Learned this time-saver at a workshop a few weeks ago:

When securing the warp on warp board, use pot holder loopers to "tie" the warp in places needed.  Wrap the looper around the threads then "tie" by slipping the looper inside itself and pulling tight.  Warp is held tin place.

This method replaces the tying of string or thrums around the warp.  To take off, you simply pull at the looper.  No more having to find the right end of the string/thrum to undo ... or the nightmare of the string/thrum tightening into a knot and then having to cut it off.

I also use the loopers - rather than string/thrum - to count off my warp as I am warping. 

This has become one of my favorite hints thus far.

I can't take credit for it ... nor can the instructor as he generously informed us one of the ladies in the Arrow Rock Guild, Missouri, came up with it.

Hope you find this useful.

God bless.

MerryMac

Comments

Deanna (not verified)

I had heard of this from a local weaver.  Does it hold the yarns well, I usually use a very tight surgeons knot so that the threads do not slip.  This might be an easier way and a faster way.

feltedbag (not verified)

I recently learned about using loopers to tie my warps and it works very well -- my threads don't slip.  And it's easy on the hands.

merrymac (not verified)

Since learning about using the loopers to tie my warp threads on the warp board, I have found myself reaching for loopers for other needs on the loom.  When misthreading, I have used the loopers to "tie" adjacent threads together on each side of the misthreaded threads - to keep them out of my way when fixing the problem.  I've used the loopers to tie my "sets" together when threading the loom.  This way, if I lose track of my threading for whatever reason, it is easy for me to see where I left off?  (For example, if there are 12 threads to a pattern, I "tie" the 12 threads together with a looper as I'm going along.  Easy to put on, easy to pull off?)

Off hand, I can't remember any other specifics that I've used them for ... but just about any time you need to tie a knot - or use thread to track something, a looper can be utilized.  No having to untie the knot later on?

Hope this answers your question.  I'm sorry but I am not familiar with a "surgeons knot"?  Where I do have to have a knot, I typically do a weaver's knot or a square knot?

 

snaseman (not verified)

What is a pot holder looper and where do I find these?

feltedbag (not verified)

You can usually find them in the kid's toy section at places like Target.  Here's some on Amazon.

Potholder Loopers