Hi!
I'm Franco Rios from Sacramento. I have been weaving for the last couple years. I also like to spin.
I'm interested in seeing more info about backstrap loom weaving.
Have a good day!
My blog Franco's Fiber Adventure
Hi Franco,
Welcome to the group and thanks for opening up this introduction thread. Is there anything in particular you would like to see about backstrap weaving? For example, construction and mechanics of the loom? I have posted some projects if you would like to take a look at some of things that are possible to make on this type of loom.
Thank you for your reply.
Is your name Warmi or something else?
If there is a website with samples of the backstrap loom, I would love to see links to them!
Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Hi Warmi, and Franco! I'm Caroline from Australia, and my first loom was a backstrap made from broom handles, way back when............. and the inspiration was Rachel Browns "Weaving Spinning and Dyeing Book", one of the very few weaving books available at that time. Between that, and cards made from playing cards, I managed to weave quite a bit, before building myself an F-shaped inkle loom, and finding a second hand 4 shaft floor loom. I'm still interested, though my interest is not confined to South America as I find the Asian weaving techniques and traditions just as fascinating.
The rise of the internet has made it so much easier to find out about textiles from other countries, and there is sooooo much we can learn from them, and so little time to put it into practice!
Franco, the website you need belongs to Carol Ventura - its fascinating!
http://www.backstrapweaving.com/
Thank you for the link Caroline!
That is an inspiring website.
So I have rigid heddles, an 8 dent and a 10 dent. Would that be better for a beginner to use?
Or should I use a string heddle stick like I use on a Navajo style weaving?
What about making string heddles with an eye in the middle? Then mount that on a wood frame, maybe a picture frame or a canvas frame? I saw a link where a man made heddles with craft sticks/popsicle sticks?
http://www.bobscrafts.com/bobstuff/backstrp.htm
I know where to get broom handle sticks. And I have some wool yarn that I want to weave into scarves without having fringe or tassels. I'm thinking I could warp a six or seven foot piece, then use twining edge cord to get a nice smooth end.
Have a good day!
I think the traditional way is similar to the Navaho string heddle. This is the first shaft. Then there is a large round stick to separate the second shaft naturally. Other picks sit behind that,also on a long string heddle. To make it easier to attach the string heddle, you can make a channel in the wood at each end, otherwise the string can slide off - guess how I know??
Its interesting that in many Asian cultures, the backstrap loom is incorporated into the floor loom, the seated weaver strapped to the front bar of the loom, which can have 4 shafts with heddle harnesses and treadles and a fixed frame. The warp is not wound around the back beam, but while still chained, its tied to an upright pole in the ground, or even stratched back on itself. So there is no one "correct" way to set up a backstrap loom, although each country that still uses it has its own traditions and unique practices. The fabrics woven on these looms is generally magnificent, as in Thai silk, and many of the fine eastern Ikat fabrics. Our 8 and 10 dpi reeds seem very coarse in comparison!
I have a couple of sleeveles jackets made by the Hill Tribes in the Golden Triangle. Both have cross-stitch embroidery, as well as inlay, and are beautifully woven. I'm not sure what the fabric is made from, as its much stiffer than you would expect from cotton. But they were made on backstrap looms many years ago, before civilisation and the Western world became too intrusive, so it might be banana or nettle.
Got it.
Now I just have to find time for this back straploom in the rotation!
Have a good day!
Hello all
I haven't actually tried a backstrap loom yet, but I have plans to! My intention is to get the material to build my loom this summer, and hopefully start weaving on it too. I now there's very little equipment needed to build this kind of loom, but I still need to get the wooden parts, and I never seem to find the time for that.
It's comforting to know there is a forum dedicated to this kind of weaving, once I get started.
My interest in backstrap looms started last fall, just by chance, when I found a book at our local second hand store, called something like Backstrap weaving in Guatemala (Bjerregaard), and then the Online guild had a workshop on it this spring (unfortunatley, I was unable to participate). And now this forum. It feels like the universe is trying to tell me to something... :)
I have the Bjerregaard book, as well as one by Marilyn Anderson on Guatamalan Textiles, and some of my other weaving books too devote a lot of chapters to South American weaving - there is a lot of information around, and once you have the string for the heddles, and a couple of broomsticks, dowel and an S-hook, we won't see you for dust, lol! In some cultures, the first thing you weave is the backstrap itself - a nice belt to hold you inside the loom! I made mine using card weaving, which also uses the backstrap for tension.
And if you don't have a handy tree, you can brace the back beam against your feet and sit on the floor with your legs stretched out, which is when the phone always rings, or the cat sits on your lap, lol!.
Caroline Wrote: "And if you don't have a handy tree, you can brace the back beam against your feet and sit on the floor with your legs stretched out, which is when the phone always rings, or the cat sits on your lap, lol!."
That sounds handy, but what if I want to make something longer than my 30 inch trouser leg measurement?
Have a good day!
Hi Francorios, bolivian warmi here, or Laverne if you prefer. I f you don´t have a convenient tree or post to tie up to perhaps you have something horizontal. I actually prefer lashing the whole far loom bar to something horizontal like the wood at the base of my bed. Perhaps you have a porch rail you could use.The whole thing feels more stable to me that way. Sometimes when you have rope going from each end orf the loom bar to a hook or post the warp tends to flip about. The ideal situation is having something to tie up to AND something to brace your feet against. It is a bit easier on your back. I usually start weaving seated on the floor on one side of my bedroom with nothing against which to brace and gradually creep my way up to my bed , by rolling up the finished work as i go.I have my loom tied to the bed base. as I get closer I get to brace my feet against wood sheets that are under the bed. I could always wind a tubular warp ito make the whole thing shorter and , therefore within reach of my ´´ foot bracer´´ or I could just roll up the excess on the far loom bar by adding an extra rod.You can see photos of my loom set-up on my Flikr page. My user name is Verny2 or use this link......
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39560980@N05/sets/
I have posted instructional photos in response to specific questions from Ravelry members so it´s a bit all over the place! Hope they help in some way.
Hi Manicgirl,
You probably have most of what you need to get started lying about the house. Perhaps you can use the handle of an old broom, mop, garden rake or even toilet plunger..don´t laugh, I´ve done it!!! You will need two lengths from the handle a bit wider than your hip width. you can even use pencils as your lease sticks and heddle rods and weave something almost as wide as the pencils. i did this once when I was on the road and couldn´t find anything else. Most people I have seen like to use some kind of nylony slippery string for their heddle string but I just use the same 8-2 cotton as Igenerally use for the warp. An improvised batten can be made from a wooden ruler. The backstrap may be harder to improvise. I have seen weavers here using those plastic woven sacks that hold rice and grains. They just fold it into a rectangle and scrunch up the ends and tie them into a knot. They tie a rop around the knot and then loop that around the ends of their loom bar. Maybe not that comfortable but something like that will do until you can weave your own backstrap as Caroline said. I once used a kitchen towel in the same way. Anyway.... i have some photos on my flikr pages that you may like to look at........I have posted them in answer to random questions from people at Ravelry so they are a bit all over the place but maybe they will help you to get up and running together with Carol ventura´s wonderful site.
hi Franco, somewhere on Carol Ventura's pages there is a photo of an Indonesian weaver from Bali, if my memory is correct, sitting on the ground with her legs outstretched. The warp is a long one, and the extra is wound onto the warp beam/dowel then lashed to another piece of dowel to stop it unravelling. This is what she keeps under tension with her feet!
In Nepal, they keep the warp chained, and clamp it under tension to a handy upright, which is probably not as convenient if you have to keep getting up to adjust everything to wind the warp on, but given the widths these weavers make, it would not be wound on that frequently. Many of the Asian village looms are a sort of hybrid loom, part backstrap and part floor loom with shafts and treadles, so they can be taken apart for storage in the roof. I stumbled upon this while doing research for another project, so no prize for guessing who got sidetracked, hehe!
I'm now reading about the nomads of Ladahk, who also use backstrap looms, and have their own weaving traditions, and it will be interesting seeing how the techniques compare to the South American techniques, as Ladahk and Nepal have been pretty isolated until the last 20 years or so; parts of Nepal beyond where the roads finish are still only accessible by foot and porter, and its only recently that Pakistan has allowed Westerners into Ladahk, with tragic results.
I'm sure there is a lot that we can learn from these traditional weavers, hopefully before their culture and traditions vanish forever.
Although it looks like her feet are providing the tension in Bali, it's actually the frame that supports the warp on the far end. Her feet are just resting on the bottom of the frame. The backstrap is a carved piece of wood, with a flattened area in the middle for her body.
Thank you Carol, for the explanation. Trying to tension the warp using your legs could really leave you with sore calf muscles, unless you're into yoga! Not to mention what it would do to the coccyx........doesn't bear thinking about! I like my comfort too much these days and once its warm enough to go outside to weave and spin, it will be interesting to see if my backstrap still fits - its over 20 years since I last wore it!
Hi. My name is Tina, but you could probably guess that from my user name. I have several floor looms and have done inkle and card weaving. I also spin. We do a lot of traveling in our RV and so I'm checking out other ways to weave when we're camping without taking up a lot of space with a table loom. I hope to learn a lot from this group!
Hi Tina,
My name is Laverne. I am away from my home right now..I live in Santa Cruz in the jungly lowlands of Bolivia...and I am spending some days up in the highlands visiting some weaving villages and markets. I have just gotten back from a village and have my backstrap loom with work in progress rolled up here with me in my day pack. I took it with me as it is always a great ice-breaker when I travel and want to make contact with the weavers here. At night when I am alone in the hostel I tie up to the bed and weave. So this may be something good for you to take along on your RV trips.
Hi,
I'm interested in backstrap weaving, but haven't actually started yet. I bought a backstrap loom from Weaving Southwest in Taos, New Mexico. It's modeled on the one in Rachel Brown's book, "The Weaving, Spinning, and Dyeing Book." The backstrap itself is a piece of leather wider than a belt that I think will be very comfortable.
Mainly I'm confused by all of the different sets of directions I've accumulated from the web and different books.
I'm interested in weaving the fabrics in the Pervian style described in the book "Double-Woven Treasures from Old Peru" by Adele Cahlander with Suzanne Baizerman.
