For those of you who enjoy weaving, what tools do you like to use when creating your designs?
For me, designing a weaving pattern feels a bit like filling in the squares of a large grid—placing colors one by one to gradually build the picture I have in mind.
To support that process, my tool of choice is Adobe Illustrator.
In this “Design Techniques” section, I introduce how I use Illustrator as a design tool.
Articles [1] through [8] walk you through the steps of creating grid-based designs in Illustrator.
I hope these guides inspire your own design process and help spark new ideas.
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![[1] Adobe Illustrator for Weaving Grid Design](https://mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w:1140/h:681/q:mauto/f:best/https://i0.wp.com/mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w%3A1465/h%3A875/q%3Amauto/f%3Abest/https%3A//mayukasora.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/feature01.jpg?resize=1140%2C681&ssl=1)
[1] Adobe Illustrator for Weaving Grid Design
The article provides basic knowledge of Illustrator for those new to the software, preparing them to start creating grid templates in Illustrator.
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![[2] Creating a Grid Template in Adobe Illustrator](https://mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w:1140/h:681/q:mauto/f:best/https://i0.wp.com/mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w%3A1465/h%3A875/q%3Amauto/f%3Abest/https%3A//mayukasora.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/grid_feature_03.jpg?resize=1140%2C681&ssl=1)
[2] Creating a Grid Template in Adobe Illustrator
The guide explains how to create a weaving design grid template in Adobe Illustrator. The process will take about 30 minutes.
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![[3] Placing a Rough Sketch in Adobe Illustrator](https://mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w:1140/h:681/q:mauto/f:best/https://i0.wp.com/mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w%3A1465/h%3A875/q%3Amauto/f%3Abest/https%3A//mayukasora.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/place_feature.jpg?resize=1140%2C681&ssl=1)
[3] Placing a Rough Sketch in Adobe Illustrator
This article guides the initial process of applying a design to a weaving grid using a grid template created in Adobe Illustrator.
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![[4] Coloring on the Grid in Adobe Illustrator](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201140%20681%22%20width%3D%221140%22%20height%3D%22681%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%221140%22%20height%3D%22681%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=1140%2C681&ssl=1)
[4] Coloring on the Grid in Adobe Illustrator
This article describes the procedure for coloring the grid rectangles following the rough sketch, including information on how to register colors.
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[5] Adjust Grid Design for Easy Weaving (Work in Adobe Illustrator)
This article explains the steps to adjust a grid design to follow the meet-and-separate weaving technique and simulate the weft pathways.
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[6] Matching Weft Colors for Grid Design in Adobe Illustrator
The article provides a step-by-step guide to use Adobe Illustrator for creating colors as close as possible to weft thread colors.
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[7] Considering Color Schemes in Grid Design Using Layers
The article details useful functions and how to use them when considering color schemes for grid designs in Adobe Illustrator.
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[8] Grid Design to PDF Files for Various Devices with a Twist
In this article, I’ll guide you on converting your grid design in Adobe Illustrator to a PDF file with a twist for viewing on various devices.
![[4] Coloring on the Grid in Adobe Illustrator](https://mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w:1140/h:681/q:mauto/f:best/https://i0.wp.com/mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w%3A1465/h%3A875/q%3Amauto/f%3Abest/https%3A//mayukasora.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/rough_coloring_feature-.jpg)
![[5] Adjust Grid Design for Easy Weaving (Work in Adobe Illustrator)](https://mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w:1140/h:681/q:mauto/f:best/https://i0.wp.com/mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w%3A1465/h%3A875/q%3Amauto/f%3Abest/https%3A//mayukasora.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/feature_adjust_grid_02.jpg)
![[6] Matching Weft Colors for Grid Design in Adobe Illustrator](https://mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w:1140/h:681/q:mauto/f:best/https://i0.wp.com/mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w%3A1465/h%3A875/q%3Amauto/f%3Abest/https%3A//mayukasora.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/make_colors_feature.jpg)
![[7] Considering Color Schemes in Grid Design Using Layers](https://mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w:1140/h:681/q:mauto/f:best/https://i0.wp.com/mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w%3A1465/h%3A875/q%3Amauto/f%3Abest/https%3A//mayukasora.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/feature_color_scheme.jpg)
![[8] Grid Design to PDF Files for Various Devices with a Twist](https://mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w:1140/h:681/q:mauto/f:best/https://i0.wp.com/mlltl5slrgf4.i.optimole.com/w%3A1465/h%3A875/q%3Amauto/f%3Abest/https%3A//mayukasora.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ipad_feature.jpg)
TIPS LIST
The following is a list of useful functions and helpful information in Illustrator, other than how to create the grid design described in the above series of articles.
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How to Know the Weft Length in Advance Before Weaving
The article explains how to figure out the weft length needed from a grid design using Adobe Illustrator. It will help in efficient weaving.
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List of Useful Adobe Illustrator Keyboard Shortcuts to Remember
Mastering Adobe Illustrator keyboard shortcuts can greatly enhance your design workflow. This article highlights essential shortcuts that you should definitely learn.
