The Sewing Place

The Emporia => A Good Yarn => Topic started by: Ploshkin on October 31, 2020, 16:22:21 PM

Title: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on October 31, 2020, 16:22:21 PM
Ever since Celia posted a picture of her Inkle weaving loom I have been looking at weaving stuff.  I've always wanted to be able to weave but have never had the space for a loom (or so I thought)
I have already discovered that table looms come in many sizes and it is possible to weave some sensible sized stuff without a humongous piece of furniture.  I definitely intend starting but it will have to wait until completion of our building works.  My sewing room will be the first bit to get painted!  In the meantime I can research.

So, apart from @Celia and @BriarRose are there any other closet weavers out there?
How and when did you start weaving, how did you learn, and what do you weave?

Everything I read suggests that a rigid heddle loom is the best thing to start with.  I understand that the next thing 'up' from that is a loom with shafts but I can't for the life if me work out which bits 'shafts' refers to or what they do  -  I know that you can weave patterns if you have shafts.

So, can anyone recommend the best sort and size of loom to start with and the best type of yarn for first attempts.  Also what is a good source of instruction.
Do I need an inkle loom to scratch the itch before I can get started?

Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on October 31, 2020, 16:30:02 PM
I'm following this as I have always fancied weaving.
I don't think I have enough room though :thinking:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BlueCat on October 31, 2020, 17:32:33 PM
I bought a 16” rigid heddle loom about a year ago, and I love it.
I have made scarves, both in plain weave and ‘Saori’ art style, using all kinds of yarns, ribbons, etc.
I find it very relaxing, and much quicker to produce something than knitting or crochet.
When I eventually get my craft room, I can see me wanting a (small) floor model.
Just  a few of the ones I have made so far...
https://pin.it/3qx1uAa
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on October 31, 2020, 17:57:24 PM
Those are gorgeous @BlueCat  now I am even more enthused!
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: WendyW on October 31, 2020, 21:41:09 PM
Weaving has always fascinated me. I had a potholder loom as a child, and both my grandma's got well-supplied with pot-holders. I had opportunities as a teen to experience basic table-top looms and a full-size loom and thought they were really cool. I have never had the space for a full size loom, and always figured it would never get enough use to justify the cost. Other than sewing, I am a dabbler in all things crafty, and that's just way beyond my "dabble" budget. I got a couple table-top looms at a garage sale some years ago, and was disappointed in those. The one weaving thing that has stuck with me through the years is tablet or card weaving, for making belts/straps/trims. I have both a back-strap loom and a table-top loom for that, both homemade. Unfortunately I have never done it consistently enough to really get good at it, so every time I go back to it I have to start over at the beginning.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: mudcat on October 31, 2020, 22:53:57 PM
I also want to take it up.  I will start small though. I have one Craftsy weaving course I bought a while ago that was pretty good.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 01, 2020, 10:28:11 AM
@BriarRose  just sending this to you so you can find us, would love to hear more about your looms and I think everyone else on here would too.

I will post a bit more detail about the looms I have later if anyone is interested
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on November 01, 2020, 10:33:18 AM
I'm definitely interested @Celia
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Renegade Sewist on November 01, 2020, 12:19:53 PM
You know how some of you are with sewing machines?  Those are my looms, somewhere in the vicinity of 8 to 10.

I haven't done anything recently and keep threatening to "when I find time". You know how that goes.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on November 01, 2020, 16:19:48 PM
Don't let the lack of a "proper" loom put you off starting a project. One can weave on anything that can hold warp threads, from a giant industrial loom to a forked branch off a tree.

My favorite carry-it-around loom is a plain frame made from four artist stretcher bars. It can be warped in a figure eight pattern for a single sided weaving or in a straight round and round way so I can weave on both sides of the frame. In the second instance, I do a weaving on each side, then when both are done, take them off the frame, tie the warp ends off for fringe, and sew the two weavings into a bag.

I like primitive frames. I have a floor loom that belonged to a friend who died of cancer; her husband gave it to me so it would "have a good home." It is warped, but I haven't done anything with it. My main loom is a 60" high Navajo loom. This winter's project is a saddle blanket for my son. Most saddle blankets are twilled but I'm just going to weave stripes and maybe incorporate his brand into it as well. My friend Rita has a big floor loom and does the most amazingly intricate Scandinavian weaving on it- she's waaaay out of my class but says she will help me with my own floor loom once the current madness subsides.