I think I'm going to start with some narrow pieces with only a few warps before I start on something wider and more complicated.
Now that I'm finding all the backstrap stories here, I'm reading them with great interest and admiring the photographs and projects.
Hi Colleen and welcome to the forum,
I have learned many kinds of weaving techniques on backstrap, ground looms and vertical looms here in Bolivia where I live and also in Peru and Ecuador. I also have the book you mention ''Double-Woven Treasures of Old Peru''. It's fabulous. I am sure that i will be able to help you weave something from there and we can all help with setting up your loom. I have a project on my loom right now and my next one will be the balanced double cloth on page 52. I have not seen anyone here who still practices this technique although I have been told that the Huichol in Mexico do.
I have kept detailed notebooks of the techniques I have learned with step- by- step photos which I can upload here when needed. Is there any particular project that you are interested in and which I can help you with? It is indeed a good idea to start with narrow pieces and there are many ideas for those in the Cahlander book.
Are you able to upload photos of your backstrap and loom to the other ''getting started'' thread?. We would love to see them.
Laverne
Could I ask what you are reading about Ladahk and Nepal? I'm very interested in Central Asian weaving and have been working to learn how to use a ground loom and trying to learn to weave yurt bands. I found a video of a Mongolian man weaving on a backstrap loom just yesterday, tied to the side of his yurt. I'm rabidly interested in Central Asian weaving. Thansk, Virag:>
hello,
im jess, i live in cornwall and am actually a spinner, braider (mainly sling braiding at the moment) and learner tablet weaver. i stumbled across backstrap looms on ravelry and realy fancy having a go. large static looms have never realy apealed to me (thus the tablet weaving) , i prefer the simplicity and portability of something that can be packed away and carried very eaily (im a spindle spinner if you havent alredy guessed).
ps. i sould probubly mention that im dyslexic , and therefore my spelling should be taken with a pich of salt.
Hi Jess,
Welcome to the group.I learned sling braiding in Peru many years ago and have a small collection of slings from Peru and Bolivia. Are you using Adele Cahlander's book or did you learn from someone over there in Cornwall or in another country?
On our ''getting started in backstrap weaving'' thread you will see photos and links posted by members to help you put together a basic loom.
I always travel with my loom rolled up in my daypack,a drop spindle and a portable warping board.
Hope you will get inspired here to start backstrap weaving.
Laverne
hi Jess, I'm a spindler too. I like getting really close to the fibres and feel them slip through my fingers as they become yarn. I'm probably as fast on a spindle now as I am on a wheel. My first attempt at weaving was using cards - in a backtrap loom. I haven't done it for many years, but I have a large pergola out the back that begs to be used in summer. I'm an Aussie so its wet and miserable here at the moment.
Virag, the book I'm reading about Ladakh is called "Living Fabric weaving among the Nomads of Ladakh Himalaya" by Monisha Ahmed. I got it through amazon second-hand. The other little booklet I have is a monograph by Susie Dunsmore called "the Nettle in Nepal". This can only be obtained in the UK via WH Smith booksellers, and I'm lucky, I still have family there.
Thank you very much. I just ordered it off Amazon for eight dollars and am looking forward to reading it:>. I actually have an uncle in England who's traveling home this summer so I will email him tomorrow and see if he can obtain the Dunsmore book for me...maybe I'll get very lucky:>. Thank you for this information!
i learned sping braiding from a very nice chap i met when i joined the local WSD group . he also recommended cahlanders book, and i also managed to get my hands on a copy of owens one. cant find a supplyer for taka's book though, if you know of one in the uk (i can only find them in the US, very annoying) please say.
caroline, ive tried a wheel but couldnt get on with it (i wish i could spin as fast as one though). i learnt to spin by making weaving yarn (actually a good thing, as overtwist, which i was prone to, wasnt a problem.) i would never give up the ability to go for a walk with my spinning gear and just plonk myself down and spin wherever i want. veyr relaxing.
i learned sping braiding from a chap i met at the local WSD guild. he recommended cahlanders book, i also have a copy of owens but cant get my hands on Tada's (if any one knows of a supplier in the UK, please say as i can only find US suppliers.)
caroline, i love to spin, though couldnt get on with a wheel (id love to spin as fast as one though). i learnt to spin by making weaving yarn. probubly a good thing as i had a tednsancy to put too much twist in. im trying to master the subtile art of knittable singles at the moment. i love the freedome of taking my spinning kit for a walk and just setting down whereever i like to spin, wouldnt trade that for anything.
Thanks Jess. Could you give me the names of the Owen and Taka books? I would love to get them. Thanks, Laverne
Roderick Owen's book has gone by two different names (no idear why)
Braids; 250 patterns from japan, peru and beyond (this seems to be the name of the most recent reprint)
but it also goes by "the big book of sling and rope braids"
i found this book a bit tricky to find in the uk, but it seems to be avalable from america more easily.
Makiko Tada's book "comprehensive treatise on braids ii; andean braids" (wich i would dearly like to get my hands on) seems only to be avalble from several sources (see link below) and is in japanese with an english intro but aparently the diagrams are rather self explanitory.
www.texte.co.jp/makiko/book.html
there are a couple other papers and bits ive run across on the subject, but they seem to be either so old they are practically unusable (before sling braiding was widely understood) or so obscure that they are probubly going to be impossible to get your hands on. the most promosingfollow, there are several others in the back of cahlanders book but im not going to write them all out now (if your interested i'll pm them to you).
"Cloth, the Andean art" by Ed Franquemont
"sling braids in the macosani area of peru" by elayne zorn
Hi, I'm a felter, spinner, and beginner weaver. I enjoy tablet weaving, inkle, rigid heddle, tapestry, and cut pile weaving and so far plainweave on my 4 shaft loom. I'm rabidly interested in Central Asian weaving styles which has caused me to start making ground looms to experiment with---backstrap looms on stakes:>. I'm struggling to learn how to use the backstrap right now and very appreciative of the info and help Laverne has given me. Right now I have a small backstrap loom tied to my 4 shaft loom and am working on getting the tension right to open and close sheds. My next project will be a pebbleweave strap on it. I'm currently practicing the technique on my inkle loom but with the shed set up like a simple backstrap loom ...
I'm really looking forward to learning a lot more about weaving on the backstrap loom and the various hybrid types of these looms:>.
Hi all!
I've been backstrap weaving for a few months but am very much a novice. I like to make hair bands and mandolin straps from yarn. I also have an inkle loom but need to get a bok so I fully understand how to use it-(got it to make more detailed mandolin straps) I also am learning how to spin using a drop spindle. I play Irish,medieval & ren styles on mandolin,along with some old time fiddle tunes. Looking foward to getting to know everybody!
Hi Sherrie,
Do you have any photos of your pieces to post here? We'd love to see them and the loom you are using too.
Laverne
I was wrong! I just received the following from Jean Howe of Threads of Life, who says, "Yes the feet up against the forward brace of the loom is critical as it is what gives the tension in the loom. She actually adjusts her tension by moving forward or backwards to release the tension at the strap around her back."
Hi all,
I'm Reetta and I've just started weaving - as a kid I played around a bit with a rigid heddle and a type of backstrap band weaving loom, but haven't done much since then. I knit, crochet and now also spin and I've always been interested in weaving, but there hasn't been space or time for a loom!
Lately on Ravelry (my screen name is Wanderingskopos there, too) weaving-related things have kept popping up, one thing led to another and I realised that while a floor loom won't work, a backstrap loom could be rigged up very easily from a few sticks and a bit of string. A couple of days ago I did just that and warped up for a narrow band! It's a lot of fun, exactly as I remember it from my childhood attempts, and I'm looking forward to learning more.
Hi My name is Karina I live in the UK. I am so far not a weaver, but am aiming to change that. I would love to learn how to make my own backstrap loom and then learn how to use it. I usually knit and have just recently learn to crochet. i also have a spinning wheel but so far have not learnt how to use it. My 3 year old daughter keeps interferring with it when it is out so will try again when she goes to playgroup everyday starting September.
Hi and welcome to both Karina and Reetta.
Reetta, thanks for all the links you posted to the ''links thread''- a great opportunity to see weaving from your part of the world. My mission now is to track down that book.
Karina,hopefully the things that members have posted so far on the ''getting started'', ''warping'' and ''heddling devies'' threads will enable you to buid and set up your own backstrap loom. If not, there are plenty of people here willing and able to answer your questions.
Laverne
Hi everyone, I have a long-time interest in learning backstrap weaving, but don't have a backstrap loom yet. Last week we had some guests from the Association of Andean Artisans, traditional Quechua and Ayamara weavers from the highlands of central Bolivia at the MN Weavers Guild giving a demonstration and presentation. They inspired me to start thinkng about backstrap weaving again. I have Rachel Brown's book and Double Weave of Peru. Laverne, your photos are wonderful! Thanks for sharing them. I'd love to go to S.America and learn from the masters.
Jan
Hi jan,
Wonderful that the Bolivian weavers went to visit you guys. Did you take photos? Can we see one or two-you can post here.
Do read the tips here and try and put a loom together. There are four members that I know of that have that ''Double Woven Treasures of Old Peru'' book and maybe we can have a weave-along at some stage picking a project from that book. Another excellent book is 'The Art of Bolivian Highland Weaving''also by Adele Cahlander.
Laverne
HI Laverne, Sorry I din't take pictures. I wish I would have.
I have looked at "The Art of Bolivian Highland Weaving". It is on my wish list. :~)
Jan
Sling braiding?
I probably should not ask because I need another project like a bug needs another squirt of Black Flag insecticide.
But what is sling braiding?
Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Hi Everyone. I just joined this group and having read all of the introductions I'm really glad I did. I have done tablet weaving and Navajo style tapestries, but not on a backstrap loom. I'm mostly interested because I love the primitive practicality of these simple weaving arrangements. I also love the textiles made on them.
Bonnie.
I think I 'll start a new topic for getting suggestions for a weave-along some time in the next months. Hopefully that will get some folks excited about putting a loom together.
