I have a Toika Norjaana with a one meter weaving width. Its not large, like a Glimakra Standard, so I can't climb inside it. Is there a way to thread this thing without pain?  My Glimakra Ideal had the same problem, but this is worse.

Part of the problem could be that I didn't get the Toika bench, but I can't see from photos that it would help. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Comments

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 04:41

MaryMartha

I have the same loom and the same problem, despite the toika bench. No perfect solution, but here are some strategies:  1) move the shaft assembly to the back of the loom, sit outside the loom facing the back beam and thread backwards (pulling the threads through the heddles away from you), then move the assembly back to the correct position, then sley the reed, or  2) remove the breast beam and the knee beam, set a bench or high chair inside the loom, and sit with your legs draped over the cloth beam to thread the heddles.  Suspend the reed from cords in front of the shafts to sley the reed.

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 05:06

Sara von Tresckow

Removing breast and knee beam to thread is standard procedure. Often a small stool or chair will fit close enough to the cloth beam to allow easy threading without loom modification. You don't need a paricular bench model here.

Hanging the reed from cords while sleying is also standard procedure, that is, not just for the small footprint countermarche looms.

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 12:34

Dawn McCarthy

I agree with Sara, on my Toika I remove breast & knee beam and sit on the front cloth beam (i am fairly petite so I don't think I am risking damaging my loom).  This is a comfortable spot to thread.

Dawn

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 12:47

MaryMartha

Sara, the norjanna has a peculiar configuration which makes setting a bench or stool inside it to thread unusually awkward.  The distance between the breast beam and cloth beam is 9 inches, where on my varpa it is 12.  Also the cloth beam is several inches higher (about 22 in compared to 18.5).  Threading from the front, I end up either with my knees pressed awkwardly against the cloth beam or perched awkwardly over.

By the way, I have talked to experienced weavers who are nevertheless  not familiar with "standard procedure".  Sometimes the standards bear repeating.

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 14:56

Su Butler

I have threaded a Norjanna, and being tall, found it awkward as well. I use an exercise ball as a chair when I thread any loom.....it allows me to move and shift as necessary while threading, and since it is lower than other seats (and you can adjust the air in the ball so you sit right where you wish), I have found it a comfortable means of threading very small looms. I would remove any beams that come off to lessen obstacles. I would pad the cloth beam with foam or towels to keep them from being too uncomfortable. Su :-)
Mon, 11/21/2011 - 15:42

Sara von Tresckow

Have you ever tried using the shaftholders to adjust shaft height and just sleyed the heddles standing? It can be quite comfortable.

My reference to standard perocedure was simply that most looms of this type are threaded from the front using a chair, bench, ball or whatever fits. You do not need a specific brand or model. You probably do not need special methods - just a good analysis of what you have and how it best does the job for you.

Fri, 11/25/2011 - 20:42

bev_ryn (not verified)

Thanks for all the suggestions, and for letting me know others have the problem. I have been taking off the breast beam and knee beam, but I'm on the tall side and still too far away for my back to be comfortable. I thought about draping my legs over the cloth beam, but couldn't figure out how I would extricate myself. :-)

I think raising the entire harness assembly with shaft holders and standing, and finding a 4 legged bench that straddles the bottom beam and the treadles (if I want to sit) is the answer. Thanks Sara.

Part of the reason I haven't done this is that I don't have shaft holders. I tried to get them from the Toika dealer in the US and they weren't able to provide them. Sara, does you shop cary shaft holders that fit Toika shafts? They are wider than Glimrakra.

Thanks, Bev

Fri, 11/25/2011 - 22:14

Sara von Tresckow

My husband jmakes custom shaftholders - we need the dimensions of the shaft stick.