I recently purchased a countermarch loom, an Oxaback Lilla. I love it, but unfortunately I'm having trouble getting used to the treadles. I'm doing a simple 4 shaft twill, treadling 1-2-3-4 or 1-2-3-4-3-2-1 in various sequences. For the two treadles on the left I'm using my left foot, and vice versa. All the treadles are in the middle right next to each other, which I've heard somewhere gives the best balance for the lamms. I'm having trouble stepping on just one treadle at a time, when one foot goes from one treadle to the adjacent treadle (or indeed when I try to press a random treadle in the middle). I've seen some countermarch looms with treadle gates to put space between the treadles, but I would think that wouldn't be necessary if I could figure out a good technique. I've tried turning my foot sideways and pressing down with the long edge of my foot, but I'm guessing that might eventually be hard on my ankles. Any advice would be appreciated.

thanks,

matt

Comments

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 22:05

Sara von Tresckow

Actually, extending your foot as you have been doing is correct - it will not bother your feet or ankles. Since the treadles are mounted to separate easily, you need to gain some practice in learning where the right place is to open the space needed for a particular treadle. This can take a little time. I often feel out the correct treadle with the toes - they are surprisingly tactile.

If the treadles are widened out too much, the pivoting of the lams is negatively affected. 

And do NOT place more than the ball of your foot on any treadle. I've found that the weavers who have difficulty are usually switching from a jack loom where they needed to place the entire foot and then press with the whole leg. With the CM loom, you usually need only tip your foot to depress the treadle.

You can also place some sort of raised marker on one or two treadles to mark them then not looking directly. This aids in finding the correct treadle. Believe me, you soon learn where each treadle sits without looking - it is a matter of practice.

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 23:31

repweaver (not verified)

It helps to wrap rubber bands around a few key treadles in any pattern sequence. That way you can feel if you are in the right place without looking. And the bands are easy to move when you change treadling. I like to think of this method as a kind of weavers' Braille.

Repweaver

Wed, 10/12/2011 - 00:39

Dawn McCarthy

Good advice above - I wear only thin socks when I weave so I can feel the treadles, as you slip your toes to the next treadle you can feel the slight gap between and then situate the toes on the next treadle.  A little practice and you will find it comes quite naturally.

Countermarch looms are light to treadle and wonderful to weave on!  Keep practicing.

Dawn

Wed, 10/12/2011 - 19:38

Ellen (not verified)

I agree. I always weave in bare feet (summer) or a pair of socks (winter) and can always feel where the treadle next to the one I am on starts. In fact when I try to sit here and picture in my mind what exactly happens, I think I leave the foot resting slightly on the last treadle and then sort of twist or swing the heel end slightly till I catch the right position and then get the rest of the foot in place. Or is it the front I move first? I think any weaver will develop his/her own method that soon becomes second nature. But I also get a mental picture of my husband trying very very hard to find and depress the right treadle when I have sometimes asked him to go through them while I check for a perfect shed from the side (this is sometimes necessary on a wide warp)