What tools do I need for rigid heddle weaving?

When you buy a rigid heddle loom, it should come with a few standard tools, which usually include:

*A heddle/reed (usually 7.5 or 8 dent)
* A warping peg and clamp for direct warping
* A clamp for holding the loom to a table while warping
* A stick shuttle
* It may include a threading and reed hook
* Cardboard warp separators (may not come with all looms)
** Some looms now come with a double heddle block built in



Apart from the standard tools, there are extra things that are either essential or come in handy.

Other essentials:

*Scissors - sharp scissors will save you a lot of frustration
*Tape measure
*Warp separators (if not received with your loom)
*Yarn
*Inch ruler (for figuring out the sett of your yarn)
*Project journal for recording all your project information
*A big mug of tea (or is that just me?!)


                       
                                    Handy optional extras:

*Tapestry needle
*Extra heddles
*Fringe twister
*Sewing machine 
*Serger
*Loom stand
*Tapestry beater, comb or household fork
* "S" hooks or other weights
*Calculator
*Instructional books (the  Book Depository (affiliate linkhas a huge range of great weaving books and this post will help you to determine which book/s might be right for you).
*Online lessons are an awesome tool to get started. You can check out my Youtube channel and my Online Weaving School for further help. 

This post is a companion post to this Youtube video, so pop over and watch if you want to see the tools and hear my explanations.

Something to remember when you're just starting out with rigid heddle weaving is that you don't need All.The.Things right away! The tools that come with a newly purchased loom are sufficient to get you started, and you can gradually build from there.

4 comments:

Christine said...

Definitely a large mug of tea makes any project better.

Kelly Casanova said...

I'm glad you think so too! :D

Sela Carsen said...

Y'all spell "coffee" weird in Australia. ;)

Kelly Casanova said...

Ha ha Sela, well I love coffee too, I just try to restrict my intake :)

This blog is closing!

All posts will now be found at my new site.  Click here to go the the new site.