Newbie frustration.  I doubled a lace weight wool knitting yarn in my current rigid heddle loom project using a 12 dent reed.  I'm using two pick up sticks, and the yarn is sticky (especially on the plain weave throw) and beginning to pill.  Is there a trick to help this go a bit smoother? 

 

Comments

Fri, 04/29/2011 - 01:32

Claudia Segal (not verified)

Sometimes people use a light coating a hair spray if the yarn has a lot of mohair in it.  There are various sizings used for linen but I have not seen anything used with wool.  You need to be very careful and not soak the yarn and I have read that it's best to only use it on the area in front of the heddle.

Hope that helps.

Claudia

Fri, 04/29/2011 - 02:52

debmcclintock

Try using another pickup stick to clear your tabby shed. Reconcile yourself to slow weaving for this project. Sometimes slow happens. Once it is off the loom and wet finished no one will know how long it took!
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 18:11

illoominated (not verified)

After the first few inches of weaving I could tell that it would be lovely, it would be warm, and it would take a long time to complete.  

Thanks, Jane

Sun, 05/01/2011 - 12:54

loomroomcat (not verified)

I wove a blanket one time that had mohair in the warp, about 1 foot in I could no longer open the shed as the mohair wisps would tangle on the warp threads next to them.  I found that Cowboy Magic Detangler which is used on horse manes works wonders.  It is silicone based.  I would put it on my hands like handlotion and then run my fingers along the warp threads and it was a miracle.  My shed was perfect and the product will wash out when you full it.  I keep a tube in my studio.

Sun, 05/01/2011 - 18:55

missbeckyohh43 (not verified)

Will a local MFA store carry it?  Or is this something that can be found on-line?

Wed, 05/04/2011 - 12:08

loomroomcat (not verified)

Anywhere that sells horse supplies.  In Michigan we have Tractor Supply Stores.  I am guess most saddelry's sell it.  You can probably find it online at Stateline Tack or any horse supply catalog.  It's the best.