Thank you for your well-thought-out, informative, nicely executed presentation. So many variables to consider! After starting with (and still retaining) rigid heddle looms, I envisioned getting a 4-shaft floor loom. An 8-shaft Louet David became available on a used loom site and I jumped at the chance to get it. A fun bonus is that it is a special edition, made of cherry wood. My heart melts every time I think about it, walk past it, and weave with it. In my postage stamp size space, I love that I can fold and secure the back beam in for an even smaller footprint. I have used 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 shafts for projects. I love having 8 shafts in my “back pocket” even though I rarely use all 8. I love to use 6 shafts to combine plain weave with 4-shaft vertical twill bands. (4 shafts are adequate for combining plain weave and 4-shaft twill patterns horizontally.) Amazingly, 4 shafts are also adequate for a complex beautiful overshot pattern: “Lee’s Surrender.” Best of Success, Mighty Weavers❣️
Oh, I dream of the baby wolf, it's so lovely. *sigh* My best tip if you're very new to weaving is to see if there is a local weaving guild and if they rent looms out. I rented a table loom from my guild and taught myself how to weave - confirmed that I loved it and then found a funny little floor loom on craigslist to buy that fit into my tiny apartment. But it was nice to have that rented loom for a bit to see if weaving was really an interest worth putting money into for me. :) Also: NEW LOOM FOR YOU! YAY!
I do have a weaving loom, initially I was going to wait and save until further on my fiber journey. I saw a listing on Craigslist at a price point that was hard to believe. When I went to pick it up the owner threw in a broken spinning wheel for free. With minimal repairs the spinning wheel was up and running. I have since been on the road to refurbishment. Can’t wait until the 31st when the last of the replacement parts comes in.
Well said! It took me over 8 years to finally get a floor loom that I have always wanted; a Louet David. A big factor for me was size, it had to be compact enough to fit in a 2 bedroom flat, noise level was my other factor, it had to be quiet, very quiet as I want to respect my neighbours and never give them a chance to complain that there is noise coming from my flat, these were my two main considerations. I particularly chose the David because I love Louet products, I love their philosophy etc, and I love the idea of sinking shed Jack loom, just makes more sense to me. My only small, tiny regret was not getting the 90, but the 70 is fine. In my case I also got many accessories all in the same month of buying the loom, i.e. EF shuttles for example. I am hoping to retire early, so I feel I need to purchase these items with "earned income" vs a fixed retirement income in a few years. I love the entire weaving process, I love some of the process more than the other, like using a warp board, and so I plan on investing in a warping mill instead. I hate fringing as well, so I don't make long fringe, but very short fringe which is also traditional in my culture.
That is fantastic. Congrats on the Louet David... it's such a lovely loom to sit at. Sometimes I thought I should have gone with the narrower Spring so that it's more compact... haha there's never just one and only one "right" loom. And yeah, I felt the same about using a warping board too for a while... but now that I've gotten into a routine of where I put my warping board, I feel like I can get into a rhythm with using it... whereas, I'm trying to figure out where and how to store my horizontal warping mill. LOL thanks for watching!!!
@@sweetgeorgia So true, there is always the "I wonder now..." Maybe that's what I need to do with my warping board, move it to a new area to see if it changes things, right now there is too much swearing going on near it LOL! I also have the smallest Leclerc one, which feels cramped. We'll see, I have my eye on the Ashford warping mill, it's affordable and I love their products too, well made.
The more I learn about weaving the more I respect the wisdom of the dear lady that helped me pick out my first loom. I live in an apartment so space was an issue. My project interest pretty much was to try a bit of everything from small projects to yardage for sewing. On her advice I bought an 8 shaft baby wolf with a 10 dent reed. Initially I was really worried about it being only 26 inches. For clothing that is narrow and that reed is pretty wide gaps I thought. I have since learned so much more like multiple threads in the dent and double weave/double wide weaving. Really there isn't much I can't do on the loom. Mine is on casters so I can move it around easily. The importance of doing the research and getting help from someone with experience really cannot be overstated. TY for putting your process out there to help others.
Wonderful video. I have 3 looms and still I was interested in your presentation. I learned how to weave about 10 years ago. Our classes ended with the recession in the states. I was without access for over 5 years, my family had moved away. When we moved back to our old location, I looked forward to returning to class. Alas, my teacher had retired, some of the looms had been auctioned off, while the rest were gathering dust in storage. So, I volunteered to teach classes without a clue what to do. It didn't take long before a couple of my old classmates showed up looking for studio space. I was delighted, they all were far more experienced and I offered to assist them for refresher lessons and information. We only had (5) 4 shaft floors looms and 1 Navajo loom, I was in heaven. Fortunately, the students that showed up felt intimidated by the floor looms, so I was able to convince the director to purchase a couple of rigid heddles. Sadly, our Art Center has been closed again, this time they auctioned off all of the remaining looms, except for the new ones. I was able to bid on the auction and purchase a beautiful 4 shart loom.
Those advice are so, so great. I'm a little bit sorry, that I found this video today and not when I was in the process of buying my first loom. I own two Kromski Harp weaving Looms - 16" and 32". I bought the bigger loom first because I thought that I need more versatile loom assuming I end up only with one piece. But then I realize that big loom requires standing while weaving with my set up - it is just to big to hold on my lap and i don't have space for floor stand. So I bought smaller one and I'm perfectly happy with it. I love weaving because of the speed of the process comparing to knitting. Also I'm driven by color and texture - complicate structure is just not for me. And rigid heddle loom gives me simplicity - even without any classes, books or previous experience I was able to successfully start weaving. I love the process and I'm able to experiment with weaving aspects I enjoy without worrying about anything else.
My introduction to weaving was in 2010. I decided to learn how to design tartans. After 12 years of tartan study and design, I think I'm ready to learn how to weave.
Thank you! Your video helped me decide on a rigid heddle loom. I'm autistic, and we like to stim. I discovered weaving, knitting and tatting as a healthy way to stim.
Before I bought my first loom, my friend told me that she had heard that I "should buy the widest loom I could afford," since I couldn't "invent" width. I think that logic may be true if you have one loom....I started with a new 32" 4-shaft Ashford table loom, and I loved it but sold it when I got a used 32" 8-shaft Gilmore floor loom; I loved that for many years but I sold it when I found a used 4-shaft Baby Wolf loom; I sold the BW when I had a chance to get a used 8-shaft Mighty Wolf loom. I found I like to have 8 shafts (although I rarely use all of them) because when I want to do plain weave, I usually use a rigid heddle loom. Most of my looms I've bought used, and I've found that the re-sale value of looms remains pretty good as long as one takes care of the loom. I currently have my "dream" floor loom (the 8-shaft Schacht Mighty Wolf); an 8-shaft Louet Jane, which is a nice portable table loom, good for classes and travel; a Schacht Cricket rigid heddle loom to use knitting yarns and hand-spun in quick scarves and projects; a 26" Schacht Flip for prayer shawls; an Inkle loom and small pin looms. I probably don't need all of the looms, but it's a nice collection for different purposes.
This has been very informative. I purchased a tabletop loom at the Ashford factory in New Zealand when I was there 3 years ago. It is still in its original packaging. I’ve been afraid to get started. Now I’ve been told I have severe arthritis in my hand and my knitting days are growing less. It’s time to try something else. You are giving me the courage to jump in and get started. Some have suggested knitting machines, but they sound even more scary. 😄
Excellent video for someone looking for a loom. My first was a used Schact Table loom 4 shaft; it worked great but I wanted a floor loom so got a Leclerc 4 Shaft 36" and it was used. Then I kept thinking 8 shaft and I heard Schact made really good looms, it would have a very wide shed. The shed was very important to me. I figured just upgrade and get the 8 shaft. I still own this loom and it is my favorite. I then bought an 8" Strucco 4 Shaft table loom for sampling and I love this. I then thought why not get an 8" 8 Shaft Stucco table loom. I did some advanced weaves and decided I really like twill. So I sold my Lecler and 8 shaft 8" STrucco. I own a 8 shaft Woof and a 4 shaft table loom 8" wide. Now my journey for RH looms: My first RH was a 32" Ashford. I sold that then went and got a cricket 10" sold that, then got a cricket 15" sold that. I now own a Kromski Harp 16" wide. WOW!!! what a weaving history I have.
All great tips! Buying a loom can be daunting for someone just starting out and trying them first can be a real challenge depending on where you live. I think the main thing is to get something. It doesn’t have to be your ‘forever’ loom. I started with a rigid heddle and in 6 months bought a used 45” 4 shaft counterbalance and 4 years later I still love it. Fine linen, silks, rugs, blankets it does it all. Do I wish I had 8 shafts? Sometimes, but 4 is keeping me plenty busy.
I love what you said about preparing to make a project on a loom. For me each part is a pleasure, even twisting fringe. But when I first got my 8 shaft 36 inch Ashford, I couldn’t get to the weaving part fast enough. I found the warping horrible and tedious and time consuming. But really, once weaving, I found that that was also pretty repetitive. I have grown to enjoy the whole process, however long each part of it takes.
