People say that you cross a line when you have more than 2 cats, especially if you are a single women. Last week I think we crossed a different line, when I bought a table loom. We now have 2 sewing machines, 1 serger, a spinning wheel ( I do not own it, but it’s here), a yarn stash, a fabric stash, a button stash, yarn dyeing equipment and all kinds of fibre related tools and now a loom. I think the only thing missing at this point is a sheep in the backyard ( or maybe an angora rabbit?)
As I have mentioned before my 10 y/o daughter has fallen in love with weaving. ( Maybe it has something to do with the fact, that this is the one thing I do not do?) I bought her a small loom last year and they also did some weaving in school. She told me the other day, that she would like a larger loom. She had some birthday money left so I started searching.
I looked at new looms and used looms on E-bay and Craigslist. I found out quickly, that looms are not cheap and it was hard for me to figure out what she needs. In the end I called someone who had listed a table loom on Craigslist at a very reasonable price. When I saw it I could not believe how big it was. I thought table loom meant portable, but I was wrong. The loom has the size of a child’s desk. It comes with its own stand. The weaving width is 32 inches and it has 4 shafts. It is made out of pine, is about 40 years old and from Norway. It is beautiful.
I just stood there for a while and stared at it. Then I asked every question I could think of, trying to find out if we could make it work. The owner of the loom was very patient and finally found a book for us as well. It is Learning to Weave by Deborah Chandler and I think it is great.
Later at home I took a crash course in weaving, figured out how to warp the loom for thicker yarn and off she went. ( She likes this style of weaving: thinner yarn for the warp and thicker yarn in the weft.) She is now weaving her second scarf, this time in a twill pattern and is absolutely in love with her new loom. I am astonished how fast she is and how quickly she figured out the pattern.
Do you think I can borrow it some time? I have already subscribed to Weavecast.
OMGosh you have a master weaver! She’s already figuring out Twill!!!!
The Chandler book may not hold her for long. LOL. Prepare thyself!
Heather
Oh, Heather, thank you! She is has grown an inch since reading your comment ; )
That looks like so much fun. It would be a nice activity to share with your daughter. My Swedish mormor used to weave. She had a loom that filled the whole room, it was so big. She was pretty amazing. I don’t know how she made the things she did. I feel very lucky that I have some of her tablecloths and woven blankets. Take care & have a great night!
xox,
Linnea
Thank you! Yes, we share: I do the work and she gets to do the fun part ; )
No, she does help warp the loom, but I have not been allowed to weave anything yet…
that’s dedication only a mum could have – to do all the warping and none of the weaving
i came to weaving through my daughter too, although she’s only 5, so i’m the one with the table loom (for the moment!). your daughter’s work is beautiful.
Soph, I am so tempted to weave a bit while she is at school, but I have been good so far ; )
I think, she wants to claim weaving as her craft in this house, which I can understand.