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Mon, 06/08/2009 - 20:34

dnquimby (not verified)

I might be using this group a lot more in the future - I have a new-to-me 12 s Glimakra (currently in pieces). It's very exciting but a bit daunting as it has more shafts than I have ever used not to mention the countermarche. My other looms are jacks and counterbalance, 4 and 8s. Looking forward to seeing what others are doing. Dianne

Tue, 06/09/2009 - 00:42

Dustbunnies (not verified)

I am using a 12 Shaft Louet Spring, named Lily Louet and I'm in love with her.  After 20+ years of weaving and learning the foibles various Jack looms and one cranky Scandinavian countermarche, I've never had an easier loom to work with.   Admittedly the tie ups take longer, but the shed.....oh how I love those huge sheds!

Tue, 06/09/2009 - 15:44

Kaelyn95667 (not verified)

I've inherited an old Bexell Cranbrook.  I love it but am always looking for better ways to tie it up.  Right now it's set properly and I've been weaving rag rugs.  Now that I think of it, I've never woven fabric.  I use a Gilmore jack loom for that.  Anyway, looking forward to countermarche chitchat.

Wed, 06/10/2009 - 09:10

Glizzer (not verified)

Tie-Up and Lam Lamentations!

 

 Halp! I've recently bought a countermarche loom (8s/8t Glimakra Aktiv fold up floor loom)) and I have yet to master the (incredibly) complicated tie-ups and seemingly endless fine adjustments. I've only worked with a small jack loom before, and this is quite the adjustment (pun intended! :->) Anyone have words of advice for me that don't include either buying an item (bought the loom, so very broke), or asking an actual person to help me (as I live in a dearth of guilds). I thought of calling the kind people at Glimakra, but I didn't want to bother them while I asked endless questions or struggled to describe something visually that I'm not familliar with. Anyone have words of advice or just plain 123 steps of First: you do this, and Next, try this... Thanks in advance!

 

-Glizzer

Wed, 06/10/2009 - 13:28

LShinn

An old huge Glimakra is sitting in my living room right now. I can't wait to get it up and going. Glad this group is here.

Fri, 06/12/2009 - 02:02

Susan Harvey (not verified)

Hi Glizzer,

You might want to google Joanne Hall's name. She is a Glimakra dealer and has a studio called Elkhorn (?) She has written a guide book to all things countermarche. I have a copy and it's great. I think it would be a great help for you.

If you have difficulty finding her, I'll see if I can dig out the book and give you details.

 

Cheerio, Susan

Fri, 06/12/2009 - 11:40

Alaire Rieffel (not verified)

 

I finally had success with my Glimakra after I bought the tie up kit from Vavstuga.  Wish I'd started with it! "  Uses beads to secure cords on top of the lamms, texsolv cord to run down through the lamms and treadles, and straight knitting needles to attach all of the cords under the treadle.  The texsolv cords are marked with three holes each, and the knitting needle is inserted in the appropriate hole (tighter towards the back of the loom, looser towards the front.)  That ensures that all the tie ups are consistent--no tedious adjusting.  Check out their web site for prices, and if it's still too steep you can make your own.

I want to give equal time to Joanne Hall, the other US Glimakra site.  I've purchased several add-ons from them, and the service has been sensational.  

Seems like I've seen another tie-up kit out there besides Vavstuga's--do some googling and see what you find.

 

Fri, 06/12/2009 - 15:18

granny 4 (not verified)

 Hi, I've had a Glimakra for about 16 years and love it!  The people at www.glimakraUSA.com have written a wonderful book about setting up and weaving on a countermarche.  They are also very helpful with questions.  

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 01:27

thimbelina (not verified)

Glizzer,

As previously mentioned Joanne Hall's (Glimakra USA) book  Tying Up Your Countermarch Loom  is a must- and Joanne is always more than willing to help a weaver in need!