Laverne
I am a spinner, weaver, fish net maker, basket weaver, knitter among sundry crafts. I went to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2007 when the Mekong river region was presented and there were many extraordinary weavers there. Some were backstrap weavers and I became fascinated with them. I don't have one and haven't woven on one but am excited to learn and connect with others who do weave on them.
Hi and welcome. Did you happen to take pictures of the Mekong River weavers?-would love to see them.
There are lots of tips here on how to put a basic backstrap loom together if you'd like to try and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.
Laverne
Hi, my name is Emma and I'm a wanna-be weaver. The lovely Laverne pushed me in this direction from another website and I thought I'd join up.
I'm from the east coast of Australia, 26 years old and am currently studying Agriculture at a college a few hours from my home town. I spin wool and crochet and although weaving has also interested me I've just never had the time or money to go and buy a loom (or at the moment the space!), so when I saw the idea of Backstrap weaving I though "This might just be what I'm looking for!". So after cruising around several websites I went out and got myself some 3/4 inch dowel and cut it into a bunch of foot long pieces and picked up some cheap rope.
Look forward to chatting with you all and picking up suggestions etc.
Em
hi Emma, I'm Caroline, in Adelaide, just so you know you're not a lone Aussie! This is a lovely bunch of people, and a pretty active forum, so don't be afraid of asking questions! I learned to weave on a backstrap loom, and am coming back to it after a gap of too many years.
Try and get hold of Rachel Brown's book: The Weaving Spinning and Dyeing Book. It is in the public library system, otherwise there is a second -hand copy on ebay au for $20.00. That is an excellent book to start off with! Her explanations are good and the diagrams are excellent, and she has interesting projects. The other books mentioned here are very good, but far more heavy going, so not ideal for a newbie. They are also hideously expensive ( the Cahlender is over $100.00), unless you can find a cheap copy at Amazon.
Pardon me. I just realized I made an imcomplete posting at the beginning of this thread.
I'm Franco Rios from Sacramento. CALIFORNIA USA, I guess I assumed you all would know which city of Sacramento I live in.
I have been weaving for the last couple years. I also like to spin. I tend lean toward primitive fiber tools. I'm interested in seeing more info about backstrap loom weaving. I've finished one piece and am planning the next one to start soon.
Have a good day!
Franco Rios
My blog is Franco's Fiber Adventure
Hello,
My name is Carolyn. I have done a little backstrap weaving. Mostly inkle style straps and and 2 simple scarves. I am really interested in learning new patterning techniques.
I am going to go look at the recommended books section next.
This group seems really well organized and energetic, I am looking forward to learning from everyone!
Carolyn
Hi Carolyn and welcome,
Do you use a rigid heddle on your backstrap loom or do you use string heddles?
We are going to do a weave-along as soon as a couple of new backstrap weaving members are up and running with their looms. We hope to do plain weave for ''never-evers '' and patterning for those with experience. If you have any ideas or suggestions we would love to hear from you on the weave-along thread.
Laverne
Hi Laverne,
I use rigid heddles, but would be interested in learning more about string heddles. Do you make your own as in an inkle loom?
My husband and I worked out a nifty tensioning device for my 16" rh which allows me to weave long, wide (relative to an inkle strap) pieces and roll them up as I go. It also allows me to spread out the warps so that I can weave a balanced weave. Sort of like a simple rigid heddle loom where my body and a tree trunk make up the frame of the loom.
The piece in your photo is beautiful. I would love to hear more about how you learned to make such intricate and beautifully designed work.
I think the weave along is a great idea. I belong to another group where the list mom and a couple of other key people chose a pattern and everyone is weaving something (or several somethings) in that pattern. People apply challenges to themselves at their level. Since I am a relatively new weaver, I chose to make a scarf for my first project, others are making garments or designing the pattern into something far more elaborate and individual.
I like the idea of having two levels to the wal since some folks will be ready for and interested in patterns and some will not, but I think it would be a good idea for the different levels to be tied together somehow. A color scheme or a fiber choice maybe? That way everyone can help everyone else. Also, an album of weavings with common qualities would be wonderful!
Thanks for putting this list together and for your warm welcome!
Carolyn
Wonderful Carolyn!
I think you are the only one here who has actually participated in a weave-along so you input is much appreciated.
We are thinking of doing a double weave band with a pick-up pattern for the experienced backstrap weavers. This is one of the easiest pick-ups of all those I have learned here in South America and you can make the design as simple or as complex as you like. As for the never-evers your suggestions would be welcome. That's an interesting idea to tie the two groups together.
I have yet to try a balanced weave on my backstrap loom but it is high on my list-a double balanced weave that I have in a book-an ancient Peruvian technique so I will do it with string heddles. I think it will be a challenge keeping the warps spread consistently.
I use continuous string heddles like those pictured on the ''heddling device'' page. Both Franco and Caroline have posted pics. I have a slightly different system for winding mine-I think a posted a link to my Flikr page for that- but you will get the idea from those pics.
Please feel free to post a photo of your scarf at the Members' Gallery. I am feeling lonely over there!! I t would be great to see your loom too and the system that your husband made-at the gallery or on the ''getting started'' page. Let me know if you need help with posting pics.
Laverne
Hi, my name is Andrea D Shuman, but I go by the nickname Cookie. I have a 4 Harnest table loom on a stand so it looks more like a floor loom. About 4 rigid heddle loom, a couple of inkle looms and several small looms and looms you do continuous weaving on.
I did but together some dowels that I carved the ends on for a backstrap loom, and although I found a book that shows how to start weaving and do different pick up designs.
Hi Cookie, welcome! Your loom collection sounds a bit like mine, hehe! I think they breed in the dark, lol! We will be having a weave-a-long shortly, organised by Laverne (Bolivian Warmi). At the moment we are waiting for people who are away, or who are waiting on books, so its not starting immediately. It should be fun.
If you think there is a shortage of pre-loved backstrap weaving books in the usual bookshops, you could be right! Several of us have been scouring Amazon and Ebay to see what we can pick up! We do have a thread for links, and another one for books, so you are welcome to browse, and add your own links and reading suggestions. Laverne is also very knowledgeable and is on here most days, and you will find everyone friendly and helpful so please feel free to ask any questions, as someone will have a solution, or have done exactly the same thing.
I'm an Australian, which is why I operate on a different time system to other weavers, but we have members from all around the world, which is great!
Thanks for welcoming to this Backstrap Group. I'm still learning my way around Weavolution. The problem I'm having now is posting photos of project I've done that I would like to show. I have the description of the project, but no photo to show for it and I have photos in my hard drive, but for some strange reason, this program is not accepting my uploads. Very frustrating.
Cookie
This is a problem we are all having - the upload has just been updated, and we are all re-learning how to do it, grrrr. If you have a look at the Home page, there is a description of how to do it thats just been put out. I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Good luck!
Hi,
My name is Ezara and I recently learned the very basics of backstrap weaving from Abby Franquemont. While I have years to go before I could even consider myself an adequate weaver, I loved learning this weaving method and hope to continue learning and improving.
Welcome to the obsession.
Have a good day!
Hi Ezara,
We heard about Abby's workshop from Kath who is also in this group. It sounded like a wonderful class. I know that Kath has been busy at home finishing her bands. How about you? It would be great if you could post pictures of them on the Members' Gallery page. We saw some pictures that Beth took during the workshop and Abby posted pics of the prepared bands over at Ravelry. Did you happen to take any photos during the workshop too?
Hope that you will be joining our weave-along which will be starting soon-in about a week I would say.
Laverne
I think this is the link to the blog
http://threesheeps.blogspot.com/2009/07/this-past-week-was-veryveryvery-...
Have a good day!
Hi, I'm Sharon from Newark, Delaware, weaving for 13 years. I really love South and Central American weaving.
Several years ago I purchased on ebay the Nilus LeClerc Maya loom which is a backstrap loom and has a rigid heddle. I also purchased all the dowels needed to make a traditional backstrap loom. I haven't used the Maya or made the backstrap loom yet. I was planning to start in October when we go to Florida for the winter. This group is a great opportunity for me to learn before I jump right in.
The books I've read on the subject, which are in my personal library, include: Peru-Textiles Unlimited Part II, Latin American Brocades-Supplementary Weft Techniques, Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands, Bolivian Tubular Edging and Andean Crossed-Warp Techniques (decorative edging and joining technique for finished backstrap weaving), Backstrap Weaving, Backstrap Weaving in Mesoamerica, and Weaving on a Backstrap Loom. A great video which I keep at hand is Tubular Woven Finishes-Backstrap Loom Techniques, by Jacquetta Nisbet. As you can see, I love books!
Aside from trying different and unusual weave structures, I also enjoy spinning, knitting and sewing. One of my "treasures" is a $1.00 Florida thrift shop find. It's an actual backstrap woven piece, (about 12 x 15 inches) still on the hand carved dowels, with heddles in place. I believe it's a child's practice piece.
Hi Sharon,
Welcome to the group!
I am a book lover too and am always adding to my South American collection. I think I have all those that you mention except the Mesoamerica one. If the ''Backstrap Weaving'' one you mention is the one by taber and Anderson, then that is the perfect ''how-to'' one to get started on. I am interested to hear more about that video as I love the tubular woven finishes. I learned one with my teacher in Potosi and I have doe a lot of the crsossed warp bands from the book you mention above too-wonderfuly clear instructions but I have not met anyone yet here in Bolivia who can show me that.
we have a trhread just for book recommendations if you would like to list any of yours there-easier for folks to find.
And what about your thrift shop treasure? Do you know where it is from? Maybe you can post a picture here and we can try to identify it.
I hope you find lots of useful information here and please ask all the questions you like. Would love to see you up and running with your backstrap loom by October!
Laverne
PS We have a thread called ''getting started in backstrap weaving''. I would love it if you posted a photo of your LeClerc loom there. We have a lot about home made looms there but it would be nice to see what is available ready-made.
Hi Laverne,
Yes, my book on Backstrap weaving is the one by Taber and Anderson. I also have the one by Cahlander, Handwoven Treasures from Peru (I think that's the title). The video I mentioned is available from Yarn Barn in Kansas. It is fantastic for learning the crossed warp bands. Of course I've never done one, but the way it is presented is clear and concise. I just haven't had the uninterrupted time to "sit and learn."