A few years ago while I was still teaching belly dance, I bought a huge amount of ribbon to make ribbon skirts. I have used and given away piles of the stuff and still have more. I'd like to weave ribbon onto a bodice or yoke and have been sorting through my pattern stash in search of a suitable pattern.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 02, 2020, 23:18:48 PM
Hi I am really glad this thread is going, I started with a rigid heddle loom, I first of all had a small Ashford sampler loom but a very old friend of mine wanted one and was not in a position to build it herself so I let her have mine as it was only very small 10 inch, I know have 2 rigid heddles
1. Ashford 12 inch knitters loom
2. Schacht 20 inch Flip loom

My latest loom is a 30cm 4 shaft Louet Erica table loom
https://www.weftblown.com/collections/schacht-rigid-heddle-looms/products/flip-rigid-heddle-loom?variant=39325638983

My Inkle loom is a home made one

If I was starting again I don’t know where I would start, I really love the new Erica but it is a bit of a leaning curve, the rigid heddles are easier to use. 

I didn’t want an Inkle to start with, a friend had one and I wasn’t that keen but then I saw some of the things you can do and after him in doors built me one I absolutely love it, I have just finished doing some straps for a bag and am about to start some curtain tie backs.

If you are just wanting to dabble to see how you get on don’t ignore the Inkle it is a fun loom to use, doesn’t take long to make something and also doesn’t need a big stock of yarns to do something.

If I can answer any questions please ask, I am no expert but have tried to learn as much as I can.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on November 03, 2020, 08:47:58 AM
Thank you @Celia that is useful.
Please can you tell me what shafts are.  Are they a physical bit of the loom or is it an alternative term for sheds?  I always need to have a picture in my head to understand how things work and so far I don't have one for shafts.

I've already concluded that I will get a rigid heddle loom.  The one I have bookmarked is the Kromski Harp mainly because it comes in a good range of sizes, they are also fitted with a second heddle block.  I am leaning towards 24".  I know there's no point in me having a narrow one because after a very short time I'll be wishing I'd got a bigger one.  Once I've done the research and decided I want to do something I know that I will do it and stick at it.  I think my aim will be to eventually sew a garment made from cloth that I have woven but I don't see myself progressing to a big floor loom. 
What size heddle do you find the most useful (i.e. holes per inch)?
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 03, 2020, 09:49:59 AM
Hi @Ploshkin do be careful choosing such a large loom as it can be a mistake, after I let my friend have my little one I bought a 20 inch and found it not good for doing things like scarves etc and of course it also takes up more space and is not too easy to find the right position to use it in.

 I was lucky him indoors bought me my 12 inch knitters loom for a Christmas present and I found this much easier to learn on, I sold my 20 inch to a friend and only got a new 20 inch recently which is actually a different make and sits better on a table, now I love both of them, having said that I am already thinking I would like a bigger table loom, I would love a floor loom but I know that is never going to happen. :(

A 24 might be fine for you but do be aware of the size with relation to your arms and where it will sit.
Are you thinking of buying a stand for it? I had my problem because I could not hold the big loom against my stomach due to an op that went wrong years ago.

As for heddles and shafts they are similar but shafts are found on table and floor looms and are used for patterning, that’s the short answer. 

The size heddles you need will depend on the thickness of the yarn you want to use, I use a 10 or 12 more often as I have a lot of 4ply yarns.

Hope all that lot helps, any more I can help with please ask, I am really excited to find some fellow weavers, I have a shawl type cowl to finish off today and will post pictures when washed.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on November 03, 2020, 10:37:14 AM
Thanks for that info @Celia  Practical experience is so much more valuable than salesperson's patter.
What was the difficulty with weaving narrow things on a wide loom?  Is it tension?
I hadn't thought about the arm movement thing so that's a very valid consideration.
I would definitely have it on a stand as space shouldn't be an issue.

By the way,  I'm only here because we're set up ready and waiting for the dipping man to arrive.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 03, 2020, 14:39:22 PM
Yes @Ploshkin it is mainly the tension if you are doing a small project on a large RHL then it is very easy for the beat to become uneven.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: mudcat on November 03, 2020, 20:05:41 PM
I just signed up for a four hour rigid heddle weaving class. It is in about three weeks.  So this will be a test to see if it's really something I want to do.  :thinking:

I'm a little ambivalent about being around other people but they are only allowing two students and enforcing masks and six feet distancing so I'm going to go with it.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on November 03, 2020, 21:08:08 PM
It took me two years to get into a particular Navajo weaving course in New Mexico. Signed up a year in advance only to have it cancelled thanks to covid. Poor Gallup, New Mexico got hit hard early on in the pandemic. I just let my deposit ride another year and have great hopes that the class will be held in 2021.  There's a fine teacher in Denver about an hour from my daughter, but the classes always end right in the middle of Denver rush hour. Somethings are beyond my endurance, and rush hour traffic in Denver is one of them.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on November 03, 2020, 22:04:36 PM
I live on the edge of the Brecon Beacons which, being traditional sheep country with a long history of wool and weaving, is an area where there are many craftspeople and in 'normal' times I would have no problem finding a weaving workshop.  I hope that there may be an opportunity next year to attend something though I won't hold my breath.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Puzzler on November 04, 2020, 16:14:51 PM
My weaver friend from the US wants to visit post lockdown and for me to take her to some mills in Wales. That would be a long haul for me. She’s got a flock of looms in a fibre studio, room built above a large 2 car garage. One of her looms is a compact eight shaft floor model. I covet that one but weaving would be one slippery slope too many for me at the moment.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on November 06, 2020, 03:23:16 AM
My weaver friend from the US wants to visit post lockdown and for me to take her to some mills in Wales. That would be a long haul for me. She’s got a flock of looms in a fibre studio, room built above a large 2 car garage. One of her looms is a compact eight shaft floor model. I covet that one but weaving would be one slippery slope too many for me at the moment.