I had a 32" rigid heddle that I never used, I gave it away and now have 2 inkle looms and a narrow box loom. right now I am working on weaving a piece of trim that will be about 5 yards long and is about 1 1/8" wide. I love my Inkle. I can pick it up with one hand and take it with me, position it wherever I want etc. Between table weaving, baltic pickup, and simple plainweave bands I am not going to run out of things to do on them for a very long time. (they are also pretty cheap, my 3 looms all cost about $100 or less each brand new from a small craftsman)
I must say this was a very helpful video-and one that would have been helpful for me 5 years ago when I purchased my big loom, or even years before when I first got interested in weaving and purchased my Rigid Heddle loom. My main loom (I have 6 I believe) is an 8 shaft LeClerc Artistat loom (36” width). Prior to it I had a Kromski Harp (32”) RH. I used it without the stand. I chose my LeClerc because I wanted a loom that had the most possibilities to explore different kinds of weaving, but also that could be in my fiber studio. I knew that I wanted to make dish towels, scarfs, shawls, blankets, but wanted the possibility to weave an occasional rug. I knew that I didn’t need 45” because 32” felt a bit overwhelming at times for me. 36” felt fine, knowing if I wanted to do something 60” I could do a double weave. Finally, I knew I wanted 8 shafts, because I live for creative possibilities. 4 felt too limiting for things I was interested in, and more than 8 raised me above size of loom I wanted (floor) for cost I could afford. I am beyond happy with my Artistat. I love that I can get parts easily, there is a robust community, the loom is still in production, and there isn’t much I want to do that I can’t do. In fact, I can’t think of anything I cannot do on my loom. Now, I also dabble in tapestry weaving-and that is another rabbit hole, as is spinning-which has taken me down another wonderful rabbit hole. This was very helpful, even for an experienced weaver. 🙂
Thank you so much for your reply!! Oh I’m so glad to hear you found a loom that serves your creativity and fits your life. Yes, 36” is right in that zone that feels big but not overwhelming and that still can weave all the things. And hahah yes there are so many rabbit holes, but I like to think that all the rabbit holes are connected and that they actually all go to the same place 🥰😆
Thank you so much for this video! As a subscriber to your channel, and a regular watcher, I really appreciate your attention to so many issues that face fiber artists. I have been working with a rigid heddle loom, which I love, for a couple of years. Now I’ve come to find a local person on Craig’s List selling a used Leclerc floor loom for an amazing price. So I especially appreciate your tips on how to KNOW what to look for. Thanks so much!
Thank you, so much I love the way you explain and clarifying of how too!. My first Loom is combining next week and it's the Ashford table folding #24 4shaft. I am, so exited and can't wait to start weaving the fabric for my clothes just like my hero "mahatma Gandhi".
I agree with your comment about loving each part of the process, “ except “ twisting fringe. I agree. that part is time consuming and my least favorite!
I had tried weaving and wanted to do more so with a small budget I bought an 8” wide loom and have made 3 scarves from it. The cost was my biggest factor, as the 32” wide one was $300+ and mine was $80. However now I have loom envy because I would like to weave a fine shawl and would need to go up to the $300 model, which didn’t save me anything now. I agree with your video to buy what you think you want to get to and not only what your budget will allow for. I’m on the lookout for a 32” loom (I’d like to have a 4/8 shaft one too) now with a stand so I can stop hunching over the dining room table.
I never planned on weaving, my limit was going to be spinning and knitting. But I was at an auction and there was a Union 36 loom that no one was bidding on. I couldn’t see it going into the dumpster or worse yet a burn pile. I bid and now weaving rugs on it. I recently started teaching my niece to weave rugs. It is a simple 2 harness loom that weaves beautiful rugs. I have since purchased 2 Ashford ridged heddle looms to weave tea towels.
That’s amazing that you rescued a loom! AND that you started weaving on it too. I feel you, I never anticipated weaving being a part of my life either… but here we are 😆💗
It included all of the shuttles, warp thread, 2 warp racks. I just got a temple to replace the homemade weighted temple. Now, I want to get a tension box for winding on the warp.
Great video and information. When I was a kid we wove pot holders on a simple frame loom with premade fabric loops. When I was in the 5th or 6th grade my art teacher did a weaving section using a twelve inch by four inch frame loom with us that required cotton string and yarn and a popsicle stick as a shuttle. When I was in my 30's I visited a historic living village and became entranced by a floor heddle loom. Now that I am semi-retired I am interested into getting back into the arts.
Very interesting! As you described the purchase of a loom in terms of the space AROUND the loom I started to realize table looms have a particular attractiveness. Thanks the the helpful insights.
I had a floor loom for years and rarely used it due to the “I haven’t got time to warp it” factor. I got a Cricket 15” one month ago, and am in love with how easy/quick it is to warp. I just ordered a Kromski 24” harp forte, so I will have the portability, but a wider weaving width. I see a floor loom in my future, but I work full time, and the rigid heddle suits what I want right now. Would love a Baby Wolf when I do get to that point in the future!
Thank you for your videos:) This one got me really excited. My grandmother gave me looms from her retired weaving business. One of them is a really old 36" 4-shaft LeClerc Counterbalance. I didn't have room for her warping mill, and I needed help to warp it, then once I'd have it set up my toddler would be hauling on it, so two months ago I bought a 24" Ashford rigid heddle loom and I love it. Because it is so easy to warp, I have already made many more projects than I have on the LeClerc. But having said that, I also like motion of throwing the shuttle and such, so I will use both for different things.
This helped me realize that I want to weave rugs, and it’s more important for me to weave small rugs on a small loom (because of space and costs prohibiting a large rug loom) than to weave other things on a small loom. I’m not really interested in weft or warp-faced rugs such as Navajo so that makes it more difficult to find a suitable loom. So I’ll try to find a small loom for that other than my rigid heddle. I don’t think that’s going to scratch the itch long term. So I guess I can save up for a small Harrisville or other little 4-shaft loom which can handle a rug.
Thank you! This was very helpful. I have a 15 inch cricket that I love, but would like to weave baby blankets. I am considering a schacht flip or biting the bullet and getting a floor loom instead. This gave me a better way of making a choice.
WOW! Thank you this was really helpful. I really resonated with your story at the beginning! I feel part of my spiritual awakening is becoming a weaver too :) I first bought a small frame loom and played with it a little. Then I went to weaving classes in Los Angeles where I worked with a Saori loom. I bought that loom after my second, and only, class! lol I haven't really learned how to use it and haven't used it much since. I did pick up the back strap loom with I have been loving. I feel more connected to my ancestors when I weave with it but I'm excited to learn more about all things weaving and plant dyes!
I have a small 4shaft jack loom and three rigid heddle looms. They’re all awesome, but I’ve wanted a larger multi shaft loom for a long time. Unfortunately, I have issues with physical fatigue, and I’m really limited on what I can do. I’ve been watching your videos, and I’ve managed to switch my mentality from wanting a big, complicated countermarche loom to seriously considering a counter balance loom. Thanks for the help. You don’t always know you’re reaching people, but I consider your experiences very valuable. I want to weave all the things, but I can’t. It’s not as big a problem when I can consider real life options. Thanks so much!
thank you for this very well thought out advice on buying a loom. I have a few RH looms and love them all and am very impressed with what they can do. I have been thinking about a floor loom lately. so glad you pointed out desires and constraints.
Thank you so much for your videos I really appreciate You doing them and going through the trouble of posting it it has helped me out tremendously so I thank you very much
im the giant wall hangings, the type that takes a whole studio. that and restarting the textile industry in canada, not the cheap fabric but the spectacular high end oooohhhh cloth. at almost 60 i might not see it done but i hope to get things started.
I have a 32 inch 8 shaft Ashford Table loom with stand. I originally bought a 24" but was not satisfied with the width. On the 32" i can do a double weave and make a 56" blanket with it. Its compact, i can fold it up and put it in a closet when its not in use. My 6 year old daughter is learning to weave on the 24" and loves it.
One year in summer school I weaved using cardboard and I remember seeing the American Girl doll weaving loom in the catalog I want to try startting with kid version kit that's affordable for me I want to jusr make fun doll sized blankets ,scarfs,rugs and maybe make something as big as the whole loom and make a scarf for me
This is so helpful. I have a 24 inch schacht flip and am just exploring weaving. I ultimately want something bigger to do things like mohair throws, linens, waffle weave and twills. But there is no local place to try things out. So for now I’m enjoying what I have and dreaming
I have an Ashford Rigid heddle loom. I bought it just to see if I like weaving and because I am a spinner. I saw weaving is a great way to use up art yarn. I have just recently purchased a Katie loom to try weaving more intricate patterns with shafts and if I like it I’m thinking about buying an Ashford Jack loom.