When we get to Florida I will definitely post a photo of my handwoven "treasure" . I am almost positive it is from Guatemala. There is a large population of Guatemalan people in the town. I also just recently purchased on ebay, a large envelope full of Guatemalan embroidery patterns, which could also be used for pick-up patterns in weaving. I can't wait to get started!
I will try to get my Maya loom photo posted soon. I'm not sure if it is made anymore by LeClerc.
Sharon
Hi, I'm Layne,
I made my backstrap loom out of stuff hanging about in my craft room/studio. It's primative, to say the least but it gives me an idea of how they work. I made a rigid heddle for it - only 25 warp threads wide but like I said, it was a learning process - from a piece of craft wood I got for less than a dollar at Michaels. The rest of it is basically scrap wood I had left over from other projects. Right now it's warped with peaches & cream and the weft is the same fiber, just a different color. The pattern is a simple twill, I haven't gotten brave enough to try anything more complicated yet since I'm still perfecting the loom itself. The whole thing cost me hmmmmm maybe $5.00, but like I said, it was all stuff I had on hand.
Layne
Hello Layne,
welcome to the group. I Hope you have had a chance to look around on the other threads in this group. Then you will see that Franco made his own loom at super low cost too-you may have even outdone him in the low cost department!
We have a members' gallery thread where you can post your finished projects or those in progress. As you are already warped up, it would be great to see a photo of your loom and warp and others of your work as it grows on the loom. It will inspire others who are also getting their sticks and bits and pieces together.
Laverne
Hi Layne,
I have my 16inch backstrap warped up with Peaches & Cream white and will use Sugar and Creme in "Hot" colors for stripes. I'm making a hand towel/dishtowel. I like using the backstrap because I can weave with finished edges on all four sides.
I'll post pictures in the next couple of days.
How did you make your rigid heddle?
I'm using a string heddle stick.
Have a good day!
Hi I'm Beth from Michigan (not the Spinning Loft Beth, another one :-)) I'm hoping to start weaving on a backstrap loom fairly soon.
Welcome to the group!
What kind of loom are you weaving on now?
Have a good day!
Hi not-the-spinning-loft Beth, and welcome! We are a very cosmopolitan lot here, with group members from around the world, so there is probably someone around 24/24. I'm in Australia so its breakfast time for me!
We have all sorts of info on setting up looms and getting started, so if you need to know anything, feel free to ask. There are not very many instruction books around so we teach each other. Franco's blog is a good place to start. And feel free to use the Weavo PM system too; you will find everyone here happy to help get you off and running in your new addiction..........er, new hobby, lol!
Off for my second cuppa!
Hello -
My name is Carolyn and I live in Illinois not too far from Chicago. I have become aware of backstrap weaving and really want to give it a try. I've done just a bit of weaving on my 8 harness Baby Wolf. I enjoy it all except for the darned warping. I'm hoping to learn more from all of you.
Hi Carolyn,
Well the good news is warping for the backstrap loom is EASY-straight off the lom stake and onto the loom bars-no cutting or threading-install some string heddles and you are set. We are running a beginner weave along to get familiar with the loom, opening the sheds, making string heddles etc and you are welcome to join in. We haven't started weaving yet and folks are getting all their sticks and bits to put a loom together.
I am going o send you a PM (message) with more info about the group forum.
Welcome!
Laverne
Hi - I'm Brian from England - if anyone is curious the weird user name is my ham-radio callsign so my other hobbies fit in with my technical work in computing.
Weaving was intended to be a relaxing, practical escape from a job where I actually produce nothing tangible. However I seem to get precious little spare time to weave and so tackle simple projects on the Inkle looms (I have 3, floor, table and mini). My 4/8 shaft Ashford loom has a sample warp on it but ...
I'm particularly interested in South and Central American Weaving and am in awe of the beauty of work produced with very simple backstrap looms. I do have a couple of good backstrap books and a home-made set of parts for a backstrap loom but have yet to use them. Hopefully I will find time to take part in the next beginners weave-along. I'm pretty familar with pick-up patterns on the Inkle so hopefully once i have the technique for the backstrap loom I will soon become inventive.
I have a blog which, sadly, is quite rarely updated but if anyone is interested there are pictures of some of my inkle pick up patterns, a tablet weaving project I've left unfinished and a few of my 4 shaft projects http://loomatic.blogspot.com
Hi Brian. Welcome! I checked out your blog-really nice bands!! I have that Lida Hendrickson book too and just love all her gorgeous lettering. I am trying to transfer her designs to double weave so I can do them on my backstrap but that is a project that keeps getting interrupted.
Backstrap weaving will be perfect for your campervan trips. You can even set it up outside, tie up to a tree and use sticks and bits lying about as your cross sticks and heddle stick!
There is till time to join this beginner weave along-we are still getting loom parts together. However, the instructions will alwyas be there so you can follow those any time you like-always more fun and motivating to start something with a group though.
Which backstrap books do you have?
Laverne
Thanks for the compliment - I'm still learning the Inkle loom but enjoy playing with pick-up patterns. Sadly the campervan rusted away underneath us but we still camp in tents and are hoping for a new campervan as soon as we can afford one. On a recent vacation a backstrap loom would have been ideal - I had loads of spare time but quite a few flights so even my mini-inkle would have been an inconvenience and candidate to get broken. Also Liz (my wife) and I do electronics and ham radio with Boy and Girl Scouts so it would be cool to use free time attached to a tree by a length of warp! It might even get inspire some of the youngsters to want to weave.
As for books - I love books and have way too many - Ebay is often a great place to indulge quite cheaply. I have the following that are relevant to backstrap weaving:
Backstrap Weaving - Taber/Anderson
Weaving on a backstrap loom - de Rodriguez/Ziek
The Art of Bolivian highland weaving - Cason/Cahlander
Double woven treasures from old Peru - Cahlander
Brian
My backstrap loom goes on flights with me everywhere. I declare the wood when I enter a country but have never had any problem with that.
I have those books that you listed above. The Taber/Anderson one is wonderful for getting started and I love both Cahlander's books. In fact, I am doing the balanced double weave in her Peru book at the moment. This technique is not woven here anymore but I want to learn it in order to repoduce some pre-Columbian fragments that I have. Someone told me that this technique is still practiced by one group in Mexico. A lot of people find Cahlander very ''dense''. I think I was lucky to have been able to go to Peru and learn with my first teacher shortly after picking up her book so that on my return, things made more sense. Once you work out her system, she is a lot easier to follow.
Again, I got the Rodriguez/Ziek book before actually going to Guatemala last year.
Those are all lovely books to sit and drool over and the best ''how-to'' ones around.
Laverne
Hi, I'm Jen :) I'm relatively new to backstrap weaving; I've woven my backstrap, a card-woven bookmark, and a random strap. My project for the back-to-school weavealong will be a scarf if it turns out.
I'm a homeschooling mama to a 6yo boy. Besides that, I'm a private English tutor in Mexico.
I like to make stuff and I hate to clean house. I spin, sew, knit, and crochet. I adore weaving and hope to be good at it someday :)
Nice to meet you all!
Hi Jen,
I teach English too. Where in Mexico are you? Do you have a photo for our page ''My little corner of the world''? Here's the link.
Laverne
I'm in Tijuana. It's super ugly here, but if you want me to post a picture, I suppose I could take one...
Yes yes we want a photo, super feo o no! I have never been to Tijuana-never been to Mexico for that matter.
It would seem I put my intro in the wrong place. sorry! I didn;t spot it.
Aquinnah
Hey Mandolinchick,
Fellow mandolin/strap weavers/players unite. Isn't this backstrap stuff fun! I'm looking forward to doing the double weave bit. Have you gotten started yet?
Aunt Janet
Hi everyone! I'm Sasha and I don't weave at all yet :) I've been knitting and crocheting for forever, and just recently learned to spin. I've always been fascinated by weaving, and many years ago I tried to teach myself to weave on a backstrap loom, but the combination of a) never having woven before and b) my instructions being for card weaving, but with no diagrams made it all but impossible to figure out.
I'm really looking forward to making a loom and experimenting with weaving. I have my first project all charted out, but silly grad school is taking up too much of my time to start right now. I'll probably try to get set up over Christmas break.
Thanks so much for this fabulous resource! I'm so glad I found this group :D
hi Sasha,and welcome! I first used a backstrap with card-weaving years ago, following the instructions in the Rachel Brown "Weaving Spinning and Dyeing Book". I hooked up to a curtain rail! I still hook up for card-weaving rather than try and use a loom.
Laverne has lots of information and tutorials here and is busy indexing it all so its easier to find, and she also has links to off-site photos and videos so you can see exactly what it is you are supposed to be doing, so there is plenty to read about. If you get confused or need to ask a question, just start a new thread and someone will be along to answer - once the threads get to more than 30 postings long it gets hard to locate new posts and your question can get lost or over-looked. This problem should be fixed next week when the forums get an overhaul.
In the meantime the most important information has been fixed to the top of the forums and there are a bunch of tutorials to take you from getting your loom together to weaving pretty bands with doubleweave.
Hi Everyone--
I'm a very new weaver, just learning the basics of backstrap weaving after putting together a loom this week. Laverene's article on Weavezine helped answer my questions, so thank you for such a great article!
I picked up knitting (on round looms) about three years ago and have gradually added some simple weaving (on square looms like the 4" Weave-it). About a month ago, I met a weaver and after spending an hour chatting about weaving, I found I had a real interest--but no $$ to buy a loom. So, I was encouraged to give backstrap weaving a chance. I'm so glad I did! It's fascinating. I'm really looking forward to learning from this group.
Kim
hi Kim and welcome,
I love your avatar. I think your cat is ging to enjoy your backstrap loom! Mine is just plain bored with it now. She lies on the bed while I weave. I tie up to the bed so she gets jiggled about as I beat in the weft.
Take a look around the forum and check out the tutorials. If you have any questions just start a new topic thread. Sounds like you will be up and weaving soon if you have already put a loom together. We all look forward to hearing about your progress.
Laverne
Thanks for the nice welcome, Laverne. I can see that this is "the" place for information about backstrap weaving.