Slide on in; the woolens are fine.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Renegade Sewist on November 06, 2020, 07:05:13 AM
Weaving is fun and basic weaving with lovely threads and yarns is beautiful. It's really very easy.

Warping is an entirely different matter.  :facepalm: People should hire themselves out to do the work.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 06, 2020, 09:08:09 AM
Don’t tell me about the warping, I spent ages warping a loom yesterday only to find an error on the positioning of a colour, luckily I was able to deal with it, it was on a rigid heddle loom so not quite so bad.

 Not sure I have the stamina to warp a large floor loom with very fines yarn but I would love to weave it. Probably lucky I don’t have a floor loom

Come on @Puzzler jjst a little loom maybe an Inkle, you can make very pretty edgings to sew on to things as well as belts straps etc
The world needs more weavers
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Puzzler on November 06, 2020, 10:26:30 AM
You naughty enabler @Celia. My friend had me prepare the warp yarns for a large floor loom. When it came to the actual warping, she took over. I just followed orders. I remember her showing me how to tie up the warp thread in bunches as a precaution should a cat come creeping up and wreak havoc.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on November 06, 2020, 12:47:35 PM
OK... talk to me about looms, what’s the difference between the Ashford Knitters loom and the ridged heddle looms?...what would I need if I want to weave all kinds of funky threads and fabrics?
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 06, 2020, 14:16:14 PM
The only difference is the knitters loom is foldable, it is in fact a rigid heddle.  It was marketed to try to encourage people who have a knitting stash to get into weaving.  I have an Ashford 12 inch knitters loom, it is lovely the way it folds but if I was buying again I don’t think I would pay the extra for it.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on November 06, 2020, 15:12:20 PM
Ooh, go on @Efemera  it would be good to have a beginner buddy when I get going.  If  I wasn't waiting for my sewing space to be built there would be a loom on the table right now and all because I made a jokey comment about Celia warping her inkle!
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on November 06, 2020, 15:29:19 PM
I'd love to learn to weave but know absolutely nothing about equipment or space needed.I'd have to start from scratch :thinking:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on November 06, 2020, 15:46:41 PM
I think I just might have  to ask Santa... do I need a 12” or a 16”?  @Celia
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on November 06, 2020, 15:51:50 PM
You and me both @Lowena   all you seem to need is a table to put your loom on provided it is a table loom of some type.  Have a wander down the rabbit hole that is the internet and look up rigid heddle weaving.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Puzzler on November 06, 2020, 17:14:23 PM
Is a knitters loom the same as a tapestry loom? That's what came to mind, @Efemera.

My weaving friend gets regular catalogues from this place. As it's in the US, for ogling purposes only unless you're in the US.

https://halcyonyarn.com/weaving/equipment/weaving-looms

I paid a visit to this place a couple of years ago when weaver friend came to visit.

https://www.handweavers.co.uk/
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 06, 2020, 17:20:14 PM
No a knitters loom is a rigid heddle loom not a tapestry loom. A good place to look is https://www.weftblown.com/ and look at there blog there is quite a good description of the different looms, they are also super helpful.
@Efemera  it really depends on the width of the fabric you want to make, 16 is quite a nice width but I like the 12 especially to learn on, I think it also depends on how much space you have
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Puzzler on November 06, 2020, 17:23:39 PM
Some of the same photos as on Halcyon site but price in ££££
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: mudcat on November 06, 2020, 18:01:35 PM
I'd love to learn to weave but know absolutely nothing about equipment or space needed.I'd have to start from scratch :thinking:

You can do it!   :thumbsup: 
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Renegade Sewist on November 07, 2020, 07:32:27 AM
I think I just might have  to ask Santa... do I need a 12” or a 16”?  @Celia

