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:

*This post contains some affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

*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 link) has 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.

If you have any questions, don’t be shy, leave me a comment below.

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Comments

Hana

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You recommend S hooks in many of your videos, but you don’t tell us how much they weigh. I live in a quite remote place and don’t think I can find them easily, but I can weigh a few coins and stitch them into a bag if you tell us the weight? Thanks!

- Kelly
  
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  Hi Hana, I will weigh them when I’m in the studio and let you know 😉
  
- Kelly
  
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  OK, I have 2 different types, very similar design.
  One type weighs 31 grams and the other type weighs 35 grams.
  
Kris Gilbert Watson

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Kelly is there any email address where I could contact you? I see no contact information on your web page and I could not get to the link to the list sign up to work. It just went to a blank page. And I would like to send you a photo of my loom as I bought it on etsy and I want your opinion on whether I could use it like a rigid heddle so I could take your course.

- Kelly
  
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  Hi Kris, You can email me here- kelly@kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