As I was threading my heddles, I noticed I didn't include four threads about one-fourth of the way. I have added the warps, put them in their proper spot and weighted them so as to get tension on them while I weave. Not sure this is the correct way to add tension to the warps. Couldn't find any hints via a web search. Any help greatly appreciated. Really don't want to unbeam just to add the four threads which need to be there otherwise the towel is not symmetrical and will be noticed that they are missing. Thanks, Dorn

Comments

Sun, 12/07/2014 - 03:33

CelticCats

Okay, not sure where my thinking was last night, but found another spot I counted wrong.  Unfortunately, I think I will get hubby to help me unbeam and rebeam so the threads will be on the beam itself.

If anyone does have a good suggestion for the future, I would love to know it.

Thanks,

Dorn

Sun, 12/07/2014 - 13:33

Artistry

Hi Dorn, Sorry you're having threading woes, happens to all of us! I suggest checking all the rest of your threading so you know if there are any more spots. In the future, I try to find a rhythm with the threading such as, 1234 , 1234, tie that group together, or 1234,321 tie that group together. There is usually a way you can break a pattern down into smaller parts and that helps keep easier track of the threading. Less mistakes:) I always double check the minute I do a group. Also, before I thread the heddles I pull out only those heddles that I need. For instance, for 1234321, 2 heddles for shafts 1,2,3, and 1 for 4, then I put them in a slight point and return, thread them up in order and tie. I thread all the heddles before threading the reed. I find working in small increments I'm less likely to make mistakes. However, remember concentration at this point is going to save you lots of time in the future, so slowly and deliberately . Also a really good lighting system helps tremendously. Some people use adjustable light tubes around their neck, one woman I know wears a caving light so her hands are free, I have tremendous overhead lighting . Good luck, Cathie
Sun, 12/07/2014 - 18:21

CelticCats

Cathie, thank you for your suggestions and taking the time to help this relatively new weaver.  Helpful tips and suggestions are always great.  Fortunately, the warp was only 3 yards long and DH was very helpful in getting the missing warp on the beam and I didn't have to unthread the heddles thankfully.

This was the first time I have ever left out threads.  Not sure what happened, but it is a great learning opportunity.  In the future, I am going to make sure that I count the # of threads after each color change

Again, thanks for your help!!

Dorn

Mon, 12/08/2014 - 09:42

Andrew Kieran (not verified)

Dorn

 

This is a common problem amongst my students. When I find just one thread missing, I will run a single cone from the floor, wrap the yarn twice around the warp beam (maybe more if it's a narrow beam) and then take it through the cross, heddles and reed as the rest of the warp. The turning on the beam holds the warp end under tension and allows it to maintain the same tension as the rest of the warp.

When there are multiple threads in the same place, I will make an extra little warp of those threads on the warping boards, and wrap them onto a wee bobbin or cone or something (as if it were a warp beam, almost) and then hang that from the back of the loom with the warps passing around the beam twice or three times as in the above example.

 

Both of these methods I use frequently to repair student warps and have even used it on a high speed rapier loom running at 190ppm. If the rapier loom can handle it, I reckon it's a sturdy fix, as that machine is not tolerant of sloppy work.

 

Of course, these techniques work best on a single coloured warp, sometimes if you miss threading on a multi coloured warp it's a more difficult problem, especially if the warp stripes are meant to line up some way with the weave structure.