@Efemera 16" . Or bigger.  :)
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on November 07, 2020, 14:57:36 PM
OMG @Celia @Ploshkin @Efemera @Puzzler
I have just looked up small heddle looms . Even without extras they are £125+! :S
I wouldn't feel comfortable spending so much on myself so it's back to dreaming for a while :(
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: WendyW on November 07, 2020, 14:59:16 PM
Is it possible to weave any kind of pattern on a rigid heddle loom, or do they only do a basic weave?
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on November 07, 2020, 16:04:37 PM
 @Lowena I thought they were very reasonably priced (not the floor standing ones that are thousands) especially compared with sewing machines. 
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on November 07, 2020, 16:10:35 PM
I thought they were quite cheap...it’s on the Santa list... There’s no pockets in shrouds!
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on November 07, 2020, 16:32:39 PM
Cheap? :faints:
I'm afraid I couldn't justify spending that much money on myself. I already have a sewing machine and a Sissix.Not to mention any extra items which would be needed ( including  wool )
Still,I can dream :D
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on November 07, 2020, 16:41:57 PM
All you need to begin to weave is a wooden frame (stretcher bars from an art store work), something for warp, and something for weft. Wrap the warp in a figure eight pattern alternating around two ends of the frame. Start putting in weft yarn by going over and under the warp threads using either your fingers or a big needle. Tap the weft into place with the needle or a plastic fork. When you complete the weaving, leave enough warp at each end to tie over hand knots in pairs of warp threads for fringe.

If you like that process, then you can ease onto the slippery slope of more sophisticated looms. Weaving doesn't have to be intimidating or expensive. Some of my favorite pieces were done with grass and pine needles on forked branches I found on hikes. I spend an hour or so sitting on the ground weaving these little pieces, then hang them in a tree and walk away. 

Warping a Navajo loom is a peaceful process. Once started, you can't stop, though, and I make sure that folks know I'm out of reach for the duration. That's part of what makes it so peaceful. One of the things I like about this method of weaving is that the finish work is done first- no ends to tie off or weave back into the rug/saddle blanket/etc.

I teach beginning classes using a square wooden frame with notches cut into two sides to loop warp around. It's a nice simple loom. My husband makes them. The last batch was made from scraps of cherry he had laying around from a building project he did for a client a few years ago. The previous batch was made from alder, I think.  I've also seen frame looms with little nails for holding warp, but the nails weaken the wood and sometimes split it, so I'm not as fond of those. If I could figure out how to post photos, I'd provide some illustrations.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 07, 2020, 17:34:07 PM
@Lowena  I do agree with @BriarRose I have 2 home made Inkle looms that were made out of things that were already here, another way to start is something like this.  https://www.weftblown.com/collections/inkle-and-braid-looms/products/stoorstalka-band-weaving-kit-sunna-5?variant=31679805161519. 

Here is one of my Inkle
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on November 07, 2020, 18:01:59 PM
DD  has a friend who is a weaving tech and another who teaches weaving so she’s going to see if they have any equipment they might want to part with...
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on November 07, 2020, 18:33:47 PM
Another nail in my weaving coffin  :'( OH says I'd need another room  :'( and we don't have one spare  :'(
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on November 07, 2020, 19:01:55 PM
Why on earth would you need a room to weave on a small loom?..
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on November 08, 2020, 01:50:45 AM
Why on earth would you need a room to weave on a small loom?..

Future expectations.  :devil:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 22, 2020, 16:44:28 PM
Here is my latest weaving item, still needs pressing but I just wanted to photograph it before I forget
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on November 22, 2020, 16:59:00 PM
Lovely...
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on November 22, 2020, 17:15:17 PM
That looks lovely Celia.   Is it a cowl where you weave the finishing warp ends into the beginning warp ends?  I saw a pattern for one in my internet meanderings and was quite taken with it.  I will need to learn a bit about weaving first though!
What yarn have you used
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: coffeeandcake on November 22, 2020, 17:17:14 PM
That's lovely @Celia. I'm quite fascinated by weaving: it looks as though it's very therapeutic.
@Lowena if you're interested in doing something you should. Life's just too short not to unless it's something that that you really, really cannot afford to. As Efemera says shrouds don't have pockets.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ellabella on November 22, 2020, 17:25:28 PM
@Celia thats lovely, I’m very tempted but mustn’t start anything else that needs ‘stuff’!

I love the colours you’ve used, looks very warm and cosy.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on November 22, 2020, 17:32:23 PM
Very nice, Celia! The colors are lovely.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on November 22, 2020, 18:45:14 PM
True @coffeeandcake  but my children and grandchildren have pockets.......and needs
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 22, 2020, 22:30:15 PM
@Lowena it really doesn’t have to cost much if you are interested, one of my favourite looms is my little Inkle loom, mine was homemade but you can buy a small Inkle for about  £45.00.  I am doing a band on mine at the moment and will post a photo soon.

