Rigid Heddle Loom Workshop

I am taking a rigid heddle loom workshop at the Lofty Lou’s Placerville Yarn shop. It’s a little bit of a sidetrack from figuring out how to work with my floor loom (still intimidating, still thinking), but I think it’ll prime the pump and get me motivated.

At our first session the instructor, Cindee La Joure, taught me how to warp the loom. The process is different from a floor loom warping, and there are some parts of this that I like. You tie off and sleigh while you measure out your yarn, and there is a peg used to create your cross instead of a warping board. Of course, the down side is the completely manual mechanics of the process. The loom works by raising or lower the shaft and placing it in a designated holding slot while you pass your yarn, and then the shaft is released and used to beat the yarn in. By alternating raised or lowered, you create a basket or tabby weave.

Although this seems simple, there is a lot that can be done to manipulate the warp and create additional patterns. Also, yarn selection can make a big difference- color weaving is a full art itself.

For this workshop, I am making a balance weave scarf. I used a cotton warp thread and I’m weaving using a beautiful silk yarn. The slow process of making is so relaxing, I’m enjoying the work and looking forward to learning more over the next 6 weeks.