Threading the heddles

This is my next project in the throes of the threading process. It is going to be two baby blankets, in overshot - the pattern is "Wandering Vine", aka "Cat Track and Snail Trail", which sounds much more imaginative.

I've just worked out how to arrange the loom so that the threading and reed sleying is more comfortable and won't break my back like it normally threatens to. The shafts are now hanging much further forward, suspended from bits of string in a rather elaborate system of knots, and balancing on a couple of sticks. I'm terrified of making a threading error so I'm going very slowly and carefully as it's an awful trial trying to correct mistakes later.

Jo, a work colleague and neighbour, is expecting twins, so these blankets are for her and hers.

Web's a wonder.

This is the first piece I have woven on my new big loom. I am pretty relieved that the dear old thing actually works and I quite like the patterns on this, my first eight shaft weave.

It did not quite turn out as expected. The learning curve was just a trifle too steep for me. I intended a chequerboard pattern with squares of about one inch but instead I got tiny squares of maybe a quarter of an inch.

The mistake occurred because the double weave pattern I had chosen was for only one unit and I should have combined the units when threading up the heddles to make a bigger square. At least I think that's the problem.

On the whole I think this first warp is a success - given that it was my first stab at:
countermarch
eight shafts
and double weave.

I haven't the least idea what to do with the fabric - it was just a sacrificial warp of unfavourite yarns whose colours I thought went well together that I put on for my initial set-up. I shall carry on mucking about with it and probably change the tie up when my texsolv cord arrives.

So, onwards and upwards, to infinity ... and beyond.

Weaving loomatic

Well I have not blogged for a while - I've been busy weaving of course. But now there is some big loom news I couldn't bear to keep from you.

Here is a picture of my new loom and a picture of one of the metal adjusters which are a part of this loom's genius. It also has warp and cloth beams which, like Popeye, have been strengthened with iron.

This is the loom I had been looking out for these last few months. I can now weave rugs, as well as lighter fabrics. It is a bit too wide for me but maybe it is possible to weave wide without a fly shuttle device - I shall find out.

In case you are wondering, it is a Swedish countermarche, eight shaft loom. It was designed by Ulla Cyrus in the 1940s. I am currently dipping into Ulla Cyrus' book about handweaving which is proving very useful for assembling a dismantled loom. I don't think these looms are made any more, the Glimakra Standard loom is probably its closest relative. My loom is now on its third owner. It is probably getting on for sixty years old and has the appearance of having led an interesting life so far and looking forward to lots more weaving projects. I hope we shall become great friends.