Thank you everyone for the comments and yes it is one of the cowls that are made all on the loom.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on November 23, 2020, 00:27:27 AM
Thank you @Celia I'll certainly give it some more thought. I'm really bad at not allowing myself to spend money on me, and I have long hankered after learning how to weave. :)
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Iminei on November 23, 2020, 09:14:57 AM
Beautiful .... What are you using ... wool?
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 23, 2020, 18:54:10 PM
Yes the cowl is made with a double knit wool, that’s one thing I love about weaving you can use all sorts of fibre
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: mudcat on November 23, 2020, 19:20:54 PM
I was supposed to do my four hour beginning weaving class on Wednesday but they asked me to reschedule so now it will be Friday the 11th of December.   :'(
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 24, 2020, 10:29:49 AM
@mudcat that is a shame when you are looking forward to something, never mind it will soon be December.  What sort of loom are you learning on.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: mudcat on November 24, 2020, 23:38:42 PM
@Celia it is the rigid heddle one.  This is to be my test as to whether or not I will take up weaving.  If I enjoy it I will most likely come home with some new equipment.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on November 25, 2020, 12:16:19 PM
As promised especially for you @Lowena  my latest weave on my Inkle, the trim is made from cotton and is for someone I used to work with who loves braids and trims etc it can also be used as bag handles.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on November 25, 2020, 13:25:00 PM
You're doing it again @Celia   I've been resisting the urge to get an inkle loom but the scales are tipping back the other way again.  :)  With the  lack of progress on our building I can't see me being able to get a table loom any time soon.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on November 25, 2020, 13:31:06 PM
That's lovely @Celia  However I know what OH would say....what are you going to do with that? :D
I'm not clever enough to make bags or anything that would use trim but it is very pretty and I am really tempted
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on November 25, 2020, 13:56:38 PM
Quote
However I know what OH would say....what are you going to do with that?
@Lowena I think my answer to that would be ' I don't know yet but I'm enjoying doing it.'

Actually, that is my reason for resisting the temptation (especially as I will definitely be getting a bigger loom)  but I could make bookmarks for everyone  and Celia mentioned curtain tiebacks.  I dont usually wear belts but I would if I made one and you could stitch narrower strips together to make glasses or phome cases though you can fo 4" wide on the full sized inkle looms  (2" on the inklettes I think).
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on December 02, 2020, 16:58:51 PM
Well, I've been and gorn and dunnit.
Frustrated by the prospect of not having loom space for several months yet I decided to get a small loom.  Then, by the time I have my new sewing room and space I will hopefully have had some experience of warping, weaving and yarns, learnt from my mistakes and be ready for bigger things.

So, I have an Ashford Sampleit 10" loom on its way  :)
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on December 02, 2020, 18:26:40 PM
I'm still tempted @Ploshkin and @Celia
But.... The price  :faints:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on December 02, 2020, 18:46:33 PM
@Ploshkin  absolutely brilliant I am sure you will learn a lot, the Ashford is a great way to start. Can’t wait to see your progress.
 Come on @Lowena Christmas is coming :devil:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Puzzler on December 02, 2020, 19:49:22 PM
Enjoy learning to weave, @Ploshkin
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on December 08, 2020, 09:47:30 AM
@Ploshkin has it arrived yet? I feel like I need some company in my weaving :loveit:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on December 08, 2020, 10:21:57 AM
@Celia DHL are supposed to be bringing it tomorrow  :)
I haven't got much but I've been digging out leftover knitting yarn for an initial try out.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on December 08, 2020, 13:05:11 PM
Good to hear :loveit:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on December 08, 2020, 15:31:41 PM
I need to finish up the first half of a woven bag this week and start on the second half. I'm using a plain old frame loom that I can carry around with me. The museum where I work is closing from 24 December until 4 January and I' looking forward to having uninterrupted time to weave during those days.

