What craft will you be occupying yourself with this holiday season?
If you’re thinking of giving frame-loom weaving a go or wanting to upgrade your current loom here are my three tips for choosing a new loom to get your holiday project wish list underway.
PS: I’ve also got a neat little table that you can reference when making your decision. You'll find it below!
3 Tips for Choosing A New Loom
1. Decide what size pieces you want to make
You might be starting out and looking to experiment with various tools and techniques. A medium size loom for small to medium size pieces might work for you. You can practice your weaving skills with a small to moderate time investment for each piece.
If you’re taking the next step and looking to make larger pieces for wall décor or home furnishing projects it might be time to invest in that large loom you’ve had your eye on. A large loom will of course accommodate larger projects but it may also require a greater investment of your time to complete each piece.
In my last post I spoke about planning and sampling for success with your pieces. This is where a small loom comes in handy as it makes quick work of sampling for larger projects.
2. Consider where and how you will be using your loom
Where will you do most of your weaving? Are you at home, on the couch, at the kitchen table? Or, maybe you want the freedom to take your loom out on the open road?
You’ll need a loom that is comfortable to use in your preferred working environment. A small to medium size loom is great for around the house and is comfortable in most situations. A larger loom will be a bit more cumbersome and limit the positions in which you can work comfortably.
Travelling with your loom and weaving what you see outdoors can be a great experience. A smaller portable, travel size loom might be ideal for these occasions.
3. Give thought to how pre-defined warp spacing will influence the look and feel of your pieces
For a beginner, I always recommend a sett (warp spacing) of 4 warp ends for every 2.5cm (4 ends per inch). This wide sett tends to cover quickly and will accommodate a range of yarns and fibres.
A loom with this spacing will also allow for a finer sett of 8 ends per 2.5cm (8 ends per inch). A finer sett will allow you to weave finer detail however it may be more labour intensive. To achieve this finer sett, warp with two threads and use a few rows of plain weave to even out the spacing before you begin your design.
Other things to look for
Frame looms come in all shapes and sizes and are generally characterised by having a timber frame with a series of nails, pegs or teeth along two opposite ends on which the warp can be wound and held firm. The construction should be simple and robust. Its purpose is to hold the warp threads under tension and evenly spaced while weaving. The need for a complex heddle system is generally unnecessary, as you will be manipulating both the warp and weft by hand.
A Frame-Loom Buyers Guide
The table below categorizes the common loom sizes and provides some insight into how and when you might use them. I’ve also included some potential limitations to help inform your decision when choosing a new loom.
