single vs multiple threads is it's more difficult to execute a truly good looking full single thread decorative wrap because the greater number of thread crosses make it more difficult to move threads around to adjust the position and geometric shape, and the threads are held in place more tightly.

Most people start one thread at a time and because of the steep learning curve associated with managing all the things you need to do they never try multiple threads. I've often heard people say something like "I have a hard enough time wrapping one thread at a time" when the topic of multiple threads come up. When I teach my students how to plan and execute Decorative Wraps, I try to help them understand that there are times for single and times for multiple threads.

Without going into a lot of details and trying to make a very general statement to answer the poster's question, I would recommend wrapping multiple (2-4) threads unless there is a reason to wrap a single thread.

Some reasons why you might wrap single threads instead of multiple threads are pattern requirements, thread color changes (bleeds), areas of high color contrasts, desire for crisp instead of sawtooth edges, frames or borders, highlighting, using bright color threads, etc. Think of things you might consider as "showy".

Some reasons why you might wrap multiple threads instead of single threads geometric pattern requirements, areas of lower color contrasts, desire for a sawtooth edge over a crisp edge, using darker color threads or threads that stand out less like NCP threads, filling asymmetrical background areas or unbalanced problem areas. Think of things you might want to be less showy or be used as a background.

There are always exceptions to the above, they're just helpful guidelines. I find I generally wrap 2 threads or one if necessary. In filling a background with a darker color or if i want a pronounced sawtooth edge highlighted for effect, I will go with up to four threads at a time. I find it challenging to do more than 4 at a time as I tension and guide the threads in my hand from loose spools. I can work four threads in the spaces between individual fingers. and tension with finger and thumb pressure as I guide the band.