Condolences on having the weaving class postponed. I signed up for an intensive Navajo weaving course a year in advance only to have it cancelled by covid. It was being held in a town on the Navajo Reservation that was one of the hardest hit places in the nation. I let the enrollment ride and am hoping the course will take place in 2021. In all, I've been waiting four or five years to attend.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on December 08, 2020, 17:05:19 PM
@Celia my loom has just arrived, it was supposed to be delivered tomorrow  :D
Tomorrow will be spent putting it together.
@BriarRose I do hope you get to do the Navajo weaving course before too long.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on December 09, 2020, 15:21:05 PM
Today, I have waxed and assembled my loom.  The instructions are very good and it went together easily.  It would be useful if Ashford included a small pot of wax in the package as they advise sealing it with wax polish before assembly.  Fortunately I have some nice beeswax polish given to me by a fellow beekeeper.  Anyone coming into the house will think I've been cleaning  ;)
I've threaded it up with a short warp which seemed to go all right except that I spent half my time looking for the brown threading hook on the wooden table.
I haven't done any weaving yet, I'm not here tomorrow so it will have to wait.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on December 09, 2020, 16:10:52 PM
I'm agog :dance:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on December 09, 2020, 16:41:00 PM
Well done, I cent wait to see what you do and hear tales of weaving :loveit:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on December 09, 2020, 17:07:01 PM
@Celia I'm waiting to see pictures of your experimental weaving that you mentioned elsewhere earlier today!  I hope they are forthcoming.   :)
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: mudcat on December 10, 2020, 19:31:06 PM
Today I ended up postponing my Rigid Heddle class.  Our Covid rates sky rocked this week (right on schedule ~2 weeks after the Thanksgiving holiday) so I no longer felt comfortable being inside for four hours.  Since I already paid for the class they were very nice about it and put me on a list for when the spring schedule comes out. 
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on January 14, 2021, 14:37:54 PM
Here is my latest make
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Acorn on January 14, 2021, 14:58:04 PM
Wow!!   :loveit: 
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on January 14, 2021, 15:17:54 PM
What lovely neat edges @Celia... what loom is that?
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on January 14, 2021, 16:42:28 PM
I'm coveting the lovely, neat selvedges too  :)
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on January 14, 2021, 17:23:22 PM
Thank you the loom is a Schacht Cricket 10 inch, it is a really lovely loom to work on, I have it because it doesn’t need to be leaning against my stomach to work which some of the others do, I had an op many years ago which means that doing so gives me problems.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on January 14, 2021, 18:01:18 PM
How do you have the loom when you are using it @Celia ?  I've tried mine on mg lap with the notched back end wedged against the table but didn't like that at all.  I was working too close to my body.  I've got it clamped to the table and so far have been standing to use it  because i don't have a high enough seat.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on January 14, 2021, 18:05:50 PM
The cricket I can just put on the table without clamping and use or I can balance it on my lap if I sit with my feet up.  The 12 inch Ashford knitters loom that I have has to be used tipped up to the table, it is a lot longer than yours so you are not sitting so close to your work but it causes havoc with my stomach.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on January 14, 2021, 19:18:48 PM
I can’t decide between the 16” or the 20” Ashford ... I’m currently using the 32”...it’s a bit BIG!
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on January 14, 2021, 21:51:48 PM
We haven't seen pictures of what you're doing yet @Efemera   Just sayin'  ;)
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on January 14, 2021, 21:56:25 PM
Very nicely done, Celia.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on January 16, 2021, 15:04:06 PM
Here you go @Ploshkin ...mine is a 32” heddle...it’s far too big so I’ll be selling it and getting a smaller one. The weaving is about 16” and the yarn is lambs wool...just a bit finer than 4ply
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on January 16, 2021, 15:59:42 PM
Ooh, looking good @Efemera lovely neat selvedges.  I haven't used yarn as thin as that yet - working my way down to it  :). Whatcsize heddle are you using for that?
I'm interested that you say it is too big - confirms what I had thought.  I had settled on getting a 24" when I have the space for it.  My thinking was that I'm 5' 2" so my arm span will be about the same.  A 24" plus the same amount at each side to wield the shuttle is 72" so I should be able to do it from one spot.  I thought that if I went any bigger I would need to shuffle from side to side much of the the time.  I also thought that I could cause havoc waving a 32" shuttle about.
Really, I'd like to try before I buy but there's no chance of that round here.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on January 16, 2021, 17:10:38 PM
@Ploshkin ...it’s easier than I thought to use but I think weaving the full width would be better on a stand... as you say the shuttle for the 32” is enormous!...the heddle is a 12 dpi. I don’t think I’ll be weaving fine wool when I get a smaller one.. I wanted to weave fancy yarns which I think needs a 5 or 7dpi.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on January 16, 2021, 17:26:08 PM
I had planned on a stand for a 24"
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on January 16, 2021, 19:22:44 PM
I would have thought you'd need 32" or 3 6" to get a usable size panel. What could you make that's only 10 or 16" wide? ?
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on January 16, 2021, 21:48:47 PM
I'm a million miles from that stage yet but you can weave fabric double the width of the loom.  It is woven in 2 layers with a fold down one side.
My mission is to make a garment from something I have woven.  24" is ample to cut garment pieces from.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on January 16, 2021, 22:15:14 PM
Really,is it? I'm surprised  :S
My friend made a dress from wool that she spun, dyed and then wove  :S
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on January 17, 2021, 07:30:13 AM
Quote
Really,is it? I'm surprised  :S
Do you mean surprised that I want to weave fabric for a garment?  @Lowena   or that 24" is ample?

It's simply that I enjoy the process of garment making.  I'm (so far) enjoying the process of weaving and I like to produce practical things.  I'm not into decorative stuff and frippery and I enjoy the challenge of doing something I've never done before.  I may never do it again but I'm going to give it a go.

