Hi Everyone

My daughter is a first university student and we are looking at purchase her first loom.

I found a "Mira" 4 shaft 60 cm loom.  This loom will be for her studies.

Can someone explain the difference in what can do with a 2 shaft compare to 4 shaft?

I know nothing.

Many thank for the taking the time to read by post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

Fri, 10/31/2014 - 02:25

sarahnopp (not verified)

2 shaft looms basically allow even weave, the basic over-under weaving every child has done on cardboard.

4 shafts allow for a huge variety of patterning in the fabric, without having to manually lift each yarn. 

If you do an image search for "patterns from 4 shaft looms" you will see the variety. The more shafts, the more patterning options available more easily.

Fri, 10/31/2014 - 02:32

WeaverMother

Thank you.

Ok, 4 shaft is much better than 2 shaft.  Great explaination.

As daughter is currently plan to major in weaving.   I believe this be the first of many looms.  Is a 4 shaft a good place to start?

 

 

Fri, 10/31/2014 - 03:43

sarahnopp (not verified)

Yes, definitely!

But be aware that 4-shaft is often a gateway loom to other, more complex looms. And less complex looms. I have onlhy been weaving about 6 or 7 years and you don't want to know how many looms I have. 

Fri, 10/31/2014 - 04:19

WeaverMother

As she has been introduced to "proper weaving" at university on their very fancy looms, I'm sure this will be the first of many.

She is currently study a Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design).

So this could be my loom when she move on to other looms.

 

 

 

 

Fri, 10/31/2014 - 17:38

mneligh

Buy as much loom as you can afford.  Four shafts is a gateway to 8, 8 to 16, and so on.  She probably will want at least 36" width, and I'd go for 48", but for students, space and portability may be issues.

If she lives at home, consider a good solid used loom like a B-type Macomber, which have been the workhorses of many university programs and are nearly indestructable.  If she lives in student housing, go for something like a Baby Wolf or CP-type Macomber that folds.

While there are lots of bargains used big looms in good condition out there, the smaller portable floor looms move quickly, so you have to act fast.

Your daughter is very lucky to have parents that support her in this.  Good luck!

Fri, 10/31/2014 - 20:44

sandra.eberhar…

A Mira is a good first loom even for one who may be used to working on more sophisticated looms.  It's simple, easy to tie up, has excellent support from Leclerc, and offers a lot of patterning options.  You see a lot of posts from people trying to solve problems with jack looms, but I don't recall seeing a post from a Mira owner trying to solve a problem.  If she is used to using jack looms at school, the Mira will show her how a counterbalance loom works.  i think buying a more sophistocated loom without knowing how to tell if it is working properly, or understanding the features, might be risky; and it will be hard for you to evaluate the price.  I think she will at some point, decide what she would like to specialize in, and then will be ready to choose her next loom.  Four shafts are deffinately a must.

Fri, 10/31/2014 - 21:21

WeaverMother

She living at home, we just need to find a place for it to live. I think it's a good buy coming with manual & spares, 10 books plus inkle. Its the only second hand one of i have found reasonably locally. If she buys it will her first big purchase. We are going to look at it this afternoon. It right at the top end of her budget.
Fri, 10/31/2014 - 22:03

Heleanna

Hi,

For this loom be sur there is a 'régulateur de pas', to be able to counter balance 1 to 3 shafts. I think that was an option in the past. You will have the advantage of a c-balance with all the use of the 4 shafts.

Helene

Sat, 11/01/2014 - 08:10

WeaverMother

We are now the proud owners of two looms. The main one is a Mira 4, it come with full instruction in "Dutch" plus a typed English translation.
Sat, 11/01/2014 - 16:11

sandra.eberhar…

Are you sure the instructions aren't in French?  It was made in Quebec.  The shed regulator mentioned above is still available from Leclerc if you decide you want.

Sat, 11/01/2014 - 21:10

WeaverMother

I don't think it an Leclarc. The instructions have Amsterdam written on the bottom. It is the loom mentioned in this thread http://weavolution.com/forum/weaving/mira-4-shaft-table-loom-60cm23-weaving-width-19620
Sun, 11/02/2014 - 13:24

sandra.eberhar…

My comments, and others here, were based on thinking it was a 4 shaft counterbalance floor loom, Mira, made by Leclerc.  This is a very common loom, found across the US and Canada.  What you have is very different.  Usefull, but different.

Sat, 11/29/2014 - 22:35

CelticCats

I taught myself how to weave on a Julia countermarch loom.  I love this little loom.  It has a weaving width of 27", easy to warp and has a nice beat with the beater bar and the size is perfect for small spaces and is easy to move around.  Its able to do scarfs, towels and small rugs.  It is available in four or eight shafts.

Dorn