Thoughts on even beating

Sometimes it's hard to maintain an even beating. Especially when you weave a bit now and then in the afternoon and then the next day..... Some designs are forgiving but others (like circles) are demanding.This is what I've noticed so far and might be helpful to you too: - Teachers are always right. No matter how boring it is you have to count every once in a while. Measurement tape at the neck and a tapestry neddle (or any other pointing tool that suits you) nearby and measure every 3 inches if you know you have a problem, every 5 inches just to check. As the project moves on and you get the upper hand you'll find that every 10 inches is Ok. - Your beating force is diffirent from time to time. With the same efford you beat harder let's say at the morning than in the evening (when fatigue of the day is more). Measure frequently when you catch up with your project to establish the forse required. - Pay attencion to your design. If you're weaving a straight twill the angle of the design will tell you if something is wrong way before you reach the measuring point (thus less unweaving or cutting). If you have circles or squares beating problems are obvious sometimes even if you are half way. - Try to maintain the warp tension as before when you forward your warp. Yarns behave diffirently when they are a bit more/less tensioned each time. What works for me is to check the "clicks" or count the dents of the rachet once the yarns are streched. At the beginning of forwarding, the warp goes on quickly without much efford and the rachet makes a continuous noice. The moment it becomes harder and the rachet makes distinctive clicks you count until you reach your prefered tension and you make sure that you "click" always the same. - Sometimes and for some people it's easier to control the force they put on their back than in their hands. Watch in You Tube the video "Julia loom from Glimakra" to see how Becky Ashenden bends her back instead of the elbow. At first I thought it was meant to prevent arm pain from repetitive movements and back pain from staying still. That was until I had major beating problems on a circle design. After 1 whole day of weaving and unweaving the same circle that was my resque. For some reason I had better understanding of the fabric's resistance and could adjust myself spontaneously. It may work for you too. I have to emphasize that I'm not an experienced weaver and for sure not a teacher. The only reason I'm posting this is to share my experiences and hopefully be of some help. I'd love to read any other suggestions or tricks. They never end and they make are weaving lifes easier.