This is such a helpful video! I am about to recieve a free 1960 Cherryville counterbalance loom in a completely dismantled state. I have never woven before, but am excited to start! This has helped me to understand where I might head with my new loom and what to consider for my next loom... Because the correct number of any type of craft supplies is (n + 1) :)
Wow, you are just amazing, so thoughtful and well spoken. Thank you so much for this video. I want a 4-shaft floor loom so much but fear loom must is affecting my decision ( and fear if overspending) I now have a lot to think about, ugh, not an easy decision.
It's not an easy decision... but I think once you start weaving on one loom, you'll develop preferences and perspectives that you wouldn't otherwise be able to get... and that will inform decisions for the next loom. I guess what I'm saying is whatever you decide doesn't have to be the "forever" solution. I can be "for now". And hopefully that relieves some of the burden of making the decision 😊
My grandma used to weave massive blankets and had huge wooden loom in her bedroom. I wish I asked her to teach me this craft and I wish we kept the loom in the family after she passed away.
Great video! My entry into weaving started with a small antique rigid heddle loom at a thrift store. It was €2.50, I knew it was a loom but my weaving knowledge stopped there. I bought it figuring it was so cheap if I ended up never using it it wasn’t a big loss. I posted on a weaving group on Ravelry to inquire what type of loom it was and got some great information, but it took me another 4 months or so to work up to courage to warp it. Once I got going I loved it. It was only about 10” wide, so just wide enough for scarves and I made 7 scarfs on that little loom. In the meantime I did find a bargain table loom on a second hand website. It was a 4 shaft loom, and I did try it, I changed the heddles and started a test project on it, but that’s as far as I got. I just wasn’t loving it, I can’t really explain why. Several months, maybe almost a year later, I bought an Ashford Knitters Loom from a local weaving store. I got to test it first and I did really like it, it was quite an upgrade from the little thrift store loom, which had no proper way to advance the warp (wing nuts you had to loosen and tighten every time) and was limited in width. The knitters loom is great for taking on holiday, throwing on a quick warp and use it on my height adjustable desk. That same weaving shop organized a tour of the Louet factory (yes, I’m in the Netherlands!) and showroom which I thought, oh, that would be nice to see, with no intention whatsoever to buy a loom, I went. There I just fell head over heals for the Jane table loom. I tried some of the floor looms as well but they didn’t feel right to me. Rationally I also really didn’t want a floor loom, I’m a multi crafter including painting, scrapbooking, all kinds of different things that take up space and I need to be able to switch easily from one thing to another, I just wouldn’t have the space for a floor loom and the idea of it didn’t attract me either, I don’t want to do production type weaving, I would like to weave some blankets but I also love doing scarves, and one craft doesn’t hold my attention for that long, I keep switching around, so big projects are far less likely to ever get finished. But besides that, it was such a strong feeling, I just couldn’t drag myself away from the Jane, whilst the other looms I tried didn’t have that hold on me. Because I hadn’t had any intention to buy a loom when I went there, I decided to not make an impulsive decision, it was after all quite an investment. So I went home to let it simmer. The weaving shop that organized the tour gave the attendees a voucher for a discount that was valid for another month, so I had some time. After a few weeks I still really wanted to get that Jane. So I went for it. I was grateful for the wait, it gave me some time to research, and a weaver on Instagram happened to post a photo of her using the Jane in her garden, using the stand which I originally hadn’t intended to get, I was going to use the loom on my height adjustable desk. But that made me rethink the stand and I got that too, and shortly after I was sitting in the garden weaving my first Jane project. Unfortunately due to various circumstances I had to fold away the Jane a while ago and I’m still in the process of creating a proper place for her in my studio. I don’t have a lot of time to get things in order so it’s slow going but I think about it a lot, I really want to get back behind my Jane. I would say always try to figure out if you can somehow try out the loom you think you want or need. Like you said, you love the feeling of the beater, that type of loom is what feels right to you, the Jane felt so right to me, even though I do like the rigid heddle looms too. It is really important that using the loom feels right.
This is amazing. What a love story!! Even though you had to put the loom away for now, with this kind of passion for the loom, I have no doubt it will come out when the time is ready and make you very, very happy. And how lucky of you to have a tour of Louet!!! That would be so interesting.
I love your looming room so cool. I want to get a kid version similar to the Melisa and Doug brand or something similar to the one that American Girl doll had sold for their historical doll joesafina from 1997- early 2000s that I could recreate the one that American Girl doll had for the historical doll without buying it from eBay for 2x-3x the cost
I've been thinking about my Goldilocks loom for the last 6 months. I do not want to be buying and selling looms constantly, so I've been taking my time trying to figure out what I actually want. I've come back to your video a few times. I wanted 8 shafts, and after working on a couple of jack looms realized that I didn't really find them comfortable. The treadling felt a little heavy, and it seemed noisier than I was comfortable with living in a condo. I wanted a weaving width in the mid-30 inch range. I had a price I was comfortable with for a new loom. It took me this long to decide on a 100cm Oxaback Lilla. It just checks all my boxes. Size-check. Quiet-check. Ease of treadling-check. I'm very hopeful that I've made a good choice for me. I expect a learning curve, and that's ok. I have a rigid heddle loom for weaving in my living room quietly with other people around. I have a table loom where I'll never be limited by number of treadles. Now I'll have a floor loom that gives me the additional width I've been craving with much more capacity to hold a long warp. I can't ask for more.
Thank you for knowledge of weaving looms. I crochet and knit and everything in-between but I haven't tried weaving yet which is my next goal. I'm ready for it but I'm definitely confused on which loom to get. I'm really leaning towards a heddle loom but I want one where I can go up to a size of a shawl to start with. At least be able to make scarves, placemats and so on to start and then go from there. I would appreciate any suggestions you have. I would have loved to take your classes but I live in Ontario. Thank you for everything
This was so helpful. I'm fairly new to weaving--just got a 15" Schacht Cricket rigid heddle loom--but I've already got the bug (sorry for the terrible pun!). I see that there is a beautiful used 4-harness table loom at an astoundingly low price locally for sale, and I have been wanting it so badly, but I'm not even sure if I'd like that kind of loom. But what I really want to do is use my handspun to weave cloth that I can use to sew clothing--three of my passions rolled into one final outcome. BUT with the colorful yarns I'm weaving I don't really know that I'll ever want to do anything but plain weave. But maybe I will. I mean, it's just $200 but it's adding something relatively large to an already overstuffed house. LOL. It's so hard to decide. :D This helps though. So, thank you!
I have been weaving on Ashford's Knitter's Loom for 2 years now and I love it, but I feel it is time to move up to a small floor loom. I have been looking at the Baby Wolf and just found the Harrisville 4 shaft six treadle loom and was just about sold on it when I came across your video describing the differences between counter balance, countermarche and jack looms. Now I have a lot more to consider. Those two, I believe, are jack looms and I would like to see if there are some countermarche and counter balance looms that are about the same size as those two. (I like the idea of a larger shed.) Thank you for such informative videos and offering me more to think about. (I also love your sweater and would love to make it)
For sure! I just talked to another weaver who is getting Leclerc to make a 27” wide Mira counterbalance loom and I know Glimakra makes beautiful countermarche looms in much narrower widths as well. Good luck with your search!
you are so informative and very pleasant to listen to. I love your presentation and .... i love all things fiber arts. Thank you for all the helpful info
This was very comprehensive, and gave me a lot of thoughts. I want to weave a variety of things but am dream to silks and cottons. I have a rigid heddle loom and a 4 shaft loom that someone was giving away. I still need to set it up and am a little (a lot) intimidated by warping.
This was a great description. I will admit I am still intimidated by warping my cricket loom. So will go through your school process again. Success has been hit and miss. I also having difficulty with it being a new “craft language and technique “ as I am moderately skilled in knitting. Therefore it is sometimes easier to pick up a knit project than something that is harder (being new to me). The show notes blog is good as well as I wanted to see what a flip loom looks like.
I got put on a big floor loom for a while when I was mentally in a bad space, so I looked into a way I could afford so I started with stick weaving, then a friend gave me a rigid heddle, and I sprung off from that, she saw that I really stuck to the weaving, she was getting a new floor loom and asked me if I was interested in a floor loom.( she was given a series of floor looms from her brother in law ( he was working in an Organisation for people with disabilities) So my floor loom is about 140cm wide and and 8 shaft.( it is on loan as long I see using it) I figure this will keep me busy for a long while.
Thank you for your video, I have been interested in looming for the past 4 years after I purchased a 1954 Skill weave loom for $5.00. I have been looking for a floor loom and my husband bought me a Sanjo floor loom for Christmas. It has a 45" weaving space. It has 3 beams (I don't know what the third meme is for) but I want to make rugs, in particular, raw wool rugs.
