Jo Sharp DK wool

Diagonal Half Square, from Weave-It Weaves, and Mirrored Diagonal Half Square, from Original Loomette Weaves, are indispensable for quilt block patterns. If you look at all the lovely quilt blocks that rely on different colors for diagonally divided squares and think—I can’t do that on a square loom—well, think again. In two colors, the effect of this weave pattern is one of two analogous prints. And the two-color blocks look different on the back, so you get four for two this time. (The block above uses two of each pattern.)

Diagonal Half Square in one color opens up some interesting possibilities, too. Weave a pile of them and play with different arrangements to get sawtooth, diagonal stripe, hourglass, textured square, etc. It’s like having a box of tangrams.

O=Over
U=Under
W=plain weave

DIAGONAL HALF SQUARE
Wrap three continuous warp layers. Change color if desired, and measure yarn for needleweaving.
Weave as follows—
Row 1: plain weave
Row 2: (U3, O1)x7; U3
Row 3: W2; (U3, O1)x6; U3; W2
Row 4: W4; (U3, O1)x6; U3
Row 5: W2; (U3, O1)x5; U3; W6
Row 6: W8; (U3, O1)x5; U3
Row 7: W2; (U3, O1)x4; U3; W10
Row 8: W12; (U3, O1)x4; U3
Row 9: W2; (U3, O1)x3; U3; W14
Row 10: W16; (U3, O1)x3; U3
Row 11: W2; (U3, O1)x2; U3; W18
Row 12: W20; (U3, O1)x2; U3
Row 13: W2; U3; O1; U3; W22
Row 14: W24; U3; O1; U3
Row 15: W2; U3; W26
Row 16: plain weave

On Weave-It, Weavette and Loomette looms, always go OVER the loop of yarn that’s outside the pins. That loop isn’t mentioned in any written pattern. It’s a “given”.

MIRRORED DIAGONAL HALF SQUARE
Wrap three continuous warp layer. Change color if desired and measure yarn for needleweaving.
Weave as follows—
Row 1: plain weave
Row 2: (U3, O1)x7; U3
Row 3: W2; (U3, O1)x6; U3; W2
Row 4: (U3, O1)x6; U3; W4
Row 5: W6; (U3, O1)x5; U3; W2
Row 6: (U3, O1)x5; U3; W8
Row 7: W10; (U3, O1)x4; U3; W2
Row 8: (U3, O1)x4; U3; W12
Row 9: W14; (U3, O1)x3; U3; W2
Row 10: (U3, O1)x3; U3; W16
Row 11: W18; (U3, O1)x2; U3; W2
Row 12: (U3, O1)x2; U3; W20
Row 13: W22; U3; O1; U3; W2
Row 14: U3; O1; U3; W24
Row 15: W26; U3; W2
Row 16: plain weave

These patterns are easily adapted to other square loom sizes. Here’s a Diagonal Half Square for the 6×6 Weavette.

If you’re celebrating, have a great holiday and I’ll see you January 2nd with more Square Deal Weave Along and a Challenge for the New Year.