Is there a "right" or "wrong" when it comes to leaving cross-sticks in the warp once the loom is dressed and weaving has begun?  Should the cross-sticks be left in throughout the weaving or removed once the loom is fully dressed and tensioned?

Comments

Tue, 03/08/2011 - 00:29

Dawn McCarthy

My question is, why would you take them out?  This topic has been bashed around on a few weave web sites.  I personally always (with the exception of a tiny table loom where sticks minimize the shed capacity) use and leave in my lease sticks.  Why?  Easier beaming, better tension when advancing the warp, keeps everything in order, prevents tangles, easy location and repair of broken threads, easy to tie on a new warp to old if needed.  I encourage my students to do the same.  I use lease sticks even if I beam front to back (very rarely warp that way) for easier control of threads and then transfer the cross.  If I use a yarn that cuffs I switch to rod or dowel lease sticks.  I am sure you will hear varying opinions, I was taught to use them in college and have always used them ever since.  

Dawn

bloominloom-dawnmccarthy.blogspot.com

 

Tue, 03/08/2011 - 01:05

tien (not verified)

I used to leave in my lease sticks, because I had been told to leave them in and was afraid to try removing them.  Then Laura Fry told me that she didn't use them, and encouraged me to remove them on one warp.  I took them out and found that I really didn't need them after all!  I could locate broken threads just fine without them (even when using very fine threads), didn't need them to untangle the warp threads (if you beam on correctly you shouldn't have tangles anyway), etc.  If I wanted to remove a warp, I could use a treadling/tie-up that would give me something close to plain weave - not perfect, but good enough for a cross.

Leaving the lease sticks in just meant that I had to get up every couple of inches, walk around to the back of the loom, and re-set the lease sticks.  (I know some people just tie the lease sticks to the back of the loom, but that didn't work for me - I work with very fine threads and had too much breakage.)  It also shortened the distance from front to back on my (small) floor loom, which reduced my shed.

I would encourage you to try leaving them out on a warp or two to see whether it makes a difference for you.  Everyone weaves different things, on different equipment - what works for me may not work for you, and vice versa.

The one thing I do want to assure you of is, if you leave them out, your loom will not explode and you will not have a total disaster on your hands.  I know that sounds silly, but I was afraid that would happen the first time I tried it, and was greatly relieved to discover that it didn't.

Tien

Tue, 03/08/2011 - 02:24

naturalfibres (not verified)

to me the purpose of the lease sticks is to keep the cross when winding the warp on the loom, so once the warp is on and I'm ready to start weaving the lease sticks are no longer needed.

Tue, 03/08/2011 - 12:27

Dawn McCarthy

My looms are large so leaving them in does in no way hinder weaving, I tie the lease sticks to the back beam so there is no creeping forward.  I also will sit inside the loom and  tie on a new colorway at the lease sticks (I have a large AVL & Glimåkra so sitting inside is easy).  Everyone has their own preferences which is fine but I like to teach my students what is traditionally considered the correct method by leaving the sticks in - if they find with more experience it is unecessary (I agree Tien - the loom will not explode!) they can choose to take them out.  Another reason is if I decide to alter a color on the warp (small stripes) it is easy to insert these threads at the lease sticks on a current warp.

This topic has been hashed out on other weave sites and generates a lot of buzz!  I say - do what works "well" for you - there are no lease stick police to come slap you on the wrist if you don't leave them in.

 

Sat, 03/19/2011 - 12:24

Mike (not verified)

Thank you all for your very helpful replies.  It sounds rather like different warping techniques:  use whatever suits you!!