How to Use a Warp Color Order Chart (WCOC) – Blog Post
When you want to use multiple colors in your warp, a Warp Color Order Chart (WCOC) tells you how many warp ends of each color, and the order of those ends for your warp. Katzy has some simple directions for how to read a warp color order chart that will help you on your way to winding delightful, colorful warps.
by Katzy Luhring
How to Use a Warp Color Order Chart
We need a shorthand way to tell us how many ends of each color to use when you are winding a multicolored warp. Enter the Warp Color Order Chart.
Warp Color Order Charts show:
- the colors to be used when you are winding your warp
- the number of ends of each color
- the order that those warp ends are wound
- the total number of warp ends.
Warp Color Order Chart
This is a Warp Color Order Chart. This warp has 3 colors (shown in the first column on the left), and a total of 55 ends (shown down at the bottom right). The total number of ends of each color are shown in the right most column:
- 36 total ends of 5 Purple Blue
- 12 total ends of 10 Purple
- 7 total ends of Middle Gray
On the Loom and On the Draft
As you look at the chart, imagine you are sitting in front of your loom ready to weave your fabric. Hold the chart in front of you. You see 18 ends of 5 Purple Blue on the outside edge. Then 6 ends of 10 Purple. 7 ends of Middle Gray are right in the middle of the warp. Then 6 more ends of 10 Purple and finally 18 ends of 5 Purple Blue. The draft shown on the right corresponds to this Warp Color Order Chart.
Wind That Warp
To wind the warp from the Warp Color Order Chart, start on the right side of the chart (this corresponds to the right side of the threading draft). Wind:
- 18 ends of 5 Purple Blue
- 6 ends of 10 Purple
- 7 ends of Middle Gray
- 6 ends of 10 Purple
- 18 ends of 5 Purple Blue.
Symmetry Matters
When you have a symmetrical draft like the one shown above, it really doesn’t matter which side you start or end the warp. However, if you have an asymmetrical warp like the one shown in the draft to the left, you need to make sure that you place the warp on the loom with the color stripes on the correct side. For example, this draft has a 10 Red Purple stripe on the right side and a 10 Purple stripe on the left side.
For this warp, the Warp Color Order Chart would look like the chart on the right. To wind this warp, start on the right (just like you read the draft), and wind:
- 12 ends of 5 Purple Blue
- 12 ends of 10 Red Purple
- 7 ends of Middle Gray
- 12 ends of 10 Purple
- 12 ends of 5 Purple Blue.
When you go to your loom, make sure the 10 Red Purple stripe is on the right side of the loom when you are ready to weave. Now...Warp Speed Ahead!
Like this tip? For lots of tips on how to warp your loom quickly and easily, attend Michele’s Ya Gotta Be Warped to Weave class on Zoom. Click here for more information!