My cat! I thought I had him trained to just sit and watch the yarn, but when I started with the loom this week... well, let's just say he lost it and pounced! Of course, he's so cute that I forgive him every time.
Kim
Hi Franco,
Welcome to the group and thanks for opening up this introduction thread. Is there anything in particular you would like to see about backstrap weaving? For example, construction and mechanics of the loom? I have posted some projects if you would like to take a look at some of things that are possible to make on this type of loom.
Thank you for your reply.
Is your name Warmi or something else?
If there is a website with samples of the backstrap loom, I would love to see links to them!
Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Hi Warmi, and Franco! I'm Caroline from Australia, and my first loom was a backstrap made from broom handles, way back when............. and the inspiration was Rachel Browns "Weaving Spinning and Dyeing Book", one of the very few weaving books available at that time. Between that, and cards made from playing cards, I managed to weave quite a bit, before building myself an F-shaped inkle loom, and finding a second hand 4 shaft floor loom. I'm still interested, though my interest is not confined to South America as I find the Asian weaving techniques and traditions just as fascinating.
The rise of the internet has made it so much easier to find out about textiles from other countries, and there is sooooo much we can learn from them, and so little time to put it into practice!
Franco, the website you need belongs to Carol Ventura - its fascinating!
http://www.backstrapweaving.com/
Thank you for the link Caroline!
That is an inspiring website.
So I have rigid heddles, an 8 dent and a 10 dent. Would that be better for a beginner to use?
Or should I use a string heddle stick like I use on a Navajo style weaving?
What about making string heddles with an eye in the middle? Then mount that on a wood frame, maybe a picture frame or a canvas frame? I saw a link where a man made heddles with craft sticks/popsicle sticks?
http://www.bobscrafts.com/bobstuff/backstrp.htm
I know where to get broom handle sticks. And I have some wool yarn that I want to weave into scarves without having fringe or tassels. I'm thinking I could warp a six or seven foot piece, then use twining edge cord to get a nice smooth end.
Have a good day!
I think the traditional way is similar to the Navaho string heddle. This is the first shaft. Then there is a large round stick to separate the second shaft naturally. Other picks sit behind that,also on a long string heddle. To make it easier to attach the string heddle, you can make a channel in the wood at each end, otherwise the string can slide off - guess how I know??
Its interesting that in many Asian cultures, the backstrap loom is incorporated into the floor loom, the seated weaver strapped to the front bar of the loom, which can have 4 shafts with heddle harnesses and treadles and a fixed frame. The warp is not wound around the back beam, but while still chained, its tied to an upright pole in the ground, or even stratched back on itself. So there is no one "correct" way to set up a backstrap loom, although each country that still uses it has its own traditions and unique practices. The fabrics woven on these looms is generally magnificent, as in Thai silk, and many of the fine eastern Ikat fabrics. Our 8 and 10 dpi reeds seem very coarse in comparison!
I have a couple of sleeveles jackets made by the Hill Tribes in the Golden Triangle. Both have cross-stitch embroidery, as well as inlay, and are beautifully woven. I'm not sure what the fabric is made from, as its much stiffer than you would expect from cotton. But they were made on backstrap looms many years ago, before civilisation and the Western world became too intrusive, so it might be banana or nettle.
Got it.
Now I just have to find time for this back straploom in the rotation!
Have a good day!
Hello all
I haven't actually tried a backstrap loom yet, but I have plans to! My intention is to get the material to build my loom this summer, and hopefully start weaving on it too. I now there's very little equipment needed to build this kind of loom, but I still need to get the wooden parts, and I never seem to find the time for that.
It's comforting to know there is a forum dedicated to this kind of weaving, once I get started.
My interest in backstrap looms started last fall, just by chance, when I found a book at our local second hand store, called something like Backstrap weaving in Guatemala (Bjerregaard), and then the Online guild had a workshop on it this spring (unfortunatley, I was unable to participate). And now this forum. It feels like the universe is trying to tell me to something... :)
I have the Bjerregaard book, as well as one by Marilyn Anderson on Guatamalan Textiles, and some of my other weaving books too devote a lot of chapters to South American weaving - there is a lot of information around, and once you have the string for the heddles, and a couple of broomsticks, dowel and an S-hook, we won't see you for dust, lol! In some cultures, the first thing you weave is the backstrap itself - a nice belt to hold you inside the loom! I made mine using card weaving, which also uses the backstrap for tension.
And if you don't have a handy tree, you can brace the back beam against your feet and sit on the floor with your legs stretched out, which is when the phone always rings, or the cat sits on your lap, lol!.
Caroline Wrote: "And if you don't have a handy tree, you can brace the back beam against your feet and sit on the floor with your legs stretched out, which is when the phone always rings, or the cat sits on your lap, lol!."
That sounds handy, but what if I want to make something longer than my 30 inch trouser leg measurement?
Have a good day!
Hi Francorios, bolivian warmi here, or Laverne if you prefer. I f you don´t have a convenient tree or post to tie up to perhaps you have something horizontal. I actually prefer lashing the whole far loom bar to something horizontal like the wood at the base of my bed. Perhaps you have a porch rail you could use.The whole thing feels more stable to me that way. Sometimes when you have rope going from each end orf the loom bar to a hook or post the warp tends to flip about. The ideal situation is having something to tie up to AND something to brace your feet against. It is a bit easier on your back. I usually start weaving seated on the floor on one side of my bedroom with nothing against which to brace and gradually creep my way up to my bed , by rolling up the finished work as i go.I have my loom tied to the bed base. as I get closer I get to brace my feet against wood sheets that are under the bed. I could always wind a tubular warp ito make the whole thing shorter and , therefore within reach of my ´´ foot bracer´´ or I could just roll up the excess on the far loom bar by adding an extra rod.You can see photos of my loom set-up on my Flikr page. My user name is Verny2 or use this link......
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39560980@N05/sets/
I have posted instructional photos in response to specific questions from Ravelry members so it´s a bit all over the place! Hope they help in some way.
Hi Manicgirl,
You probably have most of what you need to get started lying about the house. Perhaps you can use the handle of an old broom, mop, garden rake or even toilet plunger..don´t laugh, I´ve done it!!! You will need two lengths from the handle a bit wider than your hip width. you can even use pencils as your lease sticks and heddle rods and weave something almost as wide as the pencils. i did this once when I was on the road and couldn´t find anything else. Most people I have seen like to use some kind of nylony slippery string for their heddle string but I just use the same 8-2 cotton as Igenerally use for the warp. An improvised batten can be made from a wooden ruler. The backstrap may be harder to improvise. I have seen weavers here using those plastic woven sacks that hold rice and grains. They just fold it into a rectangle and scrunch up the ends and tie them into a knot. They tie a rop around the knot and then loop that around the ends of their loom bar. Maybe not that comfortable but something like that will do until you can weave your own backstrap as Caroline said. I once used a kitchen towel in the same way. Anyway.... i have some photos on my flikr pages that you may like to look at........I have posted them in answer to random questions from people at Ravelry so they are a bit all over the place but maybe they will help you to get up and running together with Carol ventura´s wonderful site.
hi Franco, somewhere on Carol Ventura's pages there is a photo of an Indonesian weaver from Bali, if my memory is correct, sitting on the ground with her legs outstretched. The warp is a long one, and the extra is wound onto the warp beam/dowel then lashed to another piece of dowel to stop it unravelling. This is what she keeps under tension with her feet!
In Nepal, they keep the warp chained, and clamp it under tension to a handy upright, which is probably not as convenient if you have to keep getting up to adjust everything to wind the warp on, but given the widths these weavers make, it would not be wound on that frequently. Many of the Asian village looms are a sort of hybrid loom, part backstrap and part floor loom with shafts and treadles, so they can be taken apart for storage in the roof. I stumbled upon this while doing research for another project, so no prize for guessing who got sidetracked, hehe!
I'm now reading about the nomads of Ladahk, who also use backstrap looms, and have their own weaving traditions, and it will be interesting seeing how the techniques compare to the South American techniques, as Ladahk and Nepal have been pretty isolated until the last 20 years or so; parts of Nepal beyond where the roads finish are still only accessible by foot and porter, and its only recently that Pakistan has allowed Westerners into Ladahk, with tragic results.
I'm sure there is a lot that we can learn from these traditional weavers, hopefully before their culture and traditions vanish forever.
Although it looks like her feet are providing the tension in Bali, it's actually the frame that supports the warp on the far end. Her feet are just resting on the bottom of the frame. The backstrap is a carved piece of wood, with a flattened area in the middle for her body.
Thank you Carol, for the explanation. Trying to tension the warp using your legs could really leave you with sore calf muscles, unless you're into yoga! Not to mention what it would do to the coccyx........doesn't bear thinking about! I like my comfort too much these days and once its warm enough to go outside to weave and spin, it will be interesting to see if my backstrap still fits - its over 20 years since I last wore it!
Hi. My name is Tina, but you could probably guess that from my user name. I have several floor looms and have done inkle and card weaving. I also spin. We do a lot of traveling in our RV and so I'm checking out other ways to weave when we're camping without taking up a lot of space with a table loom. I hope to learn a lot from this group!
Hi Tina,
My name is Laverne. I am away from my home right now..I live in Santa Cruz in the jungly lowlands of Bolivia...and I am spending some days up in the highlands visiting some weaving villages and markets. I have just gotten back from a village and have my backstrap loom with work in progress rolled up here with me in my day pack. I took it with me as it is always a great ice-breaker when I travel and want to make contact with the weavers here. At night when I am alone in the hostel I tie up to the bed and weave. So this may be something good for you to take along on your RV trips.
Hi,
I'm interested in backstrap weaving, but haven't actually started yet. I bought a backstrap loom from Weaving Southwest in Taos, New Mexico. It's modeled on the one in Rachel Brown's book, "The Weaving, Spinning, and Dyeing Book." The backstrap itself is a piece of leather wider than a belt that I think will be very comfortable.
Mainly I'm confused by all of the different sets of directions I've accumulated from the web and different books.
I'm interested in weaving the fabrics in the Pervian style described in the book "Double-Woven Treasures from Old Peru" by Adele Cahlander with Suzanne Baizerman.
I think I'm going to start with some narrow pieces with only a few warps before I start on something wider and more complicated.
