Weaving Tools Checklist

The project chosen will dictate what Reed is to be used as it will maintain the separation of the warp threads to what the pattern calls for ie the Sett or "ends per inch". A single Reed can sometimes be used for multiple Setts by using an uneven pattern when threading and/or putting multiple threads through the dents (ie the gaps in the reed). When using a thicker warp in a project with a lower sett, a Reed with fewer dents should be used to avoid abrading the warp threads.

Typically a weaver will have a small collection of reeds to allow them some flexibility or will have built up a collection over time. A typical combination is for a weaver to have an 8, 10 and 12 dent reed but this really can vary depending on the weaver's area of interest.

The project will also determine the number of Heddles required on each shaft of the loom and weavers normally configure the loom with more than required to avoid having to move the Heddles between shafts to get the exact amount the pattern calls for. After threading the loom, any leftover heddles are pushed to each side out of the way. If you are using the full width of the loom and know you will have extra heddles on a shaft frame, instead of removing them, they can be interspersed among the "live" heddles as you thread.

On new 4 shaft looms Leclerc normally provides the following quantities:

• 9-15 inch = 400 heddles
• 24 inch = 600 heddles
• 27-36 inch = 1,000 heddles
• 45 inch = 1,200 heddles
• 60 inch = 1,500 heddles

More or fewer Heddles may be required depending on factors like the width of fabric being woven and the ends per inch being used. Heddles are available in Wire, Inserted Eye and Texsolv. The decision of which to use is the weaver's preference as all three will work on Leclerc looms. You can even mix heddle types on a shaft frame if you choose.

This is critical to ensure that all the warp threads across the width of the fabric have an even tension and to avoid any tangling of the yarn which can cause problems during the warping process.

The length of the warp will determine the number of pegs that are used and the number of warp threads will determine how wide the fabric will be. A Guide String is normally placed on the warping board before the warp is wound to indicate the path to follow.

Some weavers find the Warping Mill is easier on their arms and shoulders because there is less arm movement involved. Rotating the Mill is easier than the long reach required when using the Warping Board.

When a warp is constructed using a Warping Board or Mill, the complete warp is created and then transferred to the loom winding it on using either the Front-to-Back or Back-to-Front method explained below.

There are two ways of feeding the yarn through the Reed and Heddles which is called "Sleying" the Reed and "Threading" the Heddles. If you start with the warp at the back of the loom and feed it through the Heddles and then the Reed it is called "Back-to-Front" and the weaver usually sits at the front of the loom pulling the threads first through the Heddles and then through the Reed.

If instead the weaver starts with the warp at the front of the loom, they normally sit at the back and feed the warp threads through the Reed and then the Heddles. This is called the "Front-to-Back" method. Each method has its advantages and each weaver will pick their own.

In the "Sectional Weaving" method described above, "Back-to-Front" is used as the loom has already been tied and wound on the warp beam at the back.

In order to take a warp that has been wound and use it to warp the loom, there is a procedure to follow and a number of tools that make the job easier and more importantly ensure that all the yarn does not end up in a tangled mess!

A pair of simple sticks the width of the loom called Lease Sticks are used to hold the end of the warp that has been made to ensure that the order of threads is preserved in what is called "the cross". The Lease Sticks are used during the warping process to maintain order. Some weavers remove them after the Reed is sleyed and others prefer to keep them installed during the weaving process.

A Raddle which is a board the width of the loom with physical dividers every half inch is often used to space the yarn out so it is positioned correctly across the width of the loom. Raddles are normally required when warping "Back-to-Front" to keep the threads organized before they go through the heddles.

A Reed and/or Heddle Hook is used to make it easier to get the individual warp threads through the reed and heddle eyes. The weaver inserts the hook through the reed dent or heddle eye, hooks on the correct thread and pulls the hook and thread back through. While a thread can be put through a Heddle Eye or Reed Dent by hand these tools speed up the process and reduce the chance of a threading mistake where threads are crossed or missed.

As the warp threads are wound around the Warp Beam it is a good idea, especially on long warps, that something is inserted between the turns to keep the warp leveled out so there are no high or low spots which will affect the tension. Some weavers use some kind of paper for this but Warp Sticks can be inserted parallel to the warp beam every so often, are reusable on every project and provide a more stable support for the threads.

For Sectional Warping, which combines Step 2 with part of Step 3, instead of Warp Sticks to separate the turns, special plastic Dividers designed to fit in the 1 or 2 inch space between the metal brackets are used as the warp is wound on the Sectional Warp Beam.

In this part of the process, the weaver passes some kind of Shuttle loaded with weft thread/material through the "Shed" or vertical space between the warp threads created by the loom as shafts are raised and or lowered. There are a wide variety of Shuttle types including Rag Shuttles to hold fabric, Ski Shuttles and Stick Shuttles to hold bulkier yarn, but the most common are Boat Shuttles that hold a Bobbin (or bobbins) with weft thread wound on it.

While a single Shuttle may be enough, when weaving multiple colours of yarn on a project, having a Shuttle for each colour of yarn loaded on it, saves time, so it is common for weavers to use a number of shuttles on a project.

Before the Boat Shuttle is ready to be used, the weft yarn must be wound on it. Normally some kind of a Winder from a simple mechanical one to a faster electric powered design is used to speed up what many find a tedious process. Because winding a Bobbin interrupts the actual weaving, most weavers have a supply of bobbins so they can wind a batch of them and simply replace the empty Bobbin in the Shuttle with a new full one to keep weaving.

On some fabrics, even though the Reed is holding the yarn to match the desired Sett, there may be draw-in with the fabric narrowing as it gets closer to the front Breast Beam and the Cloth Beam. A Temple (also called a Stretcher) is often used by the weaver to keep the fabric pulled out while it is being woven. It may not be required for many projects but some weavers use them all the time. They are especially helpful when weaving rugs.

These are the books we recommend:

Learning to Weave - This is probably the best book for a new weaver as it breaks down the process into lessons with excellent descriptions and illustrations. This guide is used as the textbook for many beginning weaving courses and a well used copy is found in the library of many handweavers.

Weaving for Beginners - This weaving guide by Peggy Ostercamp is very comprehensive and includes many very clear illustrations. It is an excellent guide for those learning to weave and a wonderful reference to keep close to the loom.

Warp and Weave - This is an older book produced by Leclerc and included with almost every Leclerc loom. It is not as detailed as the above books but uses Leclerc looms and equipment to demonstrate the whole process with many tips.

There are quite a few other books available covering other areas of weaving and specific techniques. A full list can be found here. While not an instruction guide, Handweaver's Pattern Directory which contains hundreds of 4 shaft patterns is also very popular as a source for patterns for new weavers.