Aikapur Technique: Supplementary Warp

The Bhutanese describe the width of these supplementary warp patterns in “legs” which are counted in the cross-hatched bars that run at right angles across the yellow and red stripes. Wider patterns are more complicated to weave, so a 13-legged pattern is more prestigious than a 9-legged pattern. You can see this in the photo of the weaver using green and blue stripes: see how many heddle rods she needs in order to weave the complex patterns in her wide orange and green bands.

The photos of the orange aikapur with narrow bands being woven were taken immediately after the video, forming a continuation of the video if you are interested in the details of the process.

See also Aikapur Technique: Supplementary Weft