Now that I'm finding all the backstrap stories here, I'm reading them with great interest and admiring the photographs and projects.
Hi Colleen and welcome to the forum,
I have learned many kinds of weaving techniques on backstrap, ground looms and vertical looms here in Bolivia where I live and also in Peru and Ecuador. I also have the book you mention ''Double-Woven Treasures of Old Peru''. It's fabulous. I am sure that i will be able to help you weave something from there and we can all help with setting up your loom. I have a project on my loom right now and my next one will be the balanced double cloth on page 52. I have not seen anyone here who still practices this technique although I have been told that the Huichol in Mexico do.
I have kept detailed notebooks of the techniques I have learned with step- by- step photos which I can upload here when needed. Is there any particular project that you are interested in and which I can help you with? It is indeed a good idea to start with narrow pieces and there are many ideas for those in the Cahlander book.
Are you able to upload photos of your backstrap and loom to the other ''getting started'' thread?. We would love to see them.
Laverne
Could I ask what you are reading about Ladahk and Nepal? I'm very interested in Central Asian weaving and have been working to learn how to use a ground loom and trying to learn to weave yurt bands. I found a video of a Mongolian man weaving on a backstrap loom just yesterday, tied to the side of his yurt. I'm rabidly interested in Central Asian weaving. Thansk, Virag:>
hello,
im jess, i live in cornwall and am actually a spinner, braider (mainly sling braiding at the moment) and learner tablet weaver. i stumbled across backstrap looms on ravelry and realy fancy having a go. large static looms have never realy apealed to me (thus the tablet weaving) , i prefer the simplicity and portability of something that can be packed away and carried very eaily (im a spindle spinner if you havent alredy guessed).
ps. i sould probubly mention that im dyslexic , and therefore my spelling should be taken with a pich of salt.
Hi Jess,
Welcome to the group.I learned sling braiding in Peru many years ago and have a small collection of slings from Peru and Bolivia. Are you using Adele Cahlander's book or did you learn from someone over there in Cornwall or in another country?
On our ''getting started in backstrap weaving'' thread you will see photos and links posted by members to help you put together a basic loom.
I always travel with my loom rolled up in my daypack,a drop spindle and a portable warping board.
Hope you will get inspired here to start backstrap weaving.
Laverne
hi Jess, I'm a spindler too. I like getting really close to the fibres and feel them slip through my fingers as they become yarn. I'm probably as fast on a spindle now as I am on a wheel. My first attempt at weaving was using cards - in a backtrap loom. I haven't done it for many years, but I have a large pergola out the back that begs to be used in summer. I'm an Aussie so its wet and miserable here at the moment.
Virag, the book I'm reading about Ladakh is called "Living Fabric weaving among the Nomads of Ladakh Himalaya" by Monisha Ahmed. I got it through amazon second-hand. The other little booklet I have is a monograph by Susie Dunsmore called "the Nettle in Nepal". This can only be obtained in the UK via WH Smith booksellers, and I'm lucky, I still have family there.
Thank you very much. I just ordered it off Amazon for eight dollars and am looking forward to reading it:>. I actually have an uncle in England who's traveling home this summer so I will email him tomorrow and see if he can obtain the Dunsmore book for me...maybe I'll get very lucky:>. Thank you for this information!
i learned sping braiding from a very nice chap i met when i joined the local WSD group . he also recommended cahlanders book, and i also managed to get my hands on a copy of owens one. cant find a supplyer for taka's book though, if you know of one in the uk (i can only find them in the US, very annoying) please say.
caroline, ive tried a wheel but couldnt get on with it (i wish i could spin as fast as one though). i learnt to spin by making weaving yarn (actually a good thing, as overtwist, which i was prone to, wasnt a problem.) i would never give up the ability to go for a walk with my spinning gear and just plonk myself down and spin wherever i want. veyr relaxing.
i learned sping braiding from a chap i met at the local WSD guild. he recommended cahlanders book, i also have a copy of owens but cant get my hands on Tada's (if any one knows of a supplier in the UK, please say as i can only find US suppliers.)
caroline, i love to spin, though couldnt get on with a wheel (id love to spin as fast as one though). i learnt to spin by making weaving yarn. probubly a good thing as i had a tednsancy to put too much twist in. im trying to master the subtile art of knittable singles at the moment. i love the freedome of taking my spinning kit for a walk and just setting down whereever i like to spin, wouldnt trade that for anything.
Thanks Jess. Could you give me the names of the Owen and Taka books? I would love to get them. Thanks, Laverne
Roderick Owen's book has gone by two different names (no idear why)
Braids; 250 patterns from japan, peru and beyond (this seems to be the name of the most recent reprint)
but it also goes by "the big book of sling and rope braids"
i found this book a bit tricky to find in the uk, but it seems to be avalable from america more easily.
Makiko Tada's book "comprehensive treatise on braids ii; andean braids" (wich i would dearly like to get my hands on) seems only to be avalble from several sources (see link below) and is in japanese with an english intro but aparently the diagrams are rather self explanitory.
www.texte.co.jp/makiko/book.html
there are a couple other papers and bits ive run across on the subject, but they seem to be either so old they are practically unusable (before sling braiding was widely understood) or so obscure that they are probubly going to be impossible to get your hands on. the most promosingfollow, there are several others in the back of cahlanders book but im not going to write them all out now (if your interested i'll pm them to you).
"Cloth, the Andean art" by Ed Franquemont
"sling braids in the macosani area of peru" by elayne zorn
Hi, I'm a felter, spinner, and beginner weaver. I enjoy tablet weaving, inkle, rigid heddle, tapestry, and cut pile weaving and so far plainweave on my 4 shaft loom. I'm rabidly interested in Central Asian weaving styles which has caused me to start making ground looms to experiment with---backstrap looms on stakes:>. I'm struggling to learn how to use the backstrap right now and very appreciative of the info and help Laverne has given me. Right now I have a small backstrap loom tied to my 4 shaft loom and am working on getting the tension right to open and close sheds. My next project will be a pebbleweave strap on it. I'm currently practicing the technique on my inkle loom but with the shed set up like a simple backstrap loom ...
I'm really looking forward to learning a lot more about weaving on the backstrap loom and the various hybrid types of these looms:>.
Hi all!
I've been backstrap weaving for a few months but am very much a novice. I like to make hair bands and mandolin straps from yarn. I also have an inkle loom but need to get a bok so I fully understand how to use it-(got it to make more detailed mandolin straps) I also am learning how to spin using a drop spindle. I play Irish,medieval & ren styles on mandolin,along with some old time fiddle tunes. Looking foward to getting to know everybody!
Hi Sherrie,
Do you have any photos of your pieces to post here? We'd love to see them and the loom you are using too.
Laverne
I was wrong! I just received the following from Jean Howe of Threads of Life, who says, "Yes the feet up against the forward brace of the loom is critical as it is what gives the tension in the loom. She actually adjusts her tension by moving forward or backwards to release the tension at the strap around her back."
Hi all,
I'm Reetta and I've just started weaving - as a kid I played around a bit with a rigid heddle and a type of backstrap band weaving loom, but haven't done much since then. I knit, crochet and now also spin and I've always been interested in weaving, but there hasn't been space or time for a loom!
Lately on Ravelry (my screen name is Wanderingskopos there, too) weaving-related things have kept popping up, one thing led to another and I realised that while a floor loom won't work, a backstrap loom could be rigged up very easily from a few sticks and a bit of string. A couple of days ago I did just that and warped up for a narrow band! It's a lot of fun, exactly as I remember it from my childhood attempts, and I'm looking forward to learning more.
Hi My name is Karina I live in the UK. I am so far not a weaver, but am aiming to change that. I would love to learn how to make my own backstrap loom and then learn how to use it. I usually knit and have just recently learn to crochet. i also have a spinning wheel but so far have not learnt how to use it. My 3 year old daughter keeps interferring with it when it is out so will try again when she goes to playgroup everyday starting September.
Hi and welcome to both Karina and Reetta.
Reetta, thanks for all the links you posted to the ''links thread''- a great opportunity to see weaving from your part of the world. My mission now is to track down that book.
Karina,hopefully the things that members have posted so far on the ''getting started'', ''warping'' and ''heddling devies'' threads will enable you to buid and set up your own backstrap loom. If not, there are plenty of people here willing and able to answer your questions.
Laverne
Hi everyone, I have a long-time interest in learning backstrap weaving, but don't have a backstrap loom yet. Last week we had some guests from the Association of Andean Artisans, traditional Quechua and Ayamara weavers from the highlands of central Bolivia at the MN Weavers Guild giving a demonstration and presentation. They inspired me to start thinkng about backstrap weaving again. I have Rachel Brown's book and Double Weave of Peru. Laverne, your photos are wonderful! Thanks for sharing them. I'd love to go to S.America and learn from the masters.
Jan
Hi jan,
Wonderful that the Bolivian weavers went to visit you guys. Did you take photos? Can we see one or two-you can post here.
Do read the tips here and try and put a loom together. There are four members that I know of that have that ''Double Woven Treasures of Old Peru'' book and maybe we can have a weave-along at some stage picking a project from that book. Another excellent book is 'The Art of Bolivian Highland Weaving''also by Adele Cahlander.
Laverne
HI Laverne, Sorry I din't take pictures. I wish I would have.
I have looked at "The Art of Bolivian Highland Weaving". It is on my wish list. :~)
Jan
Sling braiding?
I probably should not ask because I need another project like a bug needs another squirt of Black Flag insecticide.
But what is sling braiding?
Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Hi Everyone. I just joined this group and having read all of the introductions I'm really glad I did. I have done tablet weaving and Navajo style tapestries, but not on a backstrap loom. I'm mostly interested because I love the primitive practicality of these simple weaving arrangements. I also love the textiles made on them.
Bonnie.
I think I 'll start a new topic for getting suggestions for a weave-along some time in the next months. Hopefully that will get some folks excited about putting a loom together.
Laverne
I am a spinner, weaver, fish net maker, basket weaver, knitter among sundry crafts. I went to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2007 when the Mekong river region was presented and there were many extraordinary weavers there. Some were backstrap weavers and I became fascinated with them. I don't have one and haven't woven on one but am excited to learn and connect with others who do weave on them.
