I started weaving using a potholder loom--very pre-twenty something. I got bored making potholders and switched to using yarns and crocheting the squares together. I made quite a few hefty (heavy) doll blankets.
Rather than a potholder loom, you may want to encourage making a simple loom using canvas stretchers or an old picture frame as you can easily change the sett of the warp ends. Also, there are small Weave-It looms available for purchase.
Roz Housknecht and I (Janet Stollnitz) vending as Dyed Dreams will be in our usual location, Barn 3, Booth 3, with a great selection of hand-dyed yarns as well as handwoven, felted, and hand-dyed accessories. Stop by to say, "Hello." It's always nice to meet Weavo folks.
Dyed Dreams (hand-dyed yarns; handwoven, knitted, and felted accessories) will be in their usual location--Barn 3, Booth 3. Roz Houseknecht and I (Janet Stollnitz) have been dyeing lots of yarnas well as weaving, knitting, and felting. Stop by to say hello.
There are ways to warp a loom without using a raddle. However, my preference is for back-to-front warping using a raddle. In my first weaving class, we were encouraged to make a raddle rather than purchase one as it is the simplest piece of weaving eqiupment to construct. All you need is a piece of wood the length of your back beam and about an inch to two inches wide plus some finishing nails. Measure off the increments desired and pound in the nails. I have seen raddles made using a yardstick, paint stirrer and more. Attach the raddle to your loom using "C" clamps, masking tape, or whatever will hold the raddle securely.
I use rubber bands over the nails to keep the yarns in place as I wind on the warp.
The treadling on the 24/24 is very easy even when lifting all the shafts--something you won't do when weaving. As others have mentioned, the heddle bars are lightweight and the heddles are Texsolv. Since there are only two treadles and they are directly in front of you with no stretching to the side, you have the maximum leverage making for easy, consistent treadling. I suggest getting 24 shafts.