Weaving FAQ
I
want to learn to weave? Where should I begin?
For most beginning weavers we recommend a rigid heddle loom, such as the Ashford Knitters Loom, Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom, Ashford SampleIt Loom, Kromski Harp Forte or Schacht Flip rigid heddle loom, since these are easy to manage. The set up of a rigid heddle loom (warping) is fast and easy to understand even if you have not woven before. You can start weaving quickly and if you purchase multiple reeds you have a wide choice of yarns you can weave with.
But I really want a floor loom to weave
By all means, jump right in and get one! Make sure you have the support you need to get started, books and DVD’s are great but may not be enough. A friend that weaves or a class or two might be a good way to get started since these are more complex looms. Setting up a four or even eight shaft loom will take a little longer, but you will also be able to have a longer warp on your loom enabling you to weave more items in series.
There are so many brands of floor looms, which one is right for
me?
Ask yourself what do you want to weave and where will you be weaving? Can your loom be narrow, since you want to weave mostly scarves or samples? Does it need to fold, like to Leclerc Compact so you can take it to lessons? Will perhaps a more portable Table loom like the Ashford Table loom work for you? Do you want a really wide loom that can weave throws and blankets?
Do you love intricate patterns and need an eight harness loom, like the Louet Spring loom or are four harnesses more than enough for you? How tall are you? If you are very tall you may need a loom with a higher breast beam and loom bench or one that offers height extenders like the Schacht Baby Wolf loom or the Louet Delta loom that is built for taller weavers.
I want to buy a used loom. How do I know if it is working
properly?
If you are not a weaver take someone who weaves with you. If the loom is warped up, sit down and weave on it. Do the shafts (also called harnesses, frames that hold the heddles) lift up evenly? Does the loom hold the warp tension? Is the reed rusted? Does it feel solid? Is the loom still being made today in case you need parts? If the loom is not warped up try inspecting it visually, move the shafts, check the tension brake etc. If the loom is in pieces be aware that there is a good chance parts are missing that may be very spendy or impossible to replace.
Why do some floor looms take such a long time to get?
Depending on the brand of loom you ordered your loom may ship within a few days, weeks or sometime two or more months.
Since floor looms are substantial and heavy they will be delivered to you per freight (with a few exceptions). This is pretty expensive so rather than having heavy floor looms in stock (and having to pay shipping twice) retailers have adapted the drop ship method in which looms are shipped to you directly from the manufacturer to save on shipping cost (your shipping cost is free).
Most manufactures produce looms "on demand" and will ship your loom out to you within a few weeks. Other floor looms, like Louet looms have to be imported from Holland and may take a little longer to get since they come to the US per container. This is why we usually order the loom on your behalf and charge your card only half of the total. Once we get notified that your loom is ready to be shipped we forward your tracking information to you and charge the balance due.
Do I need a loom bench? They look so uncomfortable. Why can’t I
just use a chair
In most situations a chair just simply is not
high enough for you be able to have a comfortably reach.
Loom
benches are really designed to aid the weaver, since they are a
little higher than the average chair, helping the weaver reach
further into the loom and allowing to move a little while weaving.
The hard surface is actually quite good for your back too. If you do
not have the money to buy a loom bench right away, try a bar stool
for a while and you will notice that it, even though not ideal, will
also give you more “reach” into your loom.
Do I need a warping board?
You do not need a warping board for rigid
heddle looms. These come with warping pegs. You will however need a
warping board or a warping mill for four harness looms – and other
multi harness looms- regardless whether you have a table or floor
loom
Do I need a bobbin winder?
Well, technically no. You could just wind your
bobbins by hand. You could also insert a pencil into the chuck of a
drill and wind the bobbins this way. Both ways will work, but your
yarn will most likely not be wound very even, meaning that your will
not have the maximum yardage on your bobbin and worse, because they
are would uneven your yarn may not flow right of the bobbin as it
should. This may result in an interruption of your weaving rhythm,
magnify uneven salvages etc. So, no, you do not “need” a
bobbin
winder, but we recommend that you get one as soon as you can.
The selvedges on my rigid heddle loom are horrible. Help!
Is the tension of your warp even? Did you
remember to lay your yarn in at an angle to allow for take-up? If
you are a beginning weaver it is quite normal that your salvages are
not straight. Practice makes perfect in weaving too. If you are
using a stick shuttle, try a small boat shuttle that fits thru your
shed instead.
If you are already are using boat shuttles and our shed is big
enough you could also try an End
Feed Delivery shuttle. These fancy shuttles have an adjustable
tensioner so that your weft will always be placed into the shed with
the same tension. These shuttles do not us bobbins but pirns.
What should my sett be for 8/2 cotton?
8
I dont have the reed I need for my project. Can I substitue
another reed?
Yes, you can most of the time! C
How to Convert a 4 Harness Pattern
