Using the Weaving Looms
In order to weave on the floor loom, you must first check the schedule to make sure that you have reserved the loom. Reservations run on a 2-week rotation. Weaving takes time, especially set up, so sign up early and make sure to plan to finish your project during that 2-week time period.
STEP 1: RESERVE YOUR SLOT
LOOM SIGNUP SHEET
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WdukwMpnChS6zzCrGIUI8IbakHCg4IDHrDuDnU-5EIg/edit?usp=sharing
STEP 2: ARRANGE A LOOM SETUP MEETING WITH ASHLEY BY EMAIL
Loom setup will take at least 2 hours. Send an email to Ashley with some times that you would be available to get your loom warped and threaded in preparation for weaving.
STEP 3: COLLECT YOUR MATERIALS
Before your loom setup/training, you should make sure that you have all of the yarn that you need for your warp purchased and in hand.
To calculate how much warp yarn you need, consider the following:
How wide do you want to weave the fabric?
(Ex. 24”)
How thick or thin is your yarn, and how many yarns do you want per inch? Usually somewhere between 10-15 is customary, but depends on the yarn.
(Ex. 24 x 10 ypi= 240 warp ends)
How long do you want your warp (cloth to be?) I would go minimum of 3 yards in order to weave enough material to make a garment- depends on what you will use the fabric. Also would add atleast 1 foot of yarn on either end for the beginning and end.
( Ex. 3 yrds= 108 inches. 108 inches + 24 inches (fringes/beginning-end) = 132 inches. 132 x 240 = 31,680 )
31, 680 total inches of yarn needed or
31,680 inches/12= 2640 feet of yarn needed or
2640/3= 880 yards of yarn needed
Usually yarn packages come in 150-200 yard skeins, so using the above calculation, you would need about 6 skeins for a 24” wide x 3 yard long fabric. Check the amount on the yarn you want to use, and plan accordingly.
HELPFUL WEAVING LINKS
Calculating the warp length:
https://schachtspindle.com/warp-and-weft-calculator/
How to wind your warp:
How to thread the loom:
Weaving Materials:
MACOMBER (4-HARNESS FLOOR LOOM)
Instruction Manual:
SCHATT SPINDLE BABY WOLF (8-HARNESS COMPACT FLOOR LOOM)
Instruction Manuals + Info:
https://uc.box.com/s/zc3oh9gs3bf4s050nb0brczz7aoj27kl
https://uc.box.com/s/gniosx6yr6deu7plbv3yephqxtww59ri
Videos:
WARPING BOARDS
YARN SPOOLERS
The Yarn Swift is an essential tool for any knitter or crocheter, the Yarn Swift holds your hanks or skeins of yarn in place as you wind them into balls.Simply clamp the swift onto a table or counter top to start winding yarn neatly and easily. Starting with the umbrella in the down position, place the open loop of the hank over the swift and pull it lightly so the far side of the hank is against the center of the umbrella. Then, use your free hand to slide up the umbrella clamp and open the umbrella to snuggly fit the circumference of the hank. Finally, secure the umbrella clamp in place and then wind away. See the tutorial below to learn how to use the Yarn Swift to wind your yarn.