I want to use #4 worsted weight yarn and up to #5-6 chucnky and bulky yarns i could try a smaller yarn type but these are the yarns im used to for crochet and loom knitting what type of weaving loom be right for
I am dreaming of weaving simple things like rugs, dish towels and place mats. I am thinking about going with a floor loom but have not completely made up my mind
I became interested in weaving.. well, don't know when but I know why. I became fascinated with the Middle Ages and the great unicorn tapestries and wanted to try to weave a smaller one, it caught my imagination. I still haven't tried. I started writing a novel and hope to finish it. One of my chief Characters is a weaver and I needed to understand the terms and have some experience of weaving. I always thought weaving was generally inaccessible and too expensive. I bought myself a 32 inch Kromski,maybe 10 yrs ago, made a few things but life interpreted and now, in retirement, I want to set it up, again and learn more. I am not sure I will ever buy a floor loom. I want to start weaving.. even shawls and towels would be a great place to start. I need creative distractions. I am not sure the large rigid heddle loom was the right choice, but it seemed wiser than a very small one. I still haven't tried tapestry weaving, except in my imagination.
Recently made a cardboard loom for a spräng-woven hat :) although I probably should have used a better method to cut out the strips that the threads were going to be stretched on, it did the job ^_^
Would you happen to know anything about the Garrett Wade Hardwood Table Loom? I'm trying to research it but I don't know that much about looms. Thanks.
Such an excellent explanation!! Thank you! I first purchased an Ashford Sampleit 16” loom with stand and I adore it! So easy to warp! I then bought a Saori Loom which I also adore but I was wanting to weave with a floor loom and to create the fabric as I go rather than predetermined weave structures. I also like the 12 dent reed it comes with allowing for finer yarns and threads in the warp. Now I am enamored with overshot floral patterns! 🤪 And I’m looking at Harrisville Design Looms , 36”, 4 shaft, 6 treadles. Have you any thoughts about this loom? It seems it would be a very versatile loom for weaving anything really…even rigs and tapestry weaving too! I do love the counterbalance mechanism of my Saori Loom and I think the Harrisville is also a counterbalance. What do you think of this loom?🙏💖
I am hoping you are still monitoring and can give insight. I am moving from table looms (schacht 4 shaft and a Leclerc Voyager 12 shaft) to a higher end floor loom. I make scarfs (silks/cashmere), towels (cotton) and some cotton blankets. I am looking at the 8 shaft Baby Wolf or the Louet David. What I am trying to make a determination on is tension, ease of treadling, and quality of the weave with the least amount of frustration. I know you have both, which one do you go to when you are wanting just pure joy of weaving? (notes: I am 5'2" tall and small bodied)
Hi there... I have fallen in love with weaving! The Louet Erica 4 shaft is what I have been weaving on since Covid started..and am now contemplating which floor loom I should purchase. The Schacht Baby Wolf is a contender, but I do not like the heddles. Did you put texsolve heddles on your Nilus loom..and was it a problem because the weight changed? Thankyou.. Maggie..Burlington ON
Limits also include the physical limitations of the weaver. I have a chronic back condition so knew I could not easily use treadles or adjust the tie up on a floor loom even though that would best suit my other wants. So a table loom was the best choice for me.
In your opinion what would be the best floor loom with the “greatest options” for making anything ‘up to’ a double bed sheet width with a working action that would be considered as smooth as running a hot knife through butter? Cost not an issue. In other words - your opinion of the “Cadillac” floor loom. Thank you 🙏
Annother important factor would be your body. Is the loom too big or too small for me to sit comfortably at it. Am I agile enough to sit under the loom to connect the shafts with the treadles.
I have an Ashford Sampleit 16” loom, which I bought because I am a spinner and have a TON of yarn that I won’t be able to knit in this lifetime. (I started as a knitter, of course!) But now I’m thinking of getting a floor loom. The space is not a serious issue, because I have a good sized craft room. I think that what I’d like to make with a larger loom would be larger shawls, and possibly lace curtains. I’d like to have some texture and color design. I am wondering if a four shaft loom would be a good choice, and how wide I would need it to be. Any suggestions?
I think we need to remember that humans have been weaving for literally millennia and whilst the floor loom technology that is used today is very similar to that used 500 years ago or ever further back, before that people still wove. The "vikings" wove on vertical looms that basically consisted of an upper and lower beam, a heddle bar and weighted warps, made from timbers the weavers felled themselves. Incredibly simple, but with it they wove outstanding textiles. Its really easy to get caught up in the whole, this size or that size, RH,table or floor, and 2 shaft, 4,8....more? But in the end its just a means to an end. A loom is simply the way you interlace warp and weft at its most basic.(Yes i know there are other factors but sometimes with something complex it can be good to return to basics, ask yourself WHY youre doing what youre doing, and breathe) For me, i used to knot rugs on a home made frame loom that also doubled as my tapestry loom and it was big....taller than me. These days im old, i have mobility issues and little space so im looking at purchasing an Ashford knitters RH folding loom. Im interested in creating clothing, and the 50cm(about 19.5 inches) width allows piecing to be less "bitty" while still being small enough for me to manage.....but honestly, you can weave almost anything ON almost anything if youve the will.
@@catzkeet4860 absolutely! My daughter’s grade 3 class is learning how to weave on frame looms from ikea and cardboard bookmark looms. There are so many ways we can weave, I agree it doesn’t have to be so complicated. Glad to hear you are continuing to evolve your weaving to fit your needs and creative ideas!
That's the first time I've heard about sensory part of weaving. For me it's carefully moving the shuttle through the shed, also actually making the shed by turning pickup stitcks and pulling heddle rods. Not sure about actual moving of rigid heddles, they do look underengineered in the videos. Why don't heddle blocks spring loaded so the heddle would be moved straight up and down? There are probably reasons but it just doesn't feel right to me yet. I haven't tried beating with the beating yet, it does look pleasant in the videos too. 'm certain I'll never want a flying shuttle at least, seems to remove all the fun from the process ;)
Hi sweet Georgia love your video it actually helped answear alot of questions I had. I'm a knitter and I've always been interest in weaving . My mom bought me a 20 inch table loom and it is nice but I've found that i just dont like it. I've done mutliple projects on it but it just dosent feel right and I never knew why. I've always been fascinated with the floor looms and I love knitting blankets. An I really want a floor loom but my biggest issue is I live in a 16ft rv with two large dogs. Do you have any suggestions for me ? And I live to rural to be close to a fibre community unfortunately.
I received a folding 32” rigid heddle loom for my birthday this year from my husband and kids (They got me the loom I had been eyeing for about a year). The reasons I wanted this loom was (1) I want to do larger projects like blankets, and shawls; (2) we are military and move frequently so I wanted something that was portable; (3) we have a limited budget, (4) I am inexperienced and wanted a “simpler” loom to learn on.
I was given a 4 shaft Leesburg floor loom. It needs to be balanced and I am clueless where to begin. I've never woven on a floor loom before. Any suggestions??
Would you be interested in a 60 inch wide cherry Jay made loon with 16 harnesses in excellent condition that is selling here for $2500 or best offer comes with a bench and one red
I have an 8-shaft table loom, but I had the chance to try out an 18-shaft floor loom a couple years ago and the tie-up system just got me obsessed. I don't think I'll ever be able to buy an 18-shaft floor loom (so expensive!) but it's okay to dream, right? xDDD
hi love your vlogs , i recently got a free disassembled floor loom , but i cant seem to find any info on the loom , there is however only a mark xxvii mark on one one of the beams can you maybe help ?
![[#2024MAMA] G-DRAGON - 무제(Untitled, 2014)+POWER+HOME SWEET HOME+뱅뱅뱅+FANTASTIC BABY | Mnet 241123 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ox29z5Nf1Uk/mqdefault.jpg)
“How long is a piece of string?!?!?”
This is an amazing way to describe how to choose something!!! I am definitely going to use this!
Your method of explaining things is exceptional. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your well-thought-out, informative, nicely executed presentation. So many variables to consider! After starting with (and still retaining) rigid heddle looms, I envisioned getting a 4-shaft floor loom. An 8-shaft Louet David became available on a used loom site and I jumped at the chance to get it. A fun bonus is that it is a special edition, made of cherry wood. My heart melts every time I think about it, walk past it, and weave with it. In my postage stamp size space, I love that I can fold and secure the back beam in for an even smaller footprint. I have used 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 shafts for projects. I love having 8 shafts in my “back pocket” even though I rarely use all 8. I love to use 6 shafts to combine plain weave with 4-shaft vertical twill bands. (4 shafts are adequate for combining plain weave and 4-shaft twill patterns horizontally.) Amazingly, 4 shafts are also adequate for a complex beautiful overshot pattern: “Lee’s Surrender.” Best of Success, Mighty Weavers❣️
Oh, I dream of the baby wolf, it's so lovely. *sigh* My best tip if you're very new to weaving is to see if there is a local weaving guild and if they rent looms out. I rented a table loom from my guild and taught myself how to weave - confirmed that I loved it and then found a funny little floor loom on craigslist to buy that fit into my tiny apartment. But it was nice to have that rented loom for a bit to see if weaving was really an interest worth putting money into for me. :) Also: NEW LOOM FOR YOU! YAY!
