In this class, we’ll learn the specifics of setting up and weaving on a rigid heddle loom. These concepts will also be taught in the larger context of weaving that’s been practiced in numerous cultures for thousands of years. You’ll learn some of the basic terminology and approaches which apply to a variety of looms, so you can choose to build on this knowledge with multi-shaft or tapestry looms in future workshops.
In this hands-on workshop you’ll learn to direct-warp yarn onto your loom, weave (including exploring techniques like clasped weft and simple lace), and remove the sample piece from the loom, and we’ll talk through weaving math, planning projects, and wet finishing.
Materials: We will provide a 10″ rigid heddle loom you can take home between sessions (please note that if you break or damage the loom, you are responsible for the replacement cost). You will need warping and weaving materials; we recommend that you bring 2-4 partial or full balls of sock-weight, fingering, or worsted weight yarn.
In this class, we’ll learn the specifics of setting up and weaving on a rigid heddle loom. These concepts will also be taught in the larger context of weaving that’s been practiced in numerous cultures for thousands of years. You’ll learn some of the basic terminology and approaches which apply to a variety of looms, so you can choose to build on this knowledge with multi-shaft or tapestry looms in future workshops.
In this hands-on workshop you’ll learn to direct-warp yarn onto your loom, weave (including exploring techniques like clasped weft and simple lace), and remove the sample piece from the loom, and we’ll talk through weaving math, planning projects, and wet finishing.
Materials: We will provide a 10″ rigid heddle loom you can take home between sessions (please note that if you break or damage the loom, you are responsible for the replacement cost). You will need warping and weaving materials; we recommend that you bring 2-4 partial or full balls of sock-weight, fingering, or worsted weight yarn.
In two sessions, we’ll try a bit of each of a series of weaving techniques to create a sampler on the Schacht Cricket rigid heddle loom. Techniques will include the following:
- Hem stitching at beginning and end
- Warp floats
- Weft floats
- Lace
- Adding a third dimension
- Soumak
- Embroidery/needlework on the loom
- Fringe techniques
You’ll be encouraged to bring a variety of materials to play with and share with other students, and you’ll get instructions before the class on setting up the loom. You’ll need to show up to the first class with your loom already properly warped.
Materials: You will need to warp your loom ahead of class with a 2.5 yard warp. If you need to borrow a loom, please contact us to make arrangements. Student assumes full responsibility for loom and replacement cost in case of damage.
Pre-Requisite: Intro to Traditional Weaving (if you feel like you have enough experience with a rigid heddle loom to waive this pre-requisite, contact us).
Date: Sundays, June 11 and 18 (meets twice), 10:30 am to 1 pm
I recycle a lot of sweaters. A LOT. Just in the past few days I took five of them from being wearable men’s cotton garments to washed skeins of cotton yarn, which I will use to weave towels for sale. I also recycle sweaters made from wool, cashmere, silk, and other materials to sell as yarn, remanufacture into pieces for sale, and use in personal projects. It is wicked fun to transform these often boring and certainly unloved sweaters into freshly-freed, beautiful yarn, and the fun aspect keeps me going despite sometimes significant obstacles and surprises. Using recycled materials is a mission of mine, but even the most fervent can have their faith tested on a regular basis.
Read more
I’m always looking for ways to make my work more efficient – especially the non-creative tasks – so I have more time to do the creative and deep-thinking work. There’s definitely some happiness that comes out of brainless tasks like winding yarn, but when you’re doing them on a large scale, it can get physically and mentally tiring. I probably should have been a mechanical engineer (if I had known what that was when I was applying to music school!) – I love tools and I love to figure out how to rig up the tools I need. Oh, I’m also wicked cheap, a bit of a packrat (hoarder?), and a pathological reuser, so I like to either use stuff I already have in my basement or get someone else’s old stuff from a thrift store to make these tools. The more I can reuse, the less I can buy or bring new stuff into my house, the happier I am.
So the latest tool I decided I needed is a motorized yarn winder. Read more
