Still Warping The Rigid Heddle Loom

Finish Warping The Loom


I have been a little lax about continuing with the warping of the loom for a scarf. I was awaiting a further delivery from Fibrehut of bobbins for my shuttle. They were out of stock and it is easier to weave with many colours with a good amount of bobbins so I waited for the delivery direct from NZ. So here they are at last ...

As I said in an earlier post it is possible to make them myself from a copy of a glossy magazine, some scissors and sellotape - sadly I was too lazy and decided to wait for the plastic variety.

My next step was to continue with the warping and threading of the heddle. (Not sure of the correct terminology). I find this step very fiddly.

I find this little tool from Ashford's rather flimsy.
I wonder if there is a more substantial one available?

 

 

 

 

The loom is now fully warped, the tension is fine, and all is tied to the backstick, and I am ready to weave. Here is my first bobbin being prepared along with my new lovely boat shuttle. It has taken me ages - it is supposed to be a very quick operation but I am very slow. I must try harder. I must try harder. Etc. Life just gets in the way!

I am still using the table in the conservatory for my loom and this is where we usually have breakfast as it has a wonderful view of the garden and the birds. Mr Whizz Kid is not happy and wants me to move it elsewhere before the next weekend. It takes up so much room that I am not sure exactly where it can go? Perhaps it needs a stand?

Today this is my music to weave to ....

                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLVdrgd8w_s

Rigid Heddle Loom - A Scarf

Warping The Loom For A Scarf


For my second attempt at weaving, (still been able to find no tuition), I have decided to try something a little less complicated - a scarf. I have still not received my bobbins from Fibrehut as they are still out of stock, which makes pattern making rather difficult - so a scarf it is! Nice and simple.

Beginning to warp the loom with Rowan Felted Tweed Yarn

The yarn that I am using is Rowan Felted Tweed yarn made with merino and alpaca. It is a quiet shade of fawn and very soft and cuddly. I shall incorporate a few other, (manly), colours in the weft and intend it to be a present for a relative. The colours worked well on my small rug so I have decided to use some of them again.

This is the warping peg set at the other end of the table

This should enable me to make a scarf approximately five feet long, which is the length of the small table. The width will probably be about sixteen inches as I do not intend to use the full width of the loom, which is thirty two inches.

Just about the right width for the project

The yarn comes from John Lewis as is about £6.00 per 50g ball

Ready to cut the loops from the peg

After cutting the ends need to be wound on. This is a job for two people and no time for taking photographs. This is it wound to the bar ready to be threaded again through the heddle, (thanks for the help Mr Whizz Kid).

Cardboard strips to stop the threads from getting tangled

Ready for the final thread

The next step is rather time consuming and complicated and probably not the time to take photos. I shall begin on this next step tomorrow. Now ... I am off for dinner and a glass of wine.

Dinner: Peppers stuffed with vegetable cous cous, with roasted tomatoes and sea bass. Very nice indeed.

Rug Weaving

My Beginners Rug



I am still working at my small first rug. This week I have tidied all the ends and decided to sew a row of crystal beads along the strip where the pattern did not work. I realize that for a rug with a row of raised beads might be rather unusual or even uncomfortable - but as it may end up as a wall hanging then I am not too bothered by that thought. As I have such a huge selection of crystal beads I may even add more. These are a few updated photos - next more beads, then the fringe needs to be trimmed before the washing and blocking to tighten the weave.

This week I have received some more equipment including some pick-up sticks and a boat shuttle all the way from Ashfords of New Zealand via Fibrehut. These should enable me to try something a little more elaborate (and realistic).

Sadly Fibrehut is out of bobbins and is awaiting a shipment from New Zealand, but as a clever relative has taught me to make my own from rolled up glossy magazine tubes I am not at all concerned! Thank you K.