You couldn't cut any garment from 24" but there are plenty of things that could be cut from that - no part of my body has a circumference of anything like 48" so I should be able to get a front or back out of 24'.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Efemera on January 17, 2021, 09:09:22 AM
https://creativeweaving.wordpress.com/page/2/
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Silver Rose on January 17, 2021, 09:21:03 AM
Thanks for that link @Efemera , I was wondering about how wide the cloth would have to be to make a garment. I am more and more intrigued with weaving.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on January 17, 2021, 09:24:10 AM
Thank you for that link it is brilliant @Efemera I shall be lost now down another rabbit hole :loveit: :loveit:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Lowena on January 17, 2021, 10:16:31 AM
Not surprised at the garment making @Ploshkin I know you're very accomplished. I thought any fabric would have to be at least 36" wide to be of any use . I didn't know it would be doubled.
Didn't mean to insult your ability or size, I'm just ignorant :|
I'm still interested in getting a loom but won't comment any more and show myself up :|
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on January 17, 2021, 11:37:22 AM
No @Lowena you are not showing yourself up at all (where's that finger wagging emoji)
It would be extremely rare to get commercially produced cloth anything less than 36" (I think I might have had some handwoven Harris Tweed a tad narrower about 40 years ago) and you are not a garment maker so there is no reason for you to have ever considered what width of cloth might be needed for a garment.  Until a couple of weeks ago I had absolutely no idea whatsoever that you could weave double cloth on a simple loom, I've just come across it in my weaving googlings.
I didn't interpret what you said as an insult to my ability or size at all - I simply put down my thought process on the matter - I may very well come unstuck when I actually try and do it  :) 
When I am teaching (beekeeping) I am always glad of the people who are willing to ask questions, even the most basic ones, because I am sure that there are others sitting there who were wondering the same thing but didn't like to ask and are grateful that someone else has.
So carry on asking but I know very little about this weaving lark so blind leading the blind comes to mind  :D  Fortunately there are others who know much more than me.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on January 17, 2021, 17:55:35 PM
Somewhere I have a pattern for a medieval dress made from narrow widths of fabric with no an inch of fabric wasted due to the way the pieces were cut. The fabric cut from the skirt to curve the hem was used to make the bell sleeves. Very clever. The Irish bog coat is another classic garment made from handwoven fabric with minimum cutting/waste. Folkwear Patterns out of North Carolina in the USA offers a Kinsale cloak pattern with a version designed for people who don't want to cut handwoven fabric.  I made one from non-handwoven fabric and it was an amazingly warm garment. Alas, alas, the wool moths got it.  :headbang: :boohoo: Cloak (https://www.folkwear.com/products/207-kinsale-cloak?variant=35448059534)
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on September 13, 2021, 13:13:40 PM
I've dug up this old thread so that the loom information is in one place.
I've been and gorn and dunnit again @Celia
Having thought I was settled on a 24" Ashford Rigid Heddle loom you sent me round the loop again with the link to the Schacht looms.  I had been looking at those previously.  I think I was prevaricating a bit because I was unsure of the 24" width.  Having done a small amount on my  10" loom I was thinking that 24" shuttles might be a bit unwieldy so I have gone for a compromise and have just ordered a 20" Schacht Flip loom.  I see from earlier in this thread that you have one Celia.  I will never need its folding function but I like the fact that it has additional cloth beams and would think those make for better tension.  An added bonus is that I won't have to put it together and wax it  :) I have also seen only very good reviews of Schacht stuff.
If I decide I want to go larger I will have a table loom.
So, I will await Mr Hermes or DPD or Fedex or a.n. other
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on September 13, 2021, 14:27:02 PM
 :dance:I am so pleased @Ploshkin I am sure you will like it, I love mine and you are right the cloth beams make all the difference, did you go for the floor stand too, I don’t have it but have been tempted.

I am as excited as you I am sure, can’t wait to see what you make. :loveit:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on September 13, 2021, 14:43:00 PM
Yes, I have ordered a stand.  I ordered the loom from Weft Blown but they don't have any stands in stock so I have got one from George Weil.  It's a lot more expensive than the Ashford but I have only seen good reports of the quality.  I'm looking forward to using it  :)
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on September 13, 2021, 14:53:03 PM
Weftblown are lovely they helped me a lot with all sorts of information. I  live near George Weil     and they are fine if you know what you want but not good on information and no help when you can’t make up your mind, I don’t feel they have the knowledge as they sell so many things but of course great for your stand.