I do have a weaving loom, initially I was going to wait and save until further on my fiber journey. I saw a listing on Craigslist at a price point that was hard to believe. When I went to pick it up the owner threw in a broken spinning wheel for free. With minimal repairs the spinning wheel was up and running. I have since been on the road to refurbishment. Can’t wait until the 31st when the last of the replacement parts comes in.
Well said! It took me over 8 years to finally get a floor loom that I have always wanted; a Louet David. A big factor for me was size, it had to be compact enough to fit in a 2 bedroom flat, noise level was my other factor, it had to be quiet, very quiet as I want to respect my neighbours and never give them a chance to complain that there is noise coming from my flat, these were my two main considerations. I particularly chose the David because I love Louet products, I love their philosophy etc, and I love the idea of sinking shed Jack loom, just makes more sense to me. My only small, tiny regret was not getting the 90, but the 70 is fine. In my case I also got many accessories all in the same month of buying the loom, i.e. EF shuttles for example. I am hoping to retire early, so I feel I need to purchase these items with "earned income" vs a fixed retirement income in a few years.
I love the entire weaving process, I love some of the process more than the other, like using a warp board, and so I plan on investing in a warping mill instead. I hate fringing as well, so I don't make long fringe, but very short fringe which is also traditional in my culture.
That is fantastic. Congrats on the Louet David... it's such a lovely loom to sit at. Sometimes I thought I should have gone with the narrower Spring so that it's more compact... haha there's never just one and only one "right" loom. And yeah, I felt the same about using a warping board too for a while... but now that I've gotten into a routine of where I put my warping board, I feel like I can get into a rhythm with using it... whereas, I'm trying to figure out where and how to store my horizontal warping mill. LOL thanks for watching!!!
@@sweetgeorgia So true, there is always the "I wonder now..." Maybe that's what I need to do with my warping board, move it to a new area to see if it changes things, right now there is too much swearing going on near it LOL! I also have the smallest Leclerc one, which feels cramped. We'll see, I have my eye on the Ashford warping mill, it's affordable and I love their products too, well made.
A bit off topic, I love your top! Perfect pairing with the yarn.
The more I learn about weaving the more I respect the wisdom of the dear lady that helped me pick out my first loom. I live in an apartment so space was an issue. My project interest pretty much was to try a bit of everything from small projects to yardage for sewing. On her advice I bought an 8 shaft baby wolf with a 10 dent reed. Initially I was really worried about it being only 26 inches. For clothing that is narrow and that reed is pretty wide gaps I thought. I have since learned so much more like multiple threads in the dent and double weave/double wide weaving. Really there isn't much I can't do on the loom. Mine is on casters so I can move it around easily.
The importance of doing the research and getting help from someone with experience really cannot be overstated. TY for putting your process out there to help others.
Wonderful video. I have 3 looms and still I was interested in your presentation. I learned how to weave about 10 years ago. Our classes ended with the recession in the states. I was without access for over 5 years, my family had moved away. When we moved back to our old location, I looked forward to returning to class. Alas, my teacher had retired, some of the looms had been auctioned off, while the rest were gathering dust in storage.
So, I volunteered to teach classes without a clue what to do. It didn't take long before a couple of my old classmates showed up looking for studio space. I was delighted, they all were far more experienced and I offered to assist them for refresher lessons and information. We only had (5) 4 shaft floors looms and 1 Navajo loom, I was in heaven. Fortunately, the students that showed up felt intimidated by the floor looms, so I was able to convince the director to purchase a couple of rigid heddles.
Sadly, our Art Center has been closed again, this time they auctioned off all of the remaining looms, except for the new ones. I was able to bid on the auction and purchase a beautiful 4 shart loom.
Those advice are so, so great. I'm a little bit sorry, that I found this video today and not when I was in the process of buying my first loom. I own two Kromski Harp weaving Looms - 16" and 32". I bought the bigger loom first because I thought that I need more versatile loom assuming I end up only with one piece. But then I realize that big loom requires standing while weaving with my set up - it is just to big to hold on my lap and i don't have space for floor stand. So I bought smaller one and I'm perfectly happy with it. I love weaving because of the speed of the process comparing to knitting. Also I'm driven by color and texture - complicate structure is just not for me. And rigid heddle loom gives me simplicity - even without any classes, books or previous experience I was able to successfully start weaving. I love the process and I'm able to experiment with weaving aspects I enjoy without worrying about anything else.
My introduction to weaving was in 2010. I decided to learn how to design tartans. After 12 years of tartan study and design, I think I'm ready to learn how to weave.
Thank you! Your video helped me decide on a rigid heddle loom. I'm autistic, and we like to stim. I discovered weaving, knitting and tatting as a healthy way to stim.
Your way of explaining this craft is on point. Answered all my questions and answered questions that I didn’t know I need.
Thank you.
Before I bought my first loom, my friend told me that she had heard that I "should buy the widest loom I could afford," since I couldn't "invent" width. I think that logic may be true if you have one loom....I started with a new 32" 4-shaft Ashford table loom, and I loved it but sold it when I got a used 32" 8-shaft Gilmore floor loom; I loved that for many years but I sold it when I found a used 4-shaft Baby Wolf loom; I sold the BW when I had a chance to get a used 8-shaft Mighty Wolf loom. I found I like to have 8 shafts (although I rarely use all of them) because when I want to do plain weave, I usually use a rigid heddle loom. Most of my looms I've bought used, and I've found that the re-sale value of looms remains pretty good as long as one takes care of the loom. I currently have my "dream" floor loom (the 8-shaft Schacht Mighty Wolf); an 8-shaft Louet Jane, which is a nice portable table loom, good for classes and travel; a Schacht Cricket rigid heddle loom to use knitting yarns and hand-spun in quick scarves and projects; a 26" Schacht Flip for prayer shawls; an Inkle loom and small pin looms. I probably don't need all of the looms, but it's a nice collection for different purposes.
This has been very informative. I purchased a tabletop loom at the Ashford factory in New Zealand when I was there 3 years ago. It is still in its original packaging. I’ve been afraid to get started. Now I’ve been told I have severe arthritis in my hand and my knitting days are growing less. It’s time to try something else. You are giving me the courage to jump in and get started. Some have suggested knitting machines, but they sound even more scary. 😄
Excellent video for someone looking for a loom. My first was a used Schact Table loom 4 shaft; it worked great but I wanted a floor loom so got a Leclerc 4 Shaft 36" and it was used. Then I kept thinking 8 shaft and I heard Schact made really good looms, it would have a very wide shed. The shed was very important to me. I figured just upgrade and get the 8 shaft. I still own this loom and it is my favorite. I then bought an 8" Strucco 4 Shaft table loom for sampling and I love this. I then thought why not get an 8" 8 Shaft Stucco table loom. I did some advanced weaves and decided I really like twill. So I sold my Lecler and 8 shaft 8" STrucco. I own a 8 shaft Woof and a 4 shaft table loom 8" wide. Now my journey for RH looms: My first RH was a 32" Ashford. I sold that then went and got a cricket 10" sold that, then got a cricket 15" sold that. I now own a Kromski Harp 16" wide. WOW!!! what a weaving history I have.
All great tips! Buying a loom can be daunting for someone just starting out and trying them first can be a real challenge depending on where you live. I think the main thing is to get something. It doesn’t have to be your ‘forever’ loom. I started with a rigid heddle and in 6 months bought a used 45” 4 shaft counterbalance and 4 years later I still love it. Fine linen, silks, rugs, blankets it does it all. Do I wish I had 8 shafts? Sometimes, but 4 is keeping me plenty busy.
I love what you said about preparing to make a project on a loom. For me each part is a pleasure, even twisting fringe. But when I first got my 8 shaft 36 inch Ashford, I couldn’t get to the weaving part fast enough. I found the warping horrible and tedious and time consuming. But really, once weaving, I found that that was also pretty repetitive. I have grown to enjoy the whole process, however long each part of it takes.
I had a 32" rigid heddle that I never used, I gave it away and now have 2 inkle looms and a narrow box loom. right now I am working on weaving a piece of trim that will be about 5 yards long and is about 1 1/8" wide. I love my Inkle. I can pick it up with one hand and take it with me, position it wherever I want etc. Between table weaving, baltic pickup, and simple plainweave bands I am not going to run out of things to do on them for a very long time. (they are also pretty cheap, my 3 looms all cost about $100 or less each brand new from a small craftsman)
Beautiful. I love this. You found the tool and the style of weaving that brings you joy! 💗
I must say this was a very helpful video-and one that would have been helpful for me 5 years ago when I purchased my big loom, or even years before when I first got interested in weaving and purchased my Rigid Heddle loom.
My main loom (I have 6 I believe) is an 8 shaft LeClerc Artistat loom (36” width).
Prior to it I had a Kromski Harp (32”) RH. I used it without the stand.
