I went on a fiber adventure yesterday with a friend. We went to look at some Jacob fleeces a shepherdess about 30 minutes from us had from this years shearing. For those who don't know Jacob it is a breed of sheep. And the actual trip to buy these fleeces and the animals they come from is yet another blog post to come. But on the way over we stopped at a local Dutch Brothers coffee for some cooling Frappuccino's . As is the custom at Dutch Bros. the gal getting our drinks inquired how our day was going. So we shared that we were on a fiber adventure to purchase sheep fleece to weave. Of course we would weave it after we spun the fiber up on our spinning wheels. You are going to do what to get what to do what? Pretty much covered what she said about what we do.
I have found it not unusual that folks either have no clue what spinning and weaving are or can't understand why in the name of everything sane would one go to all the trouble to undertake a process that one can go to the mall and buy and wear "instant gratification". Remember that phrase there will be an analogy latter.
The loom to the left is my newest addition to my weaving tools. This is the fourth loom I have owned and I have two others currently. This is a JL Hammett counter balance loom . There are many types of looms and they are distinguished by how they look, how they operate and what they are used for. This loom is considered a floor loom*.
Physically, there are several different types of looms that range in size and features:
Floor Loom* -
Floor looms are best used for producing longer lengths of fabric, for
production work, designs that are more complex and for carpets and rugs.
The loom must be solid and stable without being excessively heavy.
Three different types of floor looms are: Jack, Counterbalance, and
Countermarch.
Table Looms -
These smaller, less expensive, portable looms are usually jack looms.
Sometimes they have springs under the shafts to hold them down. Table
looms are good for learning as they are portable enough to put into a
car or even on a plane to take to a workshop.
Rigid Heddle - provide the equivalent of two-shaft weaving and can be adapted to behave as a four shaft loom by adding a second heddle set.
Tapestry Frame Loom - The tapestry frame loom is the most simple form for a weaving loom. The Navajo loom would be considered a frame loom.
Back strap loom
- A simple loom comprising two sticks between which the warps are
stretched. One bar is attached to a fixed object and the other to the
weaver usually by means of a strap around the back.
The above descriptions and photos were found on The Woolery at woolery.com just in case you get the weaving bug or other fiber art bug.
And if any of you enjoy the inter workings of things here is a more detailed description. Remember that a jack loom works in a different manner the the counter balance and counter march.
Stay tuned for part two . Where we will find out what is the difference in how the floor looms work.
Labels: Jiggity 1, Jiggity 2, on the road again, weave, weekend
6 Comments:
This is an excellent introduction to weaving looms. I think you are a natural born teacher!
Leigh you are generous but I will take it! I think we all become great teachers when we have a passion we love to share.
Thank you for the lesson I must admit I did not know anything about the differences. I do love looms and what they produce. Hug B
Thanks Buttons! I do too and the friends they make. Hugs back
Thank you for your education about How looms work. I have a 45 inch 4 harness Hammett counterbalance loom purchased about 1979. How would I price this for resale online or through a fiber event?
Nancy. Please send me an email at walnettofarm@gmail.com
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