Hello All!

Thank you so much for answering all my questions along the way. I'm watching Becky's video ad naseum, but still have many questions. I don't know why I'm so touchy about everything, I normally dive right in and get going on new things!

Anyway I'm using 10/2 cotton for my warp. Becky mentions with fine threads you can put 4 on one patter heddle rather than 4 seperate heddles. Would 10/2 cotton be fine enough to do this?  If so how many pattern heddles should I put on one weight?

Obviously this would mean I have 4 threads on the same shaft and thus 1/4 the number pattern repeats across the warp, whcih would probably be a good thing with this warp. But I'm open to your expertise!

Many Thanks,

Erica

Comments

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 15:44

Sara von Tresckow

Erica,

setting up a drawloom requires a lot more than watching one video. Becky's is good, but assumes you have other sources of information and have seen (or will see in a class ) a drawloom in action.

You plan a project with a particular number of threads in a "unit" 2, 3, 4, 5 or even 6. That "unit", however many threads, is hung by one lingo from the pattern shaft. You now have a choice of 3 techniques to bind those threads to that lingo.

1. One pattern heddle per thread. Expensive, but avoids threads catching on one another, makes for easy loom threading as you see each heddle in cross order as you thread the ground shafts

2. Maillons - little ladderlike devices that plug into the heddle eye and hold up to 5 threads - tedious to thread and only accommodate VERY fine warp threads

3. Multiple threads in a single pattern heddle. Cheaper, easy to thread the pattern heddle, but has the possibility of caught threads and does not give as clear an order to your warps in the cross as threading from single pattern heddles.

Keep going, but as you set up the loom, remember to learn to see the function of what you are setting up - you are rubbing your head and patting your stomach with drawloom weaving - that takes practice for all of us. On this loom each thread has basically two methods of control and you'll need to become an expert on how each method works.

And adjust things slowly and carefully. Once you've completed 2 or 3 warps to your liking DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING - those setting will work for what you do in the future - even move the loom, but don't keep fiddling with fine tuning.

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 16:13

Erica

Thanks Sara,

I have planned 4 thread units, 4 shaft false damask. I need to sample just satin before using it on the drawloom. As you say weaving on the drawloom is enough to learn on it's own.

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 16:27

Sara von Tresckow

You are definitely overthinking everything. You have a 4 shaft structure - doesn't matter what it is. You have 4 threads in a unit. Each unit will have its own lingo.

You now need to decide which of the 3 above methods you will use to connect these 4 threads, through one or more pattern heddles, to the lingo. If you can afford it, using one pattern shaft per thread has certain advantages. When I started, I decided that 6 threads was all I'd ever need in a unit - and as in the video that came with my draw attachment (the one that you have), Karin Myrehed is shown counting off groups of 6 pattern heddles and attaching them to a lingo. Now, you have "units" premade - and can choose any number of threads, not exceeding 6 and get one to a heddle. When changing warps, it is easy to store these groups of units, complete with lingos, in marked bundles and redeploy them for the next according to how many I need.

I realize that on this side of the pond drawloom weavers skimp on setting up the initial loom - often using substitute lingos or too few pattern heddles because of the cost. It really pays to put your loom together for years of service and put in the finest equipment you can afford.

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 16:59

Erica

Thanks for the advice Sara. I should have plenty if pattern heddles for my 8" warp and will keep your advice in mind when looking to make wider warps! Hmm sounds like guft certificates from my favorite advertisers are all the wish list I need!

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 17:07

Sara von Tresckow

Erica,

As you set up your loom, there might be a photo or two on my site to be of help - when we mounted my Myrehed draw attachment, we did a photoshoot of the steps involved - the info is here:

http://woolgatherers.com/id184.htm

We're offline for the rest of the day.

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 17:50

Erica

This page helped answer my other question! I still needed to mkve the jacks down another hole! :)

Wed, 01/08/2014 - 21:34

Joanne Hall

Hi Erica,

I did get this thread, but I was away and missed it. 

I usually follow what Karin tells me to do and she recommends threading individual pattern heddles.  It keeps them from twisitng, which can cause a problem with your sheds.

Joanne