I chose my LeClerc because I wanted a loom that had the most possibilities to explore different kinds of weaving, but also that could be in my fiber studio. I knew that I wanted to make dish towels, scarfs, shawls, blankets, but wanted the possibility to weave an occasional rug. I knew that I didn’t need 45” because 32” felt a bit overwhelming at times for me. 36” felt fine, knowing if I wanted to do something 60” I could do a double weave.
Finally, I knew I wanted 8 shafts, because I live for creative possibilities. 4 felt too limiting for things I was interested in, and more than 8 raised me above size of loom I wanted (floor) for cost I could afford.
I am beyond happy with my Artistat. I love that I can get parts easily, there is a robust community, the loom is still in production, and there isn’t much I want to do that I can’t do. In fact, I can’t think of anything I cannot do on my loom.
Now, I also dabble in tapestry weaving-and that is another rabbit hole, as is spinning-which has taken me down another wonderful rabbit hole.
This was very helpful, even for an experienced weaver. 🙂
Thank you so much for your reply!! Oh I’m so glad to hear you found a loom that serves your creativity and fits your life. Yes, 36” is right in that zone that feels big but not overwhelming and that still can weave all the things. And hahah yes there are so many rabbit holes, but I like to think that all the rabbit holes are connected and that they actually all go to the same place 🥰😆
Thank you so much for this video! As a subscriber to your channel, and a regular watcher, I really appreciate your attention to so many issues that face fiber artists. I have been working with a rigid heddle loom, which I love, for a couple of years. Now I’ve come to find a local person on Craig’s List selling a used Leclerc floor loom for an amazing price. So I especially appreciate your tips on how to KNOW what to look for. Thanks so much!
Fantastic!! I hope you enjoy your new-to-you floor loom! Thanks for subscribing Donna!
Thank you, so much I love the way you explain and clarifying of how too!. My first Loom is combining next week and it's the Ashford table folding #24 4shaft. I am, so exited and can't wait to start weaving the fabric for my clothes just like my hero "mahatma Gandhi".
I agree with your comment about loving each part of the process, “ except “ twisting fringe. I agree. that part is time consuming and my least favorite!
I had tried weaving and wanted to do more so with a small budget I bought an 8” wide loom and have made 3 scarves from it. The cost was my biggest factor, as the 32” wide one was $300+ and mine was $80. However now I have loom envy because I would like to weave a fine shawl and would need to go up to the $300 model, which didn’t save me anything now.
I agree with your video to buy what you think you want to get to and not only what your budget will allow for.
I’m on the lookout for a 32” loom (I’d like to have a 4/8 shaft one too) now with a stand so I can stop hunching over the dining room table.
I never planned on weaving, my limit was going to be spinning and knitting. But I was at an auction and there was a Union 36 loom that no one was bidding on. I couldn’t see it going into the dumpster or worse yet a burn pile. I bid and now weaving rugs on it. I recently started teaching my niece to weave rugs. It is a simple 2 harness loom that weaves beautiful rugs. I have since purchased 2 Ashford ridged heddle looms to weave tea towels.
That’s amazing that you rescued a loom! AND that you started weaving on it too. I feel you, I never anticipated weaving being a part of my life either… but here we are 😆💗
It included all of the shuttles, warp thread, 2 warp racks. I just got a temple to replace the homemade weighted temple. Now, I want to get a tension box for winding on the warp.
Great video and information. When I was a kid we wove pot holders on a simple frame loom with premade fabric loops. When I was in the 5th or 6th grade my art teacher did a weaving section using a twelve inch by four inch frame loom with us that required cotton string and yarn and a popsicle stick as a shuttle. When I was in my 30's I visited a historic living village and became entranced by a floor heddle loom. Now that I am semi-retired I am interested into getting back into the arts.
Very interesting! As you described the purchase of a loom in terms of the space AROUND the loom I started to realize table looms have a particular attractiveness. Thanks the the helpful insights.
This is a great video for understanding loom choices and considerations. Thank you!! ❤
Thanks! Glad it is helpful!
I had a floor loom for years and rarely used it due to the “I haven’t got time to warp it” factor. I got a Cricket 15” one month ago, and am in love with how easy/quick it is to warp. I just ordered a Kromski 24” harp forte, so I will have the portability, but a wider weaving width. I see a floor loom in my future, but I work full time, and the rigid heddle suits what I want right now. Would love a Baby Wolf when I do get to that point in the future!
Thank you for your videos:) This one got me really excited. My grandmother gave me looms from her retired weaving business. One of them is a really old 36" 4-shaft LeClerc Counterbalance. I didn't have room for her warping mill, and I needed help to warp it, then once I'd have it set up my toddler would be hauling on it, so two months ago I bought a 24" Ashford rigid heddle loom and I love it. Because it is so easy to warp, I have already made many more projects than I have on the LeClerc. But having said that, I also like motion of throwing the shuttle and such, so I will use both for different things.
This helped me realize that I want to weave rugs, and it’s more important for me to weave small rugs on a small loom (because of space and costs prohibiting a large rug loom) than to weave other things on a small loom. I’m not really interested in weft or warp-faced rugs such as Navajo so that makes it more difficult to find a suitable loom. So I’ll try to find a small loom for that other than my rigid heddle. I don’t think that’s going to scratch the itch long term. So I guess I can save up for a small Harrisville or other little 4-shaft loom which can handle a rug.
My current loom is an old Abica 25" Four Harness loom. It's old new stock that was sitting in a store room for decades.
Thank you! This was very helpful. I have a 15 inch cricket that I love, but would like to weave baby blankets. I am considering a schacht flip or biting the bullet and getting a floor loom instead. This gave me a better way of making a choice.
WOW! Thank you this was really helpful. I really resonated with your story at the beginning! I feel part of my spiritual awakening is becoming a weaver too :) I first bought a small frame loom and played with it a little. Then I went to weaving classes in Los Angeles where I worked with a Saori loom. I bought that loom after my second, and only, class! lol I haven't really learned how to use it and haven't used it much since. I did pick up the back strap loom with I have been loving. I feel more connected to my ancestors when I weave with it but I'm excited to learn more about all things weaving and plant dyes!
I have a small 4shaft jack loom and three rigid heddle looms. They’re all awesome, but I’ve wanted a larger multi shaft loom for a long time. Unfortunately, I have issues with physical fatigue, and I’m really limited on what I can do. I’ve been watching your videos, and I’ve managed to switch my mentality from wanting a big, complicated countermarche loom to seriously considering a counter balance loom. Thanks for the help. You don’t always know you’re reaching people, but I consider your experiences very valuable. I want to weave all the things, but I can’t. It’s not as big a problem when I can consider real life options. Thanks so much!
thank you for this very well thought out advice on buying a loom. I have a few RH looms and love them all and am very impressed with what they can do. I have been thinking about a floor loom lately. so glad you pointed out desires and constraints.
Thanks so much Linda!
You are an inspiration to me...Thank you ...
I love how you go into the processes of creating useful beautiful things
I have a 30” rigid heddle but really want to get an 8-shaft table loom as I want to weave the finer intricate patterns.
Thank you so much for your videos I really appreciate You doing them and going through the trouble of posting it it has helped me out tremendously so I thank you very much
I’m so glad it’s been helpful!
im the giant wall hangings, the type that takes a whole studio. that and restarting the textile industry in canada, not the cheap fabric but the spectacular high end oooohhhh cloth. at almost 60 i might not see it done but i hope to get things started.
Mmmm that is absolutely wonderful. I love giant wall hangings too. I'd love to hear more about what you are doing in the textile industry here!
@@sweetgeorgia i havent started yet, but i figure the more people i talk to about this the chance is if i cant they might.
I have a 32 inch 8 shaft Ashford Table loom with stand. I originally bought a 24" but was not satisfied with the width. On the 32" i can do a double weave and make a 56" blanket with it. Its compact, i can fold it up and put it in a closet when its not in use. My 6 year old daughter is learning to weave on the 24" and loves it.
One year in summer school I weaved using cardboard and I remember seeing the American Girl doll weaving loom in the catalog I want to try startting with kid version kit that's affordable for me
I want to jusr make fun doll sized blankets ,scarfs,rugs and maybe make something as big as the whole loom and make a scarf for me
This is so helpful. I have a 24 inch schacht flip and am just exploring weaving. I ultimately want something bigger to do things like mohair throws, linens, waffle weave and twills. But there is no local place to try things out. So for now I’m enjoying what I have and dreaming
I have an Ashford Rigid heddle loom. I bought it just to see if I like weaving and because I am a spinner. I saw weaving is a great way to use up art yarn. I have just recently purchased a Katie loom to try weaving more intricate patterns with shafts and if I like it I’m thinking about buying an Ashford Jack loom.
This is such a helpful video! I am about to recieve a free 1960 Cherryville counterbalance loom in a completely dismantled state. I have never woven before, but am excited to start! This has helped me to understand where I might head with my new loom and what to consider for my next loom... Because the correct number of any type of craft supplies is (n + 1) :)
🤣 indeed!! Have fun with your new Cherryville! Those are beautiful looms!