Often I will sit inside my loom and press each treadle, looking into the sheds to  inspect sheds.  I will then pull on the problematic tie up cord either lowering or raising it.  This way I can 'see' how to replace the pin.  After I finish one treadle I just move on to the next.  This is very quick, and for me the easiest way.

Four shaft, four or six treadle balanced weave structures (twill, plain weave, etc.,) are always wonderful ways to begin learning on your countermarch.  In time you can progress (without so much frustration) onto more difficult weaves.

Have fun.  You will love your loom!

Chris

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 04:08

Susan Harvey (not verified)

Just an intro to group members.... I have two countermarche looms. One is a Louet Spring (12S/ 36" ) and its a cutie. For tie ups, we just lift her up onto boxes and I sit on a stool to do the cords.  It's not a heavy duty loom and I would not recommend it for rugs.  The moving breast beam is a lovely feature and so the tension is always perfect. Just where you set it the first time, every time!

The second loom is a Woolhouse Tools Gertude countermarche ( 12S/16T, second warp beam, sectional, with 20+ tie up assist)  It's 45 inch weaveable. It's my all purpose loom and  I love it!  It came with regular tie cords but one hip replacement later, I got the 20+ and not sit at the back on the loom on a stool and pull the tie up in minutes.

I'm looking forward to our discussions.... don't be shy!  Introduce yourself....

 

Susan

Sun, 06/14/2009 - 04:13

Weavil Works (not verified)

 Glizzer - Life with a countermarche is not hopeless!  First, what kind of tie-up cords do you have (white Texsolv chain loops, strong linen, chains, what?).  I'm sure there are several of us here who can walk you through it.  Do I remember correctly that the Activ has the metal warp and breast beams but is otherwise the same as the Standard.  Oh yes, do you have the vertical or the horizontal countermarche system (horizontal has 2 levers on the top; the vertical makes an X in the center with only one set).

 

Sun, 06/14/2009 - 23:56

Sara von Tresckow

Your Glimakra Aktiv is a nice loom - BUT it doesn't conform to the usual definition of Swedish countermarche loom. First, all the videos, books and kits out there are for the "standard" looms. They won't help you directly with the first setup.

Your model was built for a few yeard in the 1980's and has 2 sets of lams (short and long) positioned at one level rather than the usual two. They function the same way as other countermarche looms, but are hooked up a little differently. I have one (just finisheda project today) and enjoy it a lot - contact me privately at:

[email protected]

and we can discuss your particular loom.

Sun, 06/14/2009 - 23:57

Glizzer (not verified)

Thanks Susan, and everyone who replied. I have managed to figure out the tie-ups and the problem I was having. (I thnk) I am very interested in the Vavstuga kit, although it does look easy to make. Thanks for the ideas and help everyone!

Mon, 06/15/2009 - 10:50

Donna Mac (not verified)

Hi Sue,

I also have a Louet Spring Loom.  I enjoy weaving on this very much.  Can you walk me through how to warp on with tension and advance the loom without getting up and doing it manually.  My weaving always turns out well, but there must be something I don't do when warping on.  For example, I've never known how tight to wind the screw that tightens the metal cord around the handle that moves the back beam.  Thanks for any help.

Donna

 

Mon, 06/15/2009 - 14:06

EileenR (not verified)

Hi Susan and other group members.

My name is Eileen Rickard and I live in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, I have recently purchased a Woolhouse Tools Gertrude loom, 45" weaving width.  She is new to me although I am her third owner, Gertie came to me via BC then New Brunswick.  I am a member of the Lake Ainslie Weavers and Craft Guild and am familiar with jack and counter balance looms.  Gertie is my first   encounter with a countermarch, I have a warp on and will try the tie up soon.  I went for something really easy, so I don't have to worry about the weaving, just the loom.  I have on a woolen throw and will weave a mixture of plain and twill using a skeleton tie-up that I got of the internet  for eight treadles (the loom came with 10).  i hope this is the start of a "Great Big Adventure".

