Looms

Looming parts... from boxes to weaving

Looming parts... from boxes to weaving

Put things in boxes. Keep them from getting broken… they said.

Okay, that is what my brain said when I was packing. But let me tell you, when you take apart four different large looms with wooden parts and then put them in boxes that match the size/length of the parts instead of by loom, it can make it mighty difficult to find the parts when you want to put just one of those looms back together again on the other end! Sure, it was efficient in terms of packing and the number of long boxes I had, but not so great on this side of things.

Putting the rug loom back together with my dad…

The weaving woodwork of Jim Hokett

The weaving woodwork of Jim Hokett

Jim Hokett’s business was called Hokett Would Work. He was a woodworker and his little pun was quite a joke actually because I have met few people who worked harder than he did. For many years after finding his beautiful looms at a conference booth, I purchased his looms and tools. He did eventually retire several years ago and the tapestry weaving world has missed him ever since.

Jim passed away suddenly on March 6th. I wanted to post some of his work here as a remembrance. I hope you’ll tell me your memories of using his tools or maybe interacting with him in the comments.

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Tapestry weaving on a budget

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Tapestry weaving on a budget

Historically tapestry weaving was a trade. In the middle ages (and even through present times), weavers were skilled technicians weaving large designs created usually by painters. Today tapestry weaving has become an art form that is often practiced at smaller scales by people who are designing and weaving their own work.

Tapestry has a wealthy past as patrons funded the workshops that wove those large tapestries for their castles and country homes. Today tapestry weaving can be for everyone.

It is true that purchasing equipment and materials for any new art form can be pricey. There are many tapestry looms for sale that for many people are just too expensive to consider. And tapestry yarns can also feel out of reach when you have to purchase large amounts in many colors. But there are less expensive ways to find the materials and equipment needed.

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A little more time in Taos: tapestry and Mabel Dodge Luhan

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A little more time in Taos: tapestry and Mabel Dodge Luhan

I’m teaching in Taos this week at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House. This is a group of alumni to my retreats and most have been to Taos before. We have become a great group of friends over the years and it is a marvelous way to share about tapestry weaving, coming together in a beautiful and quiet setting. There is a fire going in the house at all times, the food is beyond marvelous, and the thick adobe walls ensure quiet rest.

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Warping for various setts on a peg loom with this one simple trick (plus a discount code!)

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Warping for various setts on a peg loom with this one simple trick (plus a discount code!)

Schacht Spindle Company has a selection of tapestry looms that I use. Their peg looms are sturdy and easy to find in the USA and in some places around the world. While I love their new Arras tapestry loom (reviewed here), their peg looms are great for travel or for small projects at home. These looms include the Schacht Lilli Loom, Easel Weaver Loom, and School Loom. The pegs used on these three looms are all the same and the sett is about 5.5 ends per inch. Most of us don’t want to weave at 5.5 ends per inch when weaving small things because we want more detail, so how do you warp these looms to get closer setts?

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Shed Stick UPDATE! More options for your small-loom tapestry weaving

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Shed Stick UPDATE! More options for your small-loom tapestry weaving

I wrote a post a couple months ago about using shed sticks which included the few options that I could find readily available. Since then I’ve had several updates to the shed stick situation and I now have a healthy list of great options. I am quite sure there are more great tools out there. Here I was focusing on makers who have their work in stock all the time or at least with good consistency.* These are all US makers, but there are woodworkers all over the world and I am sure there are small tool makers in your neighborhood also if you do not live in the US.

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Messing around with looms and yarn, Part 2

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Messing around with looms and yarn, Part 2

Who else is a loom geek? I really enjoy trying out different pieces of equipment and though I’d love to try every large tapestry loom, mostly I’m testing small looms that I have the space for (or not!). Last week I talked about this new-to-me loom I’m playing with from weaversbazaar in the UK. I’ve had a wonderful time picking the shed and trying out the WB heavy 5/2 wool. You can read about that HERE. I wanted to share a bit more about the clamps that are holding the loom and try them with a couple other looms I like.*