My loom came with an 8 dent reed and a 13 dent reed.   I was wondering if I'll be likely to need any other reeds and if so what I should get.   It's not cheap so I don't want to get the wrong one or get any if not really needed.    I'm using a 4-shaft countermarche loom and probably will be working on yarn that's about dk or lighter (not up with the measurements for weaving yet, still working on knitting weights)

Comments

Wed, 05/28/2014 - 12:34

sequel (not verified)

You have a countermarche loom, so I'm going to guess that the reeds are metric, since very few American looms use 13 dent reeds.  I have a metric reed that looks like and 8 dent, but because it's metric, it doesn't really equal 8 dents per inch across the full width.  Not a problem if you keep that in mind.

If you have an 8, 10 and maybe a 12 dent reed, you can do anything.  Just don't try using fat yarn in a thin dent!

Wed, 05/28/2014 - 22:37

sewsable

The reed is actually imperial, I've measured and checked and it is definitely a 13-dent reed, as far as I can tell you can't get such a reed nowadays.   My local dealer is Ashfords and they don't do a 13 either.

I'm sort of going with the idea that the 13 is close enough to a 12 that I can just miss one on each when I'm sleying it.    I might order a 10 dent for my loom to round out my collection well though.    It'll be a while before I'm wanting to use the higher dent reeds, need to learn more first!

Thu, 05/29/2014 - 04:53

Guiding Myth (not verified)

Hi Sewsable,

Why not wait until you have more experience and know what size reed you will need?  You can do a lot with what you have now.  It is ok to skip dents or to put two threads in one dent and one in the next to get the sett you need.

Thu, 05/29/2014 - 18:06

sally orgren

Use what you have. This tip from Sharon Alderman: each time you plan a project, make a mark on a reed chart by the ideal reed you would use. When a particular reed size you don't own gets 3-5 marks, it might be time to consider purchasing that reed size. 

Reeds relate to the fiber size you tend to use most often. Most weavers start out chunkier, and some migrate to thinner as their skillls improve. 

Most printed drafts in America seem geared for 12 and 15 dent reeds. Sequel is right, adding a 10 and/or 8  would cover you for most applications during a lifetime of weaving.

But no rush.