Best wishes, Eileen.

Tue, 06/16/2009 - 12:42

joesullins

Toika Countermarche

Hi!  I have a 50+ year old 40" 8-shaft/8-treadle Toika countermarche loom.  It was an amazing deal from one of the Yahoo! groups that I came across two years ago.  It was an amazing deal not only because of the price, but also that it was complete and all the pieces/parts were in excellent condition.  It took a little time to figure out the tie-ups for it since it is somewhat different than a Glimakra, but the reward has been amazing cloth that I couldn't have gotten from the smaller, jack looms that I have.  In fact, each time I sit down to weave on this loom, I'm more and more less enthused about using any of the other looms at all.  Everything is just so effortless and so many of the weaving "problems" that I thought I was having were solved immediately by the countermarch mechanism.

 

Thu, 06/18/2009 - 03:46

Glizzer (not verified)

Thanks Sara, I have emailed you and you've already helped me so much!

Thu, 06/18/2009 - 03:47

Glizzer (not verified)

I have the horizontal set up, there are two sets of jacks at the top.

Thu, 06/25/2009 - 17:19

Karen (not verified)

Hi, I have 2 Toika Liisa's.  One is 60" and the other 45" wide.  I really enjoy weaving on them, though I still have problems getting a nice shed on 8 shafts, especially when I have fewer threads on some shafts in relation to the other shafts.

I am getting ready to tie-up a 7 harness huck lace pattern.  So, every other thread is on shaft 1.  I was wondering about the optimum tie-up for ease of treadling and/or getting the best shed.  Should most of the shafts be tied to the upper lamms or the lower lamms?

Thanks,

Karen

Fri, 06/26/2009 - 02:19

joesullins

Karen -

I got a wonderful set of notes from Toika that has really proven helpful in tying it up.  I tried to cut and paste, but I guess it is too long.  If you want to PM me I'll email it to you. 

 

Joe

Fri, 06/26/2009 - 21:50

Karen (not verified)

Hi, I don't see an option for emailing you privately.  I assume that is what PM means.  Maybe you could tell me your source for the notes.  Or, you could walk me through the steps.

Thanks for your response.

Karen

Wed, 07/08/2009 - 19:38

EileenR (not verified)

I am just completing my first project on my new loom, a Woolhouse tools Gertrude (45 inch weavable). When I bought the loom the tie -up cords were all pre- cut in two lengths, the short ones are all one length and so are the long ones. I have read people say that they vary the lengths of individual cords depending on the shafts they are attached to. My loom is working OK but some of the treadles when I depress them go down further than others, I have to adjust the pressure of my foot to make sure the shed is evenly open. i wonder if that is where having the different lengths of tie-up cord would come in? I have a couple more questions and observations but need more than 1000 characters so will post them later.
Sun, 07/12/2009 - 05:06

Dustbunnies (not verified)

Hi Donna,

I too have a Louet Spring - and have posted a photographic warping tutorial on my blog that may be of help www.dustbunniesundermyloom.blogspot.com. 

I've found that the more I use the Spring the better the tension works.  I loosen the tension nut so the thread is about 1/2 way down inside when I pull the warp on.  When the warp is in place, I retighten the screw to the point where the brake release is in a horizontal position.  Then forward the warp until the breast beam is vertical.  I have an extra copy of the Louet DVD on warping the Spring that I'll gladly send to you at no cost - just paying it forward.... Just leave a message with your email  if you'd like me to send it. 

Cheers

Lynnette

 

Thu, 02/04/2010 - 20:07

BrookfarmWeave… (not verified)

Hi,

I've just acquired an older Bexell Cranbrook loom. We are told it is 50 years old. It has no maker's mark at all on it. We are trying to get some history on th loom and perhaps some photos to help with the tie up for the loom.

The loom is Counter Balance (not Counter Marche)

Perhaps, is this the same loom you have?

Thanks in advance,

Debbie Emery

[email protected]