Hi and welcome. Did you happen to take pictures of the Mekong River weavers?-would love to see them.
There are lots of tips here on how to put a basic backstrap loom together if you'd like to try and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.
Laverne
Hi, my name is Emma and I'm a wanna-be weaver. The lovely Laverne pushed me in this direction from another website and I thought I'd join up.
I'm from the east coast of Australia, 26 years old and am currently studying Agriculture at a college a few hours from my home town. I spin wool and crochet and although weaving has also interested me I've just never had the time or money to go and buy a loom (or at the moment the space!), so when I saw the idea of Backstrap weaving I though "This might just be what I'm looking for!". So after cruising around several websites I went out and got myself some 3/4 inch dowel and cut it into a bunch of foot long pieces and picked up some cheap rope.
Look forward to chatting with you all and picking up suggestions etc.
Em
hi Emma, I'm Caroline, in Adelaide, just so you know you're not a lone Aussie! This is a lovely bunch of people, and a pretty active forum, so don't be afraid of asking questions! I learned to weave on a backstrap loom, and am coming back to it after a gap of too many years.
Try and get hold of Rachel Brown's book: The Weaving Spinning and Dyeing Book. It is in the public library system, otherwise there is a second -hand copy on ebay au for $20.00. That is an excellent book to start off with! Her explanations are good and the diagrams are excellent, and she has interesting projects. The other books mentioned here are very good, but far more heavy going, so not ideal for a newbie. They are also hideously expensive ( the Cahlender is over $100.00), unless you can find a cheap copy at Amazon.
Pardon me. I just realized I made an imcomplete posting at the beginning of this thread.
I'm Franco Rios from Sacramento. CALIFORNIA USA, I guess I assumed you all would know which city of Sacramento I live in.
I have been weaving for the last couple years. I also like to spin. I tend lean toward primitive fiber tools. I'm interested in seeing more info about backstrap loom weaving. I've finished one piece and am planning the next one to start soon.
Have a good day!
Franco Rios
My blog is Franco's Fiber Adventure
Hello,
My name is Carolyn. I have done a little backstrap weaving. Mostly inkle style straps and and 2 simple scarves. I am really interested in learning new patterning techniques.
I am going to go look at the recommended books section next.
This group seems really well organized and energetic, I am looking forward to learning from everyone!
Carolyn
Hi Carolyn and welcome,
Do you use a rigid heddle on your backstrap loom or do you use string heddles?
We are going to do a weave-along as soon as a couple of new backstrap weaving members are up and running with their looms. We hope to do plain weave for ''never-evers '' and patterning for those with experience. If you have any ideas or suggestions we would love to hear from you on the weave-along thread.
Laverne
Hi Laverne,
I use rigid heddles, but would be interested in learning more about string heddles. Do you make your own as in an inkle loom?
My husband and I worked out a nifty tensioning device for my 16" rh which allows me to weave long, wide (relative to an inkle strap) pieces and roll them up as I go. It also allows me to spread out the warps so that I can weave a balanced weave. Sort of like a simple rigid heddle loom where my body and a tree trunk make up the frame of the loom.
The piece in your photo is beautiful. I would love to hear more about how you learned to make such intricate and beautifully designed work.
I think the weave along is a great idea. I belong to another group where the list mom and a couple of other key people chose a pattern and everyone is weaving something (or several somethings) in that pattern. People apply challenges to themselves at their level. Since I am a relatively new weaver, I chose to make a scarf for my first project, others are making garments or designing the pattern into something far more elaborate and individual.
I like the idea of having two levels to the wal since some folks will be ready for and interested in patterns and some will not, but I think it would be a good idea for the different levels to be tied together somehow. A color scheme or a fiber choice maybe? That way everyone can help everyone else. Also, an album of weavings with common qualities would be wonderful!
Thanks for putting this list together and for your warm welcome!
Carolyn
Wonderful Carolyn!
I think you are the only one here who has actually participated in a weave-along so you input is much appreciated.
We are thinking of doing a double weave band with a pick-up pattern for the experienced backstrap weavers. This is one of the easiest pick-ups of all those I have learned here in South America and you can make the design as simple or as complex as you like. As for the never-evers your suggestions would be welcome. That's an interesting idea to tie the two groups together.
I have yet to try a balanced weave on my backstrap loom but it is high on my list-a double balanced weave that I have in a book-an ancient Peruvian technique so I will do it with string heddles. I think it will be a challenge keeping the warps spread consistently.
I use continuous string heddles like those pictured on the ''heddling device'' page. Both Franco and Caroline have posted pics. I have a slightly different system for winding mine-I think a posted a link to my Flikr page for that- but you will get the idea from those pics.
Please feel free to post a photo of your scarf at the Members' Gallery. I am feeling lonely over there!! I t would be great to see your loom too and the system that your husband made-at the gallery or on the ''getting started'' page. Let me know if you need help with posting pics.
Laverne
Hi, my name is Andrea D Shuman, but I go by the nickname Cookie. I have a 4 Harnest table loom on a stand so it looks more like a floor loom. About 4 rigid heddle loom, a couple of inkle looms and several small looms and looms you do continuous weaving on.
I did but together some dowels that I carved the ends on for a backstrap loom, and although I found a book that shows how to start weaving and do different pick up designs.
Hi Cookie, welcome! Your loom collection sounds a bit like mine, hehe! I think they breed in the dark, lol! We will be having a weave-a-long shortly, organised by Laverne (Bolivian Warmi). At the moment we are waiting for people who are away, or who are waiting on books, so its not starting immediately. It should be fun.
If you think there is a shortage of pre-loved backstrap weaving books in the usual bookshops, you could be right! Several of us have been scouring Amazon and Ebay to see what we can pick up! We do have a thread for links, and another one for books, so you are welcome to browse, and add your own links and reading suggestions. Laverne is also very knowledgeable and is on here most days, and you will find everyone friendly and helpful so please feel free to ask any questions, as someone will have a solution, or have done exactly the same thing.
I'm an Australian, which is why I operate on a different time system to other weavers, but we have members from all around the world, which is great!
Thanks for welcoming to this Backstrap Group. I'm still learning my way around Weavolution. The problem I'm having now is posting photos of project I've done that I would like to show. I have the description of the project, but no photo to show for it and I have photos in my hard drive, but for some strange reason, this program is not accepting my uploads. Very frustrating.
Cookie
This is a problem we are all having - the upload has just been updated, and we are all re-learning how to do it, grrrr. If you have a look at the Home page, there is a description of how to do it thats just been put out. I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Good luck!
Hi,
My name is Ezara and I recently learned the very basics of backstrap weaving from Abby Franquemont. While I have years to go before I could even consider myself an adequate weaver, I loved learning this weaving method and hope to continue learning and improving.
Welcome to the obsession.
Have a good day!
Hi Ezara,
We heard about Abby's workshop from Kath who is also in this group. It sounded like a wonderful class. I know that Kath has been busy at home finishing her bands. How about you? It would be great if you could post pictures of them on the Members' Gallery page. We saw some pictures that Beth took during the workshop and Abby posted pics of the prepared bands over at Ravelry. Did you happen to take any photos during the workshop too?
Hope that you will be joining our weave-along which will be starting soon-in about a week I would say.
Laverne
I think this is the link to the blog
http://threesheeps.blogspot.com/2009/07/this-past-week-was-veryveryvery-...
Have a good day!
Hi, I'm Sharon from Newark, Delaware, weaving for 13 years. I really love South and Central American weaving.
Several years ago I purchased on ebay the Nilus LeClerc Maya loom which is a backstrap loom and has a rigid heddle. I also purchased all the dowels needed to make a traditional backstrap loom. I haven't used the Maya or made the backstrap loom yet. I was planning to start in October when we go to Florida for the winter. This group is a great opportunity for me to learn before I jump right in.
The books I've read on the subject, which are in my personal library, include: Peru-Textiles Unlimited Part II, Latin American Brocades-Supplementary Weft Techniques, Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands, Bolivian Tubular Edging and Andean Crossed-Warp Techniques (decorative edging and joining technique for finished backstrap weaving), Backstrap Weaving, Backstrap Weaving in Mesoamerica, and Weaving on a Backstrap Loom. A great video which I keep at hand is Tubular Woven Finishes-Backstrap Loom Techniques, by Jacquetta Nisbet. As you can see, I love books!
Aside from trying different and unusual weave structures, I also enjoy spinning, knitting and sewing. One of my "treasures" is a $1.00 Florida thrift shop find. It's an actual backstrap woven piece, (about 12 x 15 inches) still on the hand carved dowels, with heddles in place. I believe it's a child's practice piece.
Hi Sharon,
Welcome to the group!
I am a book lover too and am always adding to my South American collection. I think I have all those that you mention except the Mesoamerica one. If the ''Backstrap Weaving'' one you mention is the one by taber and Anderson, then that is the perfect ''how-to'' one to get started on. I am interested to hear more about that video as I love the tubular woven finishes. I learned one with my teacher in Potosi and I have doe a lot of the crsossed warp bands from the book you mention above too-wonderfuly clear instructions but I have not met anyone yet here in Bolivia who can show me that.
we have a trhread just for book recommendations if you would like to list any of yours there-easier for folks to find.
And what about your thrift shop treasure? Do you know where it is from? Maybe you can post a picture here and we can try to identify it.
I hope you find lots of useful information here and please ask all the questions you like. Would love to see you up and running with your backstrap loom by October!
Laverne
PS We have a thread called ''getting started in backstrap weaving''. I would love it if you posted a photo of your LeClerc loom there. We have a lot about home made looms there but it would be nice to see what is available ready-made.
Hi Laverne,
Yes, my book on Backstrap weaving is the one by Taber and Anderson. I also have the one by Cahlander, Handwoven Treasures from Peru (I think that's the title). The video I mentioned is available from Yarn Barn in Kansas. It is fantastic for learning the crossed warp bands. Of course I've never done one, but the way it is presented is clear and concise. I just haven't had the uninterrupted time to "sit and learn."
