Weaving Fine on Flip

Two-heddle weaving on the rigid heddle loom is easier than you think, especially with the built-in 2-heddle capability of our specially designed Flip Loom.

 Let’s start with the basics of rigid heddle weaving. First, because of how rigid heddles are designed, your sett is predetermined by the slot-hole configuration of the heddle. Flip rigid heddle looms are available with 8, 10, or 12-dent reeds, which means you can weave 8, 10, or 12 ends per inch. (If you are a rank beginner, see our rigid heddle instructions at www.schachtspindle.com/help/rhloom_instr_new.htm).

Because of the way rigid heddles are molded out of plastic with alternating slots and holes, it isn’t possible to physically make a reed with a finer sett than 12 and still be able to get a threading hook through the holes and slots as well as have a heddle stable enough to function properly. You can get around this limitation by using two rigid heddles together to produce a finer sett. For example, if you want to weave 20 ends per inch, you can do it by using two 10-dent rigid heddle reeds. As a bonus is that you can also weave some simple textured weaves, again adding to the versatility of what can be done on this simple, yet powerful little loom.

We designed the Flip loom with two-heddle weaving in mind—the only such loom we know of. Incorporated into the frame is a threading slot to make threading two heddles easier. Also incorporated into the heddle block is a second neutral position as well as space for using two heddles in the up and down positions.

To thread for two heddles, we used the indirect warping method. That is, we first measured the warp on a warping board, threaded the back heddle, wound onto the back beam, then threaded the front heddle and tied on to the front. (See www.schachtspindle.com/help/rhloom_instr_new.htm). To help see what is going on, measure two different colors together as we did for this sampler, alternating the colors in the warp.

Note: You can also use the direct warping method, sleying four threads in each slot.

After measuring the warp, secure the warp chain to the front beam so that it reaches to the threading slot. Place the first heddle in a neutral position in the heddle block (it doesn’t matter which one, but it will be more comfortable to thread the one closest to you). Thread one warp end through each hole and 3 warp ends in each slot. You will have color A in each hole and one color A and two color B warps in each slot. Thread all your warp threads in this heddle, then wind onto the warp beam.

Note: The rear heddle is heddle 2, the front heddle is heddle 1.

It's Cherry Time Again! See our website for details on limited edition Cherry Baby and Mighty Wolf Loom Packages and accessories. schachtspindle.com/cherrywolf.htm

A Letter
from the Editor
Dear Weavers and Spinners,
  If you’re like me, you've made your New Year's resolutions -- and now you're trying to "keep it going" a month into the New Year. My list includes: weave a gift for my friend, finish the basket I started last year, prepare rigid heddle samples for the classes I'll be teaching this year, try out the yarn I purchased at Convergence…! How to get it all done in between work, family, friends, exercise… laundry? As I water the plants, I’m eating breakfast while I scan the newspaper, packing a lunch in between bites. Late again, I’m huffing and puffing my way out the door, thinking can’t I get a load of laundry in before rushing out for the day? My typical morning behavior is now known as task saturation (multi-tasking taken to an extreme). And I have it bad. So much to do. So little time.  “Stop,” I say. “Is this REALLY how I want to live?”
   What I yearn for is the kind of time I remember having as a kid—no commitments, no time constraints, no worries. Time to mess around. What I really want to do in the New Year is just fool around. Play. I’ll let you know how it goes...

Happy New Year,
  

2

Move the threaded heddle to the neutral slot closest to the warp beam. Place the second heddle in the front neutral slot. (See figure 1 at www.schachtspindle.com/
instructions/flip_manual.htm).

To thread the front heddle, thread the color A warp end from corresponding hole in heddle 2 into the adjacent slot on heddle 1. Then thread the three warps in this way: Color B in the slot to the right, color A in the hole, and color B in the slot to the left. As with the first heddle, you will now have 1 warp end in a hole and 3 warp ends in a slot. (See illustration.) It is important when you begin threading that you begin in the corresponding slots and holes (if you begin in hole 8 in heddle 2 then you need to begin in hole 8 in heddle 1). After you have completed threading heddle 1, tie on to the front apron rod as usual.

