Category: Cræft bið bætera þonne æht (A skill is better than possessions) Learn a new skill
Entrant: Glenn of Hareby
Title: Weaving on a Warp-Weighted Loom
I’ve always wanted to try using a warp weighted loom. The idea of using a weaving tool that has been in use
from the Neolithic period through to the Middle Ages, appealed.
Dreaming big I imagined one day I could fashion such a loom from some branches and make myself a new
tunic.
Fortunately for me, an already made, warp weighted loom came across my path at the Celtic Summer School I
attended last year. Looking a bit more Mitre 10 in design than Neolithic, it had some old bits of weaving still
attached and a number of lovely home-made clay weights.
Reigning in my ambitions a little, I decided to craft myself a tabby weave (one over, one under) belt.
I removed the unwanted piece of unfinished work still on the loom and using the existing loops (so as not to
interfere with the owner’s arrangements) set it up with Gotland sheep two ply wool I found in an Op Shop.
What did I learn?
The warp threads should have been tied on closer together.at the start
No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get an even tension across the fabric.
Warp threads (going down) should be stronger than weft threads (going across).
Or the threads will break!
Hair.y Gotland sheep wool threads are very good at snagging as they pass each other and need gentle
easing apart.
Or the threads will break!!
Regularly roll the work around the top rail so pressure is not always on the same place on the warp threads
during the weaving process.
Or the threads will break!!!
The more practice you have doing weaver’s knots to repair a broken thread the better you get at them.
So many times!
Warp weighted loom weaving is physically demanding.
You are pushing up against gravity and the best angle of the loom is not necessarily kind on your back.
It took an hour to weave 10cm of the belt.
Final Conclusion
I think it would take me from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages to make a tunic!
I’m glad I only made a belt.
