<p>Having done an internet seach on -flat weave- I came across <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Twelve-cord-flat-weave-instructions/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this instruction site</a> (registering might be needed.) I found several good pictures and some instruction videos and sites, as will you.</p>

<p>It is basically weaving with free ends, not limited in size but as free ends do tend to get out of hand mostly just done in small stips.<br>
Nothing stops you from adding more sets of strings, getting wider stips0</p>

<p>I would not start with many, I would start with the number in the instructions you use, then add a few more sets of strings, say halve the number again and when that works, start with double the number.<br>
You will notice that the top of the work is not at 90 degrees with the sides, so if you want to do a wider strip or even a blanket, you may need to do several stages of starting, making a sawtooth top.<br>
I even see it as likely your first big work being made up out of several or even many narrow strips, sawn together. Controlling many strings is not as easy as you might think.</p>

<p>Seeing the photos you added to your question, I would call that braiding, not 'flat weaving' and I wrote instructions for up to 6 strings flat a while ago and have them on <a href="http://knopen.ismijnhobby.nl/tables/braid-text_table.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">my (non commercial) website.</a><br>
Unlike the instructions on the other site, adding more strings working free-hand is very hard to control, but not hard to work out.  </p>

<p>On request, a copy of the braid instructions of my site. Copyright Willeke (me, that is.)<br>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/WfIyW.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/WfIyW.gif" alt="braid instructions 1"></a><br>
Arrange your strings like this. See your strings as two pairs and a single, start counting from the left.   </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/QvRgO.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/QvRgO.gif" alt="braid instructions 2"></a><br>
Take the right string of each pair and let it jump over the string on its left.  </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/qJe6B.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qJe6B.gif" alt="braid instructions 3"></a>
Now count from the right, take the left string of each pair and let it jump over the string on its right.   </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/dnmGy.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/dnmGy.gif" alt="braid instructions 4"></a><br>
From here on you just repeat, start counting on the left, right string of each pair to the left.  </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/C68tf.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/C68tf.gif" alt="braid instructions 5"></a><br>
Next start counting on the right, left string of each pair to the right.    </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/DJMvU.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DJMvU.gif" alt="braid instructions 6"></a><br>
You can keep on going this way forever.  </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/e7zNV.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/e7zNV.gif" alt="braid instructions 7"></a><br>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/TXDnP.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TXDnP.gif" alt="braid instructions 8"></a><br>
You can also braid the other way round, but it looks so much the same, you can work it out for yourself.  </p>

<p>With most braiding you can just add more strings and keep working in the same kind of pattern. In above set of instructions you can use any odd number of strings, keeping braiding them in sets of two, going from the right for one move and from the left for the next, keeping them going over one, under one for the weave. If you have more than 3 strings you can also go over and under more than one, the more strands, the more patterns possible. But that is not beginners work. When you are ready for that, an internet search (-braiding patterns- -japanese braiding- -takadai- or -kumihimo-) will likely give good results.</p>

<p>One old method of working with many strings is to use bobbins and work on a pillow or a frame. 
Japanese frames are on internet, some <a href="http://www.braidershand.com/sfexhibit1.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">photos on this page.</a>
And a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlJR8525E4I" rel="nofollow noreferrer">video with a big piece on a frame</a> (not beginners work.)<br>
And here is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYaQEIJ66t8" rel="nofollow noreferrer">one more long video</a> with some useful bits.
Good seach words are </p>

<p>The difference between the instructions on the first site and those on my site is the way the strings cover or not cover each other.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-28T15:56:29.963Z
You're answer satisfies my question. However, I hate to be that guy, but SE rules say that answers cannot be in the form of links to other sites because if that site goes down the answer is invalidated. I would accept it, but cannot do so as it stands. If you edit your answer to provide the information directly on this page I will accept it. Feel free to keep the links in there though, just for reference. And thank you so much. Once finished with my first scarf, I'll post a picture here. =)
Konner Rasmussen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-28T16:17:20.347Z
One link answers are not appreciated, I had however added in several links. But I have copied the instructions of one braid from my site, hoping you accept that as enough.
Willeke
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-28T15:42:57.390Z
2017-12-09T21:00:25.327Z
2017-12-09T21:00:25.327Z
Willeke
<p>I'm trying to make flat weave scarves and blankets. It occurred to me that you should be able to flat weave any number of strands with about the same method.</p>

<p>For a scarf I hope to flat weave 15 strands since I suspect the process would be most extensible when using an odd number of strands.</p>

<p>Can anyone explain, or direct me to a tutorial on, how to flat weave large numbers of strands?</p>

<p>Edit:</p>

<p>Here are some examples of flat weaves That are similar to what I'm going for. I'm going to be using plush chunky yarn not Paracord, but the material is irrelevant. It's the same idea as a standard 3 strand weave that all children know. But logic says the process should be able to scale up to number of strands. I'm looking for a method for 15 strands to make a scarf, but if a simple scalable logic can be found I would like to use the same process to make large blankets with 50+ strands</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/R1yRL.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/R1yRL.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/wQHxL.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/wQHxL.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ti3uP.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ti3uP.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-28T15:36:13.433Z
Someone had commented. Now the comment is gone. Your link was about correct
Konner Rasmussen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-28T15:38:28.340Z
Disclaimer, the images shown here are not my intellectual property. They are used here for demonstrational purposes and nothing more. The were found in Google and all rights to their use lie solely with those in possession of their IP rights. No infringement is intended.
Konner Rasmussen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-28T15:43:29.030Z
I took out my comment as I did find what I thought you meant.
Willeke
<weaving><braiding>
How to flat weave (n) strands
Konner Rasmussen
# How to flat weave (n) strands

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-10-27)

I'm trying to make flat weave scarves and blankets. It occurred to me that you should be able to flat weave any number of strands with about the same method.