When we get to Florida I will definitely post a photo of my handwoven "treasure" . I am almost positive it is from Guatemala. There is a large population of Guatemalan people in the town. I also just recently purchased on ebay, a large envelope full of Guatemalan embroidery patterns, which could also be used for pick-up patterns in weaving. I can't wait to get started!
I will try to get my Maya loom photo posted soon. I'm not sure if it is made anymore by LeClerc.
Sharon
Hi, I'm Layne,
I made my backstrap loom out of stuff hanging about in my craft room/studio. It's primative, to say the least but it gives me an idea of how they work. I made a rigid heddle for it - only 25 warp threads wide but like I said, it was a learning process - from a piece of craft wood I got for less than a dollar at Michaels. The rest of it is basically scrap wood I had left over from other projects. Right now it's warped with peaches & cream and the weft is the same fiber, just a different color. The pattern is a simple twill, I haven't gotten brave enough to try anything more complicated yet since I'm still perfecting the loom itself. The whole thing cost me hmmmmm maybe $5.00, but like I said, it was all stuff I had on hand.
Layne
Hello Layne,
welcome to the group. I Hope you have had a chance to look around on the other threads in this group. Then you will see that Franco made his own loom at super low cost too-you may have even outdone him in the low cost department!
We have a members' gallery thread where you can post your finished projects or those in progress. As you are already warped up, it would be great to see a photo of your loom and warp and others of your work as it grows on the loom. It will inspire others who are also getting their sticks and bits and pieces together.
Laverne
Hi Layne,
I have my 16inch backstrap warped up with Peaches & Cream white and will use Sugar and Creme in "Hot" colors for stripes. I'm making a hand towel/dishtowel. I like using the backstrap because I can weave with finished edges on all four sides.
I'll post pictures in the next couple of days.
How did you make your rigid heddle?
I'm using a string heddle stick.
Have a good day!
Hi I'm Beth from Michigan (not the Spinning Loft Beth, another one :-)) I'm hoping to start weaving on a backstrap loom fairly soon.
Welcome to the group!
What kind of loom are you weaving on now?
Have a good day!
Hi not-the-spinning-loft Beth, and welcome! We are a very cosmopolitan lot here, with group members from around the world, so there is probably someone around 24/24. I'm in Australia so its breakfast time for me!
We have all sorts of info on setting up looms and getting started, so if you need to know anything, feel free to ask. There are not very many instruction books around so we teach each other. Franco's blog is a good place to start. And feel free to use the Weavo PM system too; you will find everyone here happy to help get you off and running in your new addiction..........er, new hobby, lol!
Off for my second cuppa!
Hello -
My name is Carolyn and I live in Illinois not too far from Chicago. I have become aware of backstrap weaving and really want to give it a try. I've done just a bit of weaving on my 8 harness Baby Wolf. I enjoy it all except for the darned warping. I'm hoping to learn more from all of you.
Hi Carolyn,
Well the good news is warping for the backstrap loom is EASY-straight off the lom stake and onto the loom bars-no cutting or threading-install some string heddles and you are set. We are running a beginner weave along to get familiar with the loom, opening the sheds, making string heddles etc and you are welcome to join in. We haven't started weaving yet and folks are getting all their sticks and bits to put a loom together.
I am going o send you a PM (message) with more info about the group forum.
Welcome!
Laverne
Hi - I'm Brian from England - if anyone is curious the weird user name is my ham-radio callsign so my other hobbies fit in with my technical work in computing.
Weaving was intended to be a relaxing, practical escape from a job where I actually produce nothing tangible. However I seem to get precious little spare time to weave and so tackle simple projects on the Inkle looms (I have 3, floor, table and mini). My 4/8 shaft Ashford loom has a sample warp on it but ...
I'm particularly interested in South and Central American Weaving and am in awe of the beauty of work produced with very simple backstrap looms. I do have a couple of good backstrap books and a home-made set of parts for a backstrap loom but have yet to use them. Hopefully I will find time to take part in the next beginners weave-along. I'm pretty familar with pick-up patterns on the Inkle so hopefully once i have the technique for the backstrap loom I will soon become inventive.
I have a blog which, sadly, is quite rarely updated but if anyone is interested there are pictures of some of my inkle pick up patterns, a tablet weaving project I've left unfinished and a few of my 4 shaft projects http://loomatic.blogspot.com
Hi Brian. Welcome! I checked out your blog-really nice bands!! I have that Lida Hendrickson book too and just love all her gorgeous lettering. I am trying to transfer her designs to double weave so I can do them on my backstrap but that is a project that keeps getting interrupted.
Backstrap weaving will be perfect for your campervan trips. You can even set it up outside, tie up to a tree and use sticks and bits lying about as your cross sticks and heddle stick!
There is till time to join this beginner weave along-we are still getting loom parts together. However, the instructions will alwyas be there so you can follow those any time you like-always more fun and motivating to start something with a group though.
Which backstrap books do you have?
Laverne
Thanks for the compliment - I'm still learning the Inkle loom but enjoy playing with pick-up patterns. Sadly the campervan rusted away underneath us but we still camp in tents and are hoping for a new campervan as soon as we can afford one. On a recent vacation a backstrap loom would have been ideal - I had loads of spare time but quite a few flights so even my mini-inkle would have been an inconvenience and candidate to get broken. Also Liz (my wife) and I do electronics and ham radio with Boy and Girl Scouts so it would be cool to use free time attached to a tree by a length of warp! It might even get inspire some of the youngsters to want to weave.
As for books - I love books and have way too many - Ebay is often a great place to indulge quite cheaply. I have the following that are relevant to backstrap weaving:
Backstrap Weaving - Taber/Anderson
Weaving on a backstrap loom - de Rodriguez/Ziek
The Art of Bolivian highland weaving - Cason/Cahlander
Double woven treasures from old Peru - Cahlander
Brian
My backstrap loom goes on flights with me everywhere. I declare the wood when I enter a country but have never had any problem with that.
I have those books that you listed above. The Taber/Anderson one is wonderful for getting started and I love both Cahlander's books. In fact, I am doing the balanced double weave in her Peru book at the moment. This technique is not woven here anymore but I want to learn it in order to repoduce some pre-Columbian fragments that I have. Someone told me that this technique is still practiced by one group in Mexico. A lot of people find Cahlander very ''dense''. I think I was lucky to have been able to go to Peru and learn with my first teacher shortly after picking up her book so that on my return, things made more sense. Once you work out her system, she is a lot easier to follow.
Again, I got the Rodriguez/Ziek book before actually going to Guatemala last year.
Those are all lovely books to sit and drool over and the best ''how-to'' ones around.
Laverne
Hi, I'm Jen :) I'm relatively new to backstrap weaving; I've woven my backstrap, a card-woven bookmark, and a random strap. My project for the back-to-school weavealong will be a scarf if it turns out.
I'm a homeschooling mama to a 6yo boy. Besides that, I'm a private English tutor in Mexico.
I like to make stuff and I hate to clean house. I spin, sew, knit, and crochet. I adore weaving and hope to be good at it someday :)
Nice to meet you all!
Hi Jen,
I teach English too. Where in Mexico are you? Do you have a photo for our page ''My little corner of the world''? Here's the link.
Laverne
I'm in Tijuana. It's super ugly here, but if you want me to post a picture, I suppose I could take one...
Yes yes we want a photo, super feo o no! I have never been to Tijuana-never been to Mexico for that matter.
It would seem I put my intro in the wrong place. sorry! I didn;t spot it.
Aquinnah
Hey Mandolinchick,
Fellow mandolin/strap weavers/players unite. Isn't this backstrap stuff fun! I'm looking forward to doing the double weave bit. Have you gotten started yet?
Aunt Janet
Hi everyone! I'm Sasha and I don't weave at all yet :) I've been knitting and crocheting for forever, and just recently learned to spin. I've always been fascinated by weaving, and many years ago I tried to teach myself to weave on a backstrap loom, but the combination of a) never having woven before and b) my instructions being for card weaving, but with no diagrams made it all but impossible to figure out.
I'm really looking forward to making a loom and experimenting with weaving. I have my first project all charted out, but silly grad school is taking up too much of my time to start right now. I'll probably try to get set up over Christmas break.
Thanks so much for this fabulous resource! I'm so glad I found this group :D
hi Sasha,and welcome! I first used a backstrap with card-weaving years ago, following the instructions in the Rachel Brown "Weaving Spinning and Dyeing Book". I hooked up to a curtain rail! I still hook up for card-weaving rather than try and use a loom.
Laverne has lots of information and tutorials here and is busy indexing it all so its easier to find, and she also has links to off-site photos and videos so you can see exactly what it is you are supposed to be doing, so there is plenty to read about. If you get confused or need to ask a question, just start a new thread and someone will be along to answer - once the threads get to more than 30 postings long it gets hard to locate new posts and your question can get lost or over-looked. This problem should be fixed next week when the forums get an overhaul.
In the meantime the most important information has been fixed to the top of the forums and there are a bunch of tutorials to take you from getting your loom together to weaving pretty bands with doubleweave.
Hi Everyone--
I'm a very new weaver, just learning the basics of backstrap weaving after putting together a loom this week. Laverene's article on Weavezine helped answer my questions, so thank you for such a great article!
I picked up knitting (on round looms) about three years ago and have gradually added some simple weaving (on square looms like the 4" Weave-it). About a month ago, I met a weaver and after spending an hour chatting about weaving, I found I had a real interest--but no $$ to buy a loom. So, I was encouraged to give backstrap weaving a chance. I'm so glad I did! It's fascinating. I'm really looking forward to learning from this group.
Kim
hi Kim and welcome,
I love your avatar. I think your cat is ging to enjoy your backstrap loom! Mine is just plain bored with it now. She lies on the bed while I weave. I tie up to the bed so she gets jiggled about as I beat in the weft.
Take a look around the forum and check out the tutorials. If you have any questions just start a new topic thread. Sounds like you will be up and weaving soon if you have already put a loom together. We all look forward to hearing about your progress.
Laverne
Thanks for the nice welcome, Laverne. I can see that this is "the" place for information about backstrap weaving.
My cat! I thought I had him trained to just sit and watch the yarn, but when I started with the loom this week... well, let's just say he lost it and pounced! Of course, he's so cute that I forgive him every time.
Kim
