Tools Used in Weaving

Weaving is a craft native to all cultures on the planet.

Hand weaving is ancient utilitarian craft which, over time, has evolved into an art form. Although many artisans still spin and dye their own yarns, weavers have hundreds of colors and dozens of types of yarns to chose from. All that is needed is a loom and the right tools. Hand-held looms, which are sometimes called lap looms, floor looms and table looms range from simple to complex in operation; however, they all require the same tools. While there have been a few innovations such as substituting metal or string in heddles, weaving tools are essentially unchanged.

Pick-up Stick

The pick-up stick is used to lift up the warp threads, the yarn attached to the loom, so that the shuttle with the weft yarn can be woven through. These are used with tapestry looms and table looms without heddles.

Heddles

A heddle is a set of parallel cords or wires in a loom that are used to separate and guide the warp threads and make a path for the shuttle. They are held in place by a harness. Heddles may be knotted string, twisted wire or a narrow strip of steel with an eye. The yarns of the warp are threaded through alternate heddles. The harnesses lift the heddles one at a time to make it easier for the shuttle to pass thorugh. The number of heddles required depends upon how complicated the design is. The minimum is two heddles, but there can be as many as six. The original harness was a long stick or dowel onto which the heddles were tied. These are still used on tapestry looms.

Reed

So named because they were originally made of reeds, this tool is used to keep the warp even and to push the weft, the woven yarn, down to tighten the weaving. They are rectangular frames with narrow metal strips called dents. A thread of yarn is passed through each opening while the loom is being warped. It is held in place by the warp, although the loom may have notches upon which it rests.

Combs and Beaters

Made of wood or metal or both, weaving combs and beaters push the weft down toward the beginning of the weaving. This process tightens the weaving. The teeth of these tools are just wide enough to fit in between the strands of the warp.

Shuttles

Although it is possible to fit a small ball of yarn under the warp, it is easier and faster to use shuttles made for working with different kinds of yarns. Ski and rag shuttles are made to handle thicker yarns, which are wrapped lengthwise around the shuttles. Boat shuttles work more quickly owing to the presence of a bobbin in the bobbin's center. The bobbin holds yarns of medium and fine thickness. Weavers who use boat shuttles generally have several bobbins to switch out of the shuttle when changing yarns.

Addtional Tools for the Warping Process

The most difficult part of the weaving is warping the loom. Although these tools are not necessary to the process of weaving, they make measuring the yarns far easier. The warping mill or the warping board allows the weaver to measure out the yarn that will be needed for the warp. The umbrella swift keeps the skein of yarn from becoming entangled while the weaver winds the yarn onto the warping mill or board.

References

• Learning to Weave: Deborah Chandler: 1994
• Eilonwy.net: How to Weave
• Autonopedia.com: Handloom Construction and Use: The Simple Frame Loom