For a scarf I hope to flat weave 15 strands since I suspect the process would be most extensible when using an odd number of strands.

Can anyone explain, or direct me to a tutorial on, how to flat weave large numbers of strands?

Edit:

Here are some examples of flat weaves That are similar to what I'm going for. I'm going to be using plush chunky yarn not Paracord, but the material is irrelevant. It's the same idea as a standard 3 strand weave that all children know. But logic says the process should be able to scale up to number of strands. I'm looking for a method for 15 strands to make a scarf, but if a simple scalable logic can be found I would like to use the same process to make large blankets with 50+ strands

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/R1yRL.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/R1yRL.jpg)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/wQHxL.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/wQHxL.jpg)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ti3uP.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ti3uP.jpg)

**Tags:** weaving, braiding

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Someone had commented. Now the comment is gone. Your link was about correct  
> **username_0**: Disclaimer, the images shown here are not my intellectual property. They are used here for demonstrational purposes and nothing more. The were found in Google and all rights to their use lie solely with those in possession of their IP rights. No infringement is intended.  
> **username_1**: I took out my comment as I did find what I thought you meant.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-10-28. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

Having done an internet seach on -flat weave- I came across [this instruction site](http://www.instructables.com/id/Twelve-cord-flat-weave-instructions/) (registering might be needed.) I found several good pictures and some instruction videos and sites, as will you.

It is basically weaving with free ends, not limited in size but as free ends do tend to get out of hand mostly just done in small stips.  
Nothing stops you from adding more sets of strings, getting wider stips0

I would not start with many, I would start with the number in the instructions you use, then add a few more sets of strings, say halve the number again and when that works, start with double the number.  
You will notice that the top of the work is not at 90 degrees with the sides, so if you want to do a wider strip or even a blanket, you may need to do several stages of starting, making a sawtooth top.  
I even see it as likely your first big work being made up out of several or even many narrow strips, sawn together. Controlling many strings is not as easy as you might think.

Seeing the photos you added to your question, I would call that braiding, not 'flat weaving' and I wrote instructions for up to 6 strings flat a while ago and have them on [my (non commercial) website.](http://knopen.ismijnhobby.nl/tables/braid-text_table.html)  
Unlike the instructions on the other site, adding more strings working free-hand is very hard to control, but not hard to work out.

On request, a copy of the braid instructions of my site. Copyright username_1 (me, that is.)  
[![braid instructions 1](https://i.sstatic.net/WfIyW.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/WfIyW.gif)  
Arrange your strings like this. See your strings as two pairs and a single, start counting from the left.

[![braid instructions 2](https://i.sstatic.net/QvRgO.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/QvRgO.gif)  
Take the right string of each pair and let it jump over the string on its left.

[![braid instructions 3](https://i.sstatic.net/qJe6B.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/qJe6B.gif)
Now count from the right, take the left string of each pair and let it jump over the string on its right.

[![braid instructions 4](https://i.sstatic.net/dnmGy.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/dnmGy.gif)  
From here on you just repeat, start counting on the left, right string of each pair to the left.

[![braid instructions 5](https://i.sstatic.net/C68tf.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/C68tf.gif)  
Next start counting on the right, left string of each pair to the right.

[![braid instructions 6](https://i.sstatic.net/DJMvU.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/DJMvU.gif)  
You can keep on going this way forever.

[![braid instructions 7](https://i.sstatic.net/e7zNV.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/e7zNV.gif)  
[![braid instructions 8](https://i.sstatic.net/TXDnP.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/TXDnP.gif)  
You can also braid the other way round, but it looks so much the same, you can work it out for yourself.

With most braiding you can just add more strings and keep working in the same kind of pattern. In above set of instructions you can use any odd number of strings, keeping braiding them in sets of two, going from the right for one move and from the left for the next, keeping them going over one, under one for the weave. If you have more than 3 strings you can also go over and under more than one, the more strands, the more patterns possible. But that is not beginners work. When you are ready for that, an internet search (-braiding patterns- -japanese braiding- -takadai- or -kumihimo-) will likely give good results.

One old method of working with many strings is to use bobbins and work on a pillow or a frame.
Japanese frames are on internet, some [photos on this page.](http://www.braidershand.com/sfexhibit1.html)
And a [video with a big piece on a frame](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlJR8525E4I) (not beginners work.)  
And here is [one more long video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYaQEIJ66t8) with some useful bits.
Good seach words are

The difference between the instructions on the first site and those on my site is the way the strings cover or not cover each other.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: You're answer satisfies my question. However, I hate to be that guy, but SE rules say that answers cannot be in the form of links to other sites because if that site goes down the answer is invalidated. I would accept it, but cannot do so as it stands. If you edit your answer to provide the information directly on this page I will accept it. Feel free to keep the links in there though, just for reference. And thank you so much. Once finished with my first scarf, I'll post a picture here. =)  
> **username_1**: One link answers are not appreciated, I had however added in several links. But I have copied the instructions of one braid from my site, hoping you accept that as enough.  

---