Wow, you are just amazing, so thoughtful and well spoken. Thank you so much for this video. I want a 4-shaft floor loom so much but fear loom must is affecting my decision ( and fear if overspending) I now have a lot to think about, ugh, not an easy decision.
It's not an easy decision... but I think once you start weaving on one loom, you'll develop preferences and perspectives that you wouldn't otherwise be able to get... and that will inform decisions for the next loom. I guess what I'm saying is whatever you decide doesn't have to be the "forever" solution. I can be "for now". And hopefully that relieves some of the burden of making the decision 😊
My grandma used to weave massive blankets and had huge wooden loom in her bedroom. I wish I asked her to teach me this craft and I wish we kept the loom in the family after she passed away.
Wow!! This is awesome! Thank you so much for the great info!
So clearly explained. You make it sound fun and inspiring. Thankyou
Great video! My entry into weaving started with a small antique rigid heddle loom at a thrift store. It was €2.50, I knew it was a loom but my weaving knowledge stopped there. I bought it figuring it was so cheap if I ended up never using it it wasn’t a big loss. I posted on a weaving group on Ravelry to inquire what type of loom it was and got some great information, but it took me another 4 months or so to work up to courage to warp it. Once I got going I loved it. It was only about 10” wide, so just wide enough for scarves and I made 7 scarfs on that little loom. In the meantime I did find a bargain table loom on a second hand website. It was a 4 shaft loom, and I did try it, I changed the heddles and started a test project on it, but that’s as far as I got. I just wasn’t loving it, I can’t really explain why. Several months, maybe almost a year later, I bought an Ashford Knitters Loom from a local weaving store. I got to test it first and I did really like it, it was quite an upgrade from the little thrift store loom, which had no proper way to advance the warp (wing nuts you had to loosen and tighten every time) and was limited in width. The knitters loom is great for taking on holiday, throwing on a quick warp and use it on my height adjustable desk. That same weaving shop organized a tour of the Louet factory (yes, I’m in the Netherlands!) and showroom which I thought, oh, that would be nice to see, with no intention whatsoever to buy a loom, I went. There I just fell head over heals for the Jane table loom. I tried some of the floor looms as well but they didn’t feel right to me. Rationally I also really didn’t want a floor loom, I’m a multi crafter including painting, scrapbooking, all kinds of different things that take up space and I need to be able to switch easily from one thing to another, I just wouldn’t have the space for a floor loom and the idea of it didn’t attract me either, I don’t want to do production type weaving, I would like to weave some blankets but I also love doing scarves, and one craft doesn’t hold my attention for that long, I keep switching around, so big projects are far less likely to ever get finished. But besides that, it was such a strong feeling, I just couldn’t drag myself away from the Jane, whilst the other looms I tried didn’t have that hold on me. Because I hadn’t had any intention to buy a loom when I went there, I decided to not make an impulsive decision, it was after all quite an investment. So I went home to let it simmer. The weaving shop that organized the tour gave the attendees a voucher for a discount that was valid for another month, so I had some time. After a few weeks I still really wanted to get that Jane. So I went for it. I was grateful for the wait, it gave me some time to research, and a weaver on Instagram happened to post a photo of her using the Jane in her garden, using the stand which I originally hadn’t intended to get, I was going to use the loom on my height adjustable desk. But that made me rethink the stand and I got that too, and shortly after I was sitting in the garden weaving my first Jane project. Unfortunately due to various circumstances I had to fold away the Jane a while ago and I’m still in the process of creating a proper place for her in my studio. I don’t have a lot of time to get things in order so it’s slow going but I think about it a lot, I really want to get back behind my Jane. I would say always try to figure out if you can somehow try out the loom you think you want or need. Like you said, you love the feeling of the beater, that type of loom is what feels right to you, the Jane felt so right to me, even though I do like the rigid heddle looms too. It is really important that using the loom feels right.
This is amazing. What a love story!! Even though you had to put the loom away for now, with this kind of passion for the loom, I have no doubt it will come out when the time is ready and make you very, very happy. And how lucky of you to have a tour of Louet!!! That would be so interesting.
I love your looming room so cool. I want to get a kid version similar to the Melisa and Doug brand or something similar to the one that American Girl doll had sold for their historical doll joesafina from 1997- early 2000s that I could recreate the one that American Girl doll had for the historical doll without buying it from eBay for 2x-3x the cost
I've been thinking about my Goldilocks loom for the last 6 months. I do not want to be buying and selling looms constantly, so I've been taking my time trying to figure out what I actually want. I've come back to your video a few times. I wanted 8 shafts, and after working on a couple of jack looms realized that I didn't really find them comfortable. The treadling felt a little heavy, and it seemed noisier than I was comfortable with living in a condo. I wanted a weaving width in the mid-30 inch range. I had a price I was comfortable with for a new loom. It took me this long to decide on a 100cm Oxaback Lilla. It just checks all my boxes. Size-check. Quiet-check. Ease of treadling-check. I'm very hopeful that I've made a good choice for me. I expect a learning curve, and that's ok.
I have a rigid heddle loom for weaving in my living room quietly with other people around. I have a table loom where I'll never be limited by number of treadles. Now I'll have a floor loom that gives me the additional width I've been craving with much more capacity to hold a long warp. I can't ask for more.
Thank you for knowledge of weaving looms. I crochet and knit and everything in-between but I haven't tried weaving yet which is my next goal. I'm ready for it but I'm definitely confused on which loom to get. I'm really leaning towards a heddle loom but I want one where I can go up to a size of a shawl to start with. At least be able to make scarves, placemats and so on to start and then go from there. I would appreciate any suggestions you have. I would have loved to take your classes but I live in Ontario.
Thank you for everything
This was so helpful. I'm fairly new to weaving--just got a 15" Schacht Cricket rigid heddle loom--but I've already got the bug (sorry for the terrible pun!). I see that there is a beautiful used 4-harness table loom at an astoundingly low price locally for sale, and I have been wanting it so badly, but I'm not even sure if I'd like that kind of loom. But what I really want to do is use my handspun to weave cloth that I can use to sew clothing--three of my passions rolled into one final outcome. BUT with the colorful yarns I'm weaving I don't really know that I'll ever want to do anything but plain weave. But maybe I will. I mean, it's just $200 but it's adding something relatively large to an already overstuffed house. LOL. It's so hard to decide. :D This helps though. So, thank you!
I have been weaving on Ashford's Knitter's Loom for 2 years now and I love it, but I feel it is time to move up to a small floor loom. I have been looking at the Baby Wolf and just found the Harrisville 4 shaft six treadle loom and was just about sold on it when I came across your video describing the differences between counter balance, countermarche and jack looms. Now I have a lot more to consider. Those two, I believe, are jack looms and I would like to see if there are some countermarche and counter balance looms that are about the same size as those two. (I like the idea of a larger shed.) Thank you for such informative videos and offering me more to think about. (I also love your sweater and would love to make it)
For sure! I just talked to another weaver who is getting Leclerc to make a 27” wide Mira counterbalance loom and I know Glimakra makes beautiful countermarche looms in much narrower widths as well. Good luck with your search!
you are so informative and very pleasant to listen to. I love your presentation and .... i love all things fiber arts. Thank you for all the helpful info
Thank you so much April! Your comment makes me so happy!
This was very comprehensive, and gave me a lot of thoughts. I want to weave a variety of things but am dream to silks and cottons. I have a rigid heddle loom and a 4 shaft loom that someone was giving away. I still need to set it up and am a little (a lot) intimidated by warping.
This was a great description. I will admit I am still intimidated by warping my cricket loom. So will go through your school process again. Success has been hit and miss. I also having difficulty with it being a new “craft language and technique “ as I am moderately skilled in knitting. Therefore it is sometimes easier to pick up a knit project than something that is harder (being new to me). The show notes blog is good as well as I wanted to see what a flip loom looks like.
Is weaving fabric for sewing something that is achievable for a novice or is it something I would need a ton of experience for?
You can sew plain weave but I'd recommend doing a few projects first
My response is ... YES
If you have adequate sewing experience, you can produce garments from your own woven fabric.
Absolutely!
This is awesome. I’m going to buy a wolf pup in the upcoming month.
Love it! A wolf pup looks like a great loom! Enjoy!
I want to make rugs, and blankets, table runners, but 140. Width is good enough.
I don’t have one yet, but I’m trying to learn about all the differences.
The information is good.
Loved this!
I got put on a big floor loom for a while when I was mentally in a bad space, so I looked into a way I could afford so I started with stick weaving, then a friend gave me a rigid heddle, and I sprung off from that, she saw that I really stuck to the weaving, she was getting a new floor loom and asked me if I was interested in a floor loom.( she was given a series of floor looms from her brother in law ( he was working in an Organisation for people with disabilities) So my floor loom is about 140cm wide and and 8 shaft.( it is on loan as long I see using it) I figure this will keep me busy for a long while.