To weave plain weave, just hold the heddles together and weave in the up and down positions as usual. You’ll hardly know the difference between using one vs. two heddles.

Two-Heddle Sampler
Reed: two 8-dent rigid heddle reeds
E.P.I.: 16
Warp:  5/2 pearl cotton in bronze and 10/2 pearl cotton in avocado
Warp Color Order: alternate bronze and avocado.
Thread all bronze in the slots.

Sample 1: 1/3 Basket weave variation
Weave plan (bronze weft):

1. Heddle 1 up
2. Heddle 1 down
3. REPEAT

(Note: Heddle 2 does not move in this weave.)

Sample 2: Plain weave variation
Weave plan (red weft):

1. Heddle 1 up
2. Heddle 2 up
3. Heddle 1 & 2 down
4. REPEAT

Sample 4: Plain weave variation Pick up every other slot thread using a pick up stick.
Weave plan (navy weft): Heddle 1 and 2 up with pick up stick Heddle 1 up Heddle 1 & 2 down REPEAT
	front	back

Sample 5: Plain weave variation
Weave plan (navy weft): Heddle 1 up Heddle 1 down Heddle 2 up REPEAT
	front	back

Sample 6: Plain weave variation
Weave plan (navy weft): Heddle 1 up Heddle 2 up Heddle 1 up Heddle 2 up Heddle 1 & 2 down REPEAT
	front	back

Sample 7: Plain weave variation
Weave plan (navy weft): Heddle 1 up Heddle 1 & 2 down Heddle 1 up Heddle 1 down REPEAT
	front	back

3

Dear Violet Rose,

Help. I can’t get a shed. When I press on a treadle my shafts don’t go up.
            —Anna in Nevada

Dear Anna,
I’m willing to bet that you forgot to go over the back beam when you wound your warp onto the warp beam. This happens more often than you think, and to experienced weavers, too. Just take a look at the back of your loom and make sure that your warp goes OVER the back beam. On the Standard Floor Loom this is an easy fix: just loosen the warp, pull off the removable back beam, slide the beam under the warp, and replace it.
            —VR

 

Spin it! Weave it! You can do it! Spinning and Weaving Week, October 1 - 7, 2007

Lamp Holder
Lamp Holders are handy for mounting an extension lamp onto the side of the loom. They are designed for our Standard Low Castle Floor Loom and can be installed on one or both sides of the loom. The High Castle Standard Floor Loom already has holes drilled on the top castle to accommodate a lamp. You can also mount a Lamp Holder on a Mighty Wolf Loom, but you need to request shorter screws when ordering it. On the Baby Wolf, a Lamp Holder mounted on the side castle will restrict the folding ability of the loom. However, the Baby Wolf High Castle Tray has holes in the top for the post of an extension lamp, so a lamp holder isn’t needed when using a high castle tray.

 
Treadle Tracker
The Treadle Tracker is a mini clipboard that can be mounted to the loom castle. Its purpose is to hold your treadling sequences or special weaving notations so that they are easily accessible at the loom. The Treadle Tracker comes with the Wolf Pup and fits into a slot in the top of the castle. The Treadle Tracker can be purchased separately and used on any loom that has a place to attach it.

Wolf Height Extender
If you are tall or have long legs, you might want to consider adding a Height Extender to your Baby Wolf or Mighty Wolf loom. Because it requires longer treadles and tie-up cords, the best way to order a Height Extender is with your loom. (You can order it later, but it will cost more because you have to change out the tie-up cords and treadles.) The Height Extender raises the loom 2”, making the loom the same height as our Standard Floor Loom.

Lace Winder
Our double-ended lace winder is just like our bobbin winder, except instead of “outies,” it has “innies.” Available in both electric and manual models, our lace winder can accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes of lace and tapestry bobbins. If you already have a double-ended bobbin winder, you can order the lace winder conversion kit and just change out the tips.