I used cotton crochet thread as warp (on a 8 dent heddle) to make weft-faced placemats. Weft is Lion Brand Suede. I have been having a problem with tension and as I neared the end on the second mat (warped lenth for 4) the front ratchet kept popping loose. I cut the warp and am doing a runner with the remainder warp.
My questions are: Is this the wrong type of thread to use as warp? Does regular cotton warp thread "give" such as wool or other yarn?
Thank you!
Hi Theresa,
Crochet thread is fine for warp; it is just more expensive than most weaving threads. But if you are used to using wool or stretchy yarns for warp, it just means that you need to be more careful when warping. A non stretchy warp will not hide your warping inconsistencies by stretching as needed. So, just be a little more careful and it will be best not to make the warps too long. Warp for just one project, like a couple placemats, not four or six.
Joanne
Thank you, Joanne! I am a newbie at this and trying to figure it out as I go. I am also hoping to reduce my yarn stash! Anyway, I did get the effect I wanted for the mats. It was just getting frustrating and I have no one locally to learn from. Thanks for being out there and replying. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions!!!
Theresa
I had the same problem with my RH...so I just got a C clamp from the hardware store and clamp it down tight. It never slips now. Does leave a mark on the loom, but I consider my looms working tools, if they don't work then what is their purpose? However, mostly I use my tapestry loom for weft face weaving. I built it and it even has a tensioning feature similar to the Mirrix loom. If you would like to see it please take a look at my blog. If you want I would be glad to help you build one. Just contact me at Pandulaarts@yahoo.com. I of course would do this for free, just the fun of helping a fellow weaver.
I have used crochet cotton on an 8S table loom for overshot and using it for warp and weft. It worked great without any tension problems.
I think that the problem is the Kromski loom. I beleive that several people on Ravelry have reported the same problem you describe.
I have a 24" Kromski Harp and just recently had the front rachet come loose on a project, and I know that this has been talked about before so I wanted to analyze why it happened. I found two reasons. The first was because my tension wasn't tight enough and when my arm bumped the rachet it came loose. When I tightened the tension the problem stopped. But the second reason was my arm bumping the rachet. I just bought a floor loom and didn't have a bench, so I've been reading about what is the right height. I read that your elbows should be above the breast beam, and when I sat down to use my Harp on the stand, my elbows were well below the front beam, so as I was weaving my elbow kept hitting the rachet. So I found a higher seat.
I wonder if this may be a reason for others having problems, because when the Harp is on the stand it's pretty high and the seat has to be higher than a normal chair.
Just my thoughts,
Doreen
Hi Doreen,
I used to have the same problem with my 24" Harp and I followed the directions on measuring chair height and body position (ergonomics, found here) and raised my seat. Also, before I start beaming a new project, I tighten both the front and the back brakes. It hasn't been a problem since I began this preweaving practice.
Claudia