Thank you for your video, I have been interested in looming for the past 4 years after I purchased a 1954 Skill weave loom for $5.00. I have been looking for a floor loom and my husband bought me a Sanjo floor loom for Christmas. It has a 45" weaving space. It has 3 beams (I don't know what the third meme is for) but I want to make rugs, in particular, raw wool rugs.
I want to use #4 worsted weight yarn and up to #5-6 chucnky and bulky yarns i could try a smaller yarn type but these are the yarns im used to for crochet and loom knitting what type of weaving loom be right for
I am dreaming of weaving simple things like rugs, dish towels and place mats. I am thinking about going with a floor loom but have not completely made up my mind
Thanks!
I became interested in weaving.. well, don't know when but I know why. I became fascinated with the Middle Ages and the great unicorn tapestries and wanted to try to weave a smaller one, it caught my imagination. I still haven't tried. I started writing a novel and hope to finish it. One of my chief Characters is a weaver and I needed to understand the terms and have some experience of weaving. I always thought weaving was generally inaccessible and too expensive. I bought myself a 32 inch Kromski,maybe 10 yrs ago, made a few things but life interpreted and now, in retirement, I want to set it up, again and learn more. I am not sure I will ever buy a floor loom. I want to start weaving.. even shawls and towels would be a great place to start. I need creative distractions. I am not sure the large rigid heddle loom was the right choice, but it seemed wiser than a very small one. I still haven't tried tapestry weaving, except in my imagination.
Recently made a cardboard loom for a spräng-woven hat :) although I probably should have used a better method to cut out the strips that the threads were going to be stretched on, it did the job ^_^
Please tell us the knit pattern for the sweater your wearing? It’s so beautiful 😍
Space is not an issue for me. My intended space is about 10' x 19'. I just can't decide on the weaving width, either 45" or 60".
Good expiration
Would you happen to know anything about the Garrett Wade Hardwood Table Loom? I'm trying to research it but I don't know that much about looms. Thanks.
Such an excellent explanation!! Thank you! I first purchased an Ashford Sampleit 16” loom with stand and I adore it! So easy to warp! I then bought a Saori Loom which I also adore but I was wanting to weave with a floor loom and to create the fabric as I go rather than predetermined weave structures. I also like the 12 dent reed it comes with allowing for finer yarns and threads in the warp. Now I am enamored with overshot floral patterns! 🤪 And I’m looking at Harrisville Design Looms , 36”, 4 shaft, 6 treadles. Have you any thoughts about this loom? It seems it would be a very versatile loom for weaving anything really…even rigs and tapestry weaving too! I do love the counterbalance mechanism of my Saori Loom and I think the Harrisville is also a counterbalance. What do you think of this loom?🙏💖
Thanks for the helpful video. Also, I love the sweater you are wearing here. Is this a pattern you sell?
I am hoping you are still monitoring and can give insight.
I am moving from table looms (schacht 4 shaft and a Leclerc Voyager 12 shaft) to a higher end floor loom. I make scarfs (silks/cashmere), towels (cotton) and some cotton blankets.
I am looking at the 8 shaft Baby Wolf or the Louet David. What I am trying to make a determination on is tension, ease of treadling, and quality of the weave with the least amount of frustration. I know you have both, which one do you go to when you are wanting just pure joy of weaving?
(notes: I am 5'2" tall and small bodied)
Hi there... I have fallen in love with weaving! The Louet Erica 4 shaft is what I have been weaving on since Covid started..and am now contemplating which floor loom I should purchase. The Schacht Baby Wolf is a contender, but I do not like the heddles. Did you put texsolve heddles on your Nilus loom..and was it a problem because the weight changed? Thankyou.. Maggie..Burlington ON
Limits also include the physical limitations of the weaver. I have a chronic back condition so knew I could not easily use treadles or adjust the tie up on a floor loom even though that would best suit my other wants. So a table loom was the best choice for me.
In your opinion what would be the best floor loom with the “greatest options” for making anything ‘up to’ a double bed sheet width with a working action that would be considered as smooth as running a hot knife through butter?
Cost not an issue.
In other words - your opinion of the “Cadillac” floor loom.
Thank you 🙏
Annother important factor would be your body. Is the loom too big or too small for me to sit comfortably at it. Am I agile enough to sit under the loom to connect the shafts with the treadles.
I have an Ashford Sampleit 16” loom, which I bought because I am a spinner and have a TON of yarn that I won’t be able to knit in this lifetime. (I started as a knitter, of course!) But now I’m thinking of getting a floor loom. The space is not a serious issue, because I have a good sized craft room. I think that what I’d like to make with a larger loom would be larger shawls, and possibly lace curtains. I’d like to have some texture and color design. I am wondering if a four shaft loom would be a good choice, and how wide I would need it to be. Any suggestions?
I think we need to remember that humans have been weaving for literally millennia and whilst the floor loom technology that is used today is very similar to that used 500 years ago or ever further back, before that people still wove. The "vikings" wove on vertical looms that basically consisted of an upper and lower beam, a heddle bar and weighted warps, made from timbers the weavers felled themselves. Incredibly simple, but with it they wove outstanding textiles. Its really easy to get caught up in the whole, this size or that size, RH,table or floor, and 2 shaft, 4,8....more? But in the end its just a means to an end. A loom is simply the way you interlace warp and weft at its most basic.(Yes i know there are other factors but sometimes with something complex it can be good to return to basics, ask yourself WHY youre doing what youre doing, and breathe) For me, i used to knot rugs on a home made frame loom that also doubled as my tapestry loom and it was big....taller than me. These days im old, i have mobility issues and little space so im looking at purchasing an Ashford knitters RH folding loom. Im interested in creating clothing, and the 50cm(about 19.5 inches) width allows piecing to be less "bitty" while still being small enough for me to manage.....but honestly, you can weave almost anything ON almost anything if youve the will.
@@catzkeet4860 absolutely! My daughter’s grade 3 class is learning how to weave on frame looms from ikea and cardboard bookmark looms. There are so many ways we can weave, I agree it doesn’t have to be so complicated. Glad to hear you are continuing to evolve your weaving to fit your needs and creative ideas!
That's the first time I've heard about sensory part of weaving. For me it's carefully moving the shuttle through the shed, also actually making the shed by turning pickup stitcks and pulling heddle rods. Not sure about actual moving of rigid heddles, they do look underengineered in the videos. Why don't heddle blocks spring loaded so the heddle would be moved straight up and down? There are probably reasons but it just doesn't feel right to me yet.
I haven't tried beating with the beating yet, it does look pleasant in the videos too. 'm certain I'll never want a flying shuttle at least, seems to remove all the fun from the process ;)
Oh yes! I’ve also heard that flying shuttles are very loud… but I’m so curious to try it myself.
Hi sweet Georgia love your video it actually helped answear alot of questions I had. I'm a knitter and I've always been interest in weaving . My mom bought me a 20 inch table loom and it is nice but I've found that i just dont like it. I've done mutliple projects on it but it just dosent feel right and I never knew why. I've always been fascinated with the floor looms and I love knitting blankets. An I really want a floor loom but my biggest issue is I live in a 16ft rv with two large dogs. Do you have any suggestions for me ? And I live to rural to be close to a fibre community unfortunately.
I received a folding 32” rigid heddle loom for my birthday this year from my husband and kids (They got me the loom I had been eyeing for about a year). The reasons I wanted this loom was (1) I want to do larger projects like blankets, and shawls; (2) we are military and move frequently so I wanted something that was portable; (3) we have a limited budget, (4) I am inexperienced and wanted a “simpler” loom to learn on.
Hi. Would you be willing to share the name and type of the loom that you received?
I was given a 4 shaft Leesburg floor loom. It needs to be balanced and I am clueless where to begin. I've never woven on a floor loom before. Any suggestions??
I was given a Leesburg 4 shaft balance floor loom and it needs balanced before anything. I don't know where to find help. Any suggestions?
What pattern is your top?! And what’s the color way? I need to make it!
what if I want to weave it all?
Hi, what is the minimum weaving width loom to get if I want to weave baby wrap with a maximum width of 75cm? 80cm, 90cm or 100cm? Thanks.
Would you be interested in a 60 inch wide cherry Jay made loon with 16 harnesses in excellent condition that is selling here for $2500 or best offer comes with a bench and one red
I have an 8-shaft table loom, but I had the chance to try out an 18-shaft floor loom a couple years ago and the tie-up system just got me obsessed. I don't think I'll ever be able to buy an 18-shaft floor loom (so expensive!) but it's okay to dream, right? xDDD
I'm stuck between a kromski forte and an Ashford rigid heddle. anyone have any thoughts for or against either?
want tp make clothes an shawls you were great explaining
hi love your vlogs , i recently got a free disassembled floor loom , but i cant seem to find any info on the loom , there is however only a mark xxvii mark on one one of the beams can you maybe help ?
Oh interesting! Maybe if you have photos somewhere, we could have a look?
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙏🙏🙏👌👌👌👌
Wow! Thank you! This was very helpful.
You are sweet