sorry if this has been answered before. I have come from a rigid heddle to a 4 shaft table loom and am wondering if there are any things I should be aware of when threading just two heddles for a plain plaid weave. As a newbie I thought that this might be easier and less complicated than threading all 4 heddles, just 1 and 2 instead of 1 2 3 4, thanks

Comments

Lainey

You didn't say what type of loom you are using but generally here are my thoughts. Benefits of using all 4: Some looms work better when all 4 shafts are used. Treadling is easier (on jack looms) if you spread out the weight. (probably not noticable if piece is narrow) Some weaves (like rep where sett is very close) benefit by having more space.(threads don't stick to neighbor)  sometimes you need more heddles so spreading plain weave onto all 4 means you don't have to move heddles.  By threading on all 4 you have options to change up your treadling to do more than plain weave. (say you put on a long warp and want to try something different) There isn't anything "wrong" with only using 2, if you are able to lift and are getting good sheds.  threading a straight draw (1-4) gets easier with practice, so jump in!

aerobello

its a fairly simple table loom ,thanks for the info . Ill jump in,

ReedGuy

Just thread it straight draw (1,2,3,4 repeat). It will be just fine. I do this with 4 shafts on a floor loom also. Altough with a table loom, when threading just 2 shafts, it means only two levers are used instead of 4. The weaving goes along quicker.