Do let me know how you get on with the stand, him in doors was going to build me one,  so I just might buy one. I do have a table that I can use it with so I am still thinking.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on September 17, 2021, 12:57:52 PM
@Ploshkin have you seen these https://youtu.be/wiNAdQfUPhY. There are 2 and another promised.  I am still on my kitchen towel something called a mug rug has got in the way  :devil:
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on September 17, 2021, 16:45:18 PM
Thanks @Celia
I have managed to get my new loom set up on the stand.  The quality of the wood is lovely.  I have a couple of things I'm hoping to make now that I have more weaving width but have also thought that it would be good weaving practice to replace my stock of tea towels that are probably all at least 20 years old!
Where do you get your cottons from?  I have come across My Fine Weaving Yarn but not had anything from there yet.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on September 17, 2021, 17:55:57 PM
I used knitting yarn as mine were really kitchen towels rather than tea clothes.  This is what I used https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/drops-paris-all-colours.  I have also got some from Weft Blown and George Weil.
Can’t wait to see what you are doing, photo of the loom on its stand would be great if you have time.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on October 01, 2021, 10:04:06 AM
Do I buy a floor stand for my 20 inch RH loom, @Ploshkin, how easy is it to put the loom on and off, I am concerned that if I have to leave it up my cat will use it as a bed :laughing:  what do you think.  Have you got anything started yet?
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on October 01, 2021, 15:29:32 PM
@Celia its easy peasy to put on the stand.  It is lower than I envisaged, I can sit on a normal height dining chair - I don't know why I thought it would be higher.
Frustratingly, I've not had a single minute to try out the loom but i have the yarn now for something and will hopefully get some weaving going by next week.  You can angle the loom which I think will feel comfortable.  I've just looked and between use you could change the angle to almost vertical without removing the loom from the stand or disturbing the weaving.  That would put paid to the cat sleeping on it ( though they can sleep in some precarious and impossible places!)
Ill take a couple of pictures so that you can see.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on October 01, 2021, 15:54:59 PM
@Ploshkin thank you, I think it is definitely something in my future.  I have talked myself out of several purchases lately but I do think this could be a good idea
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Ploshkin on October 01, 2021, 15:57:05 PM
@Celia Here is my loom on the stand. (I should have left the chair there).  It wasn't a cheap thing!
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

This is as far as it tilts - not quite vertical but should deter a cat.  Also handy I would think if you wanted it to take up a bit less space.  It's just a case of loosening the 3 knobs on each side.
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on October 01, 2021, 20:17:04 PM
Thank you @Ploshkin that does help me, I hope you get to use it soon.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Renegade Sewist on October 02, 2021, 00:55:32 AM
I think going vertical only changes it from a cat bed to a scratching post. At least with my wicked felines that is the likely outcome.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on October 02, 2021, 11:27:03 AM
@Renegade Sewist Ooch I hadn’t thought about that  :facepalm:  My trouble is the downstairs  of my house is open plan, well it is to the cat as the only door is to the kitchen but there is a big opening she can just jump through from the main room, think like a large hatch.

Might have to keep thinking, the knitting machine might be under threat
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on October 02, 2021, 17:02:49 PM
I have an upright Navajo loom. I hesitate to mention it since I might jinx myself, but thus far it hasn't been a target of cat marauding, perhaps because the weaving isn't solidly secured and doesn't offer the necessary resistance for good clawing, like a sofa or post. Be that as it may, I keep the kitties out of the loom room if I'm not there with them. My old girl who died last year never bothered it but I don't quite trust the others.

Almost done with my current project that got put on the back burner during gardening season. One or two productive afternoons should finish it then I can warp the saddle blanket to work on this winter. I'm also going to order mohair and see what I can do with the cinch loom my husband made me last winter. If I can turn those out pretty regularly, the local tack store will take whatever I make.
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on October 02, 2021, 17:17:47 PM
@BriarRose any chance of soMe pictures, I have never seen either of these types of loom and I am always interested in all sorts of fibre use
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on October 06, 2021, 22:07:38 PM
@BriarRose any chance of soMe pictures, I have never seen either of these types of loom and I am always interested in all sorts of fibre use

Sorry for the delayed reply, Celia. Been offline with a new grandbaby in an area with no reception.

I don't belong to any photo sharing site so apparently can't post my loom photos here, but here are some links to photos of looms belonging to other people:

Loom explanation (https://www.cnch.org/cnchnet/summer-2011/navajo-patterns-and-tools/)

Scroll down (https://www.permanentstyle.com/2021/07/the-craft-history-and-beauty-of-navajo-blankets.html)

One more diagram (https://statemuseum.arizona.edu/online-exhibit/19-century-navajo-weaving-asm/navajo-weaving-methods)
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: Celia on October 07, 2021, 14:13:26 PM
Thank you for the info, the patterns on the Navajo weaving look lovely
Title: Re: Looms and Weaving in General
Post by: BriarRose on October 07, 2021, 18:40:25 PM
I don't get very fancy with designs. The twilled rugs and saddle blankets are marvels of skill but I'd lose both my mind and my eyesight doing twilling.

My loom is most like the loom on the left hand side of this photo (https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x8724dee9753c0c2b%3A0x14f00883fbcb59fd!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMNWhukjKEA9ags3Vre86RmPpFC7X1cxlGVLOcM%3Dw86-h87-n-k-no!5snavajo%20rugs%20gallup%20nm%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipMNWhukjKEA9ags3Vre86RmPpFC7X1cxlGVLOcM&hl=en) of Weaving in Beauty in Gallup, NM. Mary Walker runs the place and she is a generous fountain of information and aid. I took an online course from her that was amazingly helpful. When I got sick on the third class, I called her to say I'd attend but wasn't well enough to weave. She told me she felt like she could catch what I had just from listening to me, for me to go to bed, and she'd let me start the course over when the new class began the next month. No extra charge, just turn up and start again.