This cute little wooden frame loom jumped into my hands this weekend. How could I pass it up? It was only $3. However, once I warped it and started a tiny project–the loom measures just 6″ x 7″–I found it less than cute to use. The warp strands need to be very tight or the heddle, which rocks back and forth to create a shed, slips right off. It’s very tiny but not as useable as one would hope.
The Noro sock yarn warp that I wanted to use on my new Ashford Table Loom snapped while rolling it onto the warp beam. More than once. Maybe three, or four, or even five threads snapped! And because that happened after I cut the ends, I couldn't save it for a future weft, so I took it off the Ashford and rolled it onto the Glimakra Emilia, hoping I could use a light touch when it comes to weaving… One can only hope.
Have you ever ventured into the garage to search for a piece of scrap lumber, found one, marked it up, pounded about a couple dozen nails into it, trimed off the edge with a saw, only to hear your husband say, "That was the board I was saving. It was a very expensive piece of wood." Ooops.
Oh well. I really like this homemade raddle I made in about five minutes. Yes, the nails are a bit sideways, but this very expensive piece of hardwood was just what I wanted, and I can't imagine it cost more than $49, which is what the raddle kit runs nowadays. I've promised to buy another oak board for my husband, who wasn't really all that troubled, and so it works out fine.
This warp, Noro sock yarn (Taiyo), will be tricky. It's slubby and I've heard it can snap, so I'll be careful. I'm wanting to weave a lightweight scarf using a crochet cotton weft in black and a spot Bronson weave.
A very kind relative gifted me her unused 4 Harness Ashford Folding Table Loom (16"). It was very special how it was delivered, a bright spot during a dark time. I think it's a beautiful loom, and I have an idea brewing in the back of my mind to add the treadle stand to it, making it a little floor loom. She also gave me a warping board, which I put to use this weekend. I've always thought Ashford table looms were very cleverly designed, and I love how tidy and portable it is folded down flat. I've also watched and recommended to many people the three Ashford "warping your table loom" tutorials, which were done using this model. Now I have one. đŸ™‚
Isn't it pretty? Of course, the kitty agrees.