I am doing my first "real" weaving project on my brand new Mighty Wolf. I have taken several weaving courses and done lots of practice weaving and samples. My first mistake was when I mashed up in my mind two different projects. I have 8/2 cotton I bought at The Mannings in various shades of green, and a really big cone of white. Instead of starting with a reasonable warp, I got into my head that I was winding on 9 1/2 yards of warp. I have a warping mill but I obviously had to do the warp in sections because 18'' at 24 epi was not going to fit on a home sized warping device. The cotton tangled terribly (it was in center-pull hanks, not cones) and was prone to nasty slip knots. It took forever to wind out. I got it attached to the loom and all its stripes evenly distributed and then for some reason I removed the choke ties and the raddle and tried to beam it on (BTF). Now the fun is beginning. I quickly realized I needed the raddle back on and it is (dropped about 17 times in the process) and the warp is somewhat untangled and weighted. I am using venetian blind slats between layers on the warp beam and hope the weights are sufficient to get an even warp. I've wound on about half of it but looking at the tangled mess left wonder how I'm going to get a smooth path to the cross (still there and tied!).  Any hints on getting theis warp untangled? I know you're not supposed to comb, but really if I don't there's going to be mixing of greens.

 

Carol

Comments

Thu, 03/21/2013 - 06:41

laurafry

About all you can do is carefully 'comb' the warp and do your best to detangle it as you go.  Attaching weights so that the warp goes on under some tension will help.  I confess that I do actually use a (widely spaced) brush in dire emergencies.  Treat it like hair - IOW, begin as far away from the loom as you can get and work your way towards the loom.

Others may have other suggestions....

cheers,

Laura

Thu, 03/21/2013 - 19:29

Dena (not verified)

I find that generally, when warps become messed up, it's the fear that is the biggest issue. Take a deep breath and know that you will get that warp on the loom and it's just going to go slowly. The secret truth about weaving is that there is a whole body of knowledge that a teacher can share with you, but there is also a whole toolbox of techniques that you will figure out yourself as you go. After twenty seven years of weaving and thousands of warps, I still run into spectacular messes that require new and creative ways of thinking. Whatever mistakes you make, you can comfort yourself by knowing that you probably won't make those again!

Thu, 03/21/2013 - 20:45

debmcclintock

Is your cross on your lease sticks or on the other end of your warp chain opposite the warp beam?
Thu, 03/21/2013 - 21:04

sarahnopp (not verified)

Somebody once said, "You never learn anything by doing it right." Weaving has taught me the truth of this oh so many times LOL 

One of times I did something similar, I actually unwound the whole thing and stretched across and around my house to get it somewhatflat and even. I locked the dogs away, then recruited/pressed the other two humans in the house to help me get it onto the beam. Good luck, and reward yourself when you get it back on in order.

Fri, 03/22/2013 - 05:30

Swanknitter (not verified)

The cross is still tied on the end of the warp that's on the floor. I've managed to get some of the sections mostly untangled, but a couple look awful. And the farthest distance from my loom is all of 3 feet. I got a Wolf because of lack of space and it fits right in when it gets dressed. I will try calm and patience (neither a strong suit with me!).

Carol

Fri, 03/22/2013 - 12:07

Dena (not verified)

I do a fair amount of demonstrations and the comment I hear most often is, "you must be a really patient person to do this". (My personal self evaluation is: Patience is a virtue, it's just not one of mine!) My response to those people is, "I am anything but patient. It's the obsession that keeps me going!"

Fri, 03/22/2013 - 12:08

sally orgren

Maybe if someone lives nearby, they can give you a detangling hand...

Sun, 03/24/2013 - 00:01

mrdubyah (not verified)

Well, it won't be easy, but it's not impossible.  Here are a couple of things to try: First, move the loom to gain the maximum space.  If necessary, wait for a sunny day and take the whole thing outside to gain distance.  Then, stand back as far from the loom as possible and pull hard on the warp.  Sometimes snapping a warp sharply a few times will perform untangling miracles.  If possible, get one of your human assistants to snap it for you while you wind on.  Failing that, drop by your local tack shop and pick up a tube of cowboy magic detangler. [It's used to untangle horse's tails and manes.] Rub a dab on your hands and then slide your fingers through the warp.  It'll make your warp threads slick as snot (don't worry, it washes out). I use it for fuzzy warp threads that bind and keep the shed from opening, but it just might work to help you get wound on as well.  Otherwise, just keep winding slowly and believe in yourself.  You can do it!