Still a total beginner, I am scheduled in a weaving basics workshop in April. Very excited. Until then, I would like to try a simple project on my 4 harness, 4 treadle countermarch loom. Any ideas where I might find something easy? Any suggestions for where to purchase thread / yarn? Also, because extra treadles for this old Cranbrook countermarch are not available, does anyone know who might fabricate 2 more for me? (Schacht, the company that absorbed Cranbrook does not have parts that fit my loom). Thanks to all of you who have been responding and making suggestions. 

Comments

Fri, 01/09/2015 - 01:40

sarahnopp (not verified)

For extra treadles, you might take a look through the DIY and Home Built groups here. Many weavers quickly take on the role of making adjustments and additons to their own looms. I would do a couple projects on it first to see how it functions as is, work out the big questions, and then make changes to it.

As far as easy projects, just getting the loom warped up and weaving is going to be a big accomplishment! I would stick with a twill threading and not get too caught up in how the weaving actually looks. Learning all the mechanical issues of weaving is a huge learning curve, and you will never stop learning.

Fri, 01/09/2015 - 01:46

Lenore

Thanks for the feedback...I'll look for DIY & Home Built and "just weave"

Fri, 01/09/2015 - 04:35

sandra.eberhar…

If you're not confident about planning a first project, the major on-line suppliers (Halcyon, Webs, Glimakra, etc.) offer kits with the yarn, draft and instructions. 

Wed, 01/21/2015 - 21:02

Lenore

Hi again weavers. Learning bit by bit but I am a still a little confused about how to calculate the "sett" for a weaving project. Can anyone clarify that in simple terms for me? Thank you!

Wed, 01/21/2015 - 23:29

sandra.eberhar…

There are several ways to figure what sett will work.  You can get ends per inch by wrapping the warp around a ruler.  Divide epi by 2 for a plain weave fabric and multiply by .6 for a twill.  You can find charts of common yarn sizes and sett ranges on line; many on line weaving supply stores give sett suggestions with their yarn descriptions.  You can also experiment; put on some extra warp and sample.  The last way is the only way to find out exactly how your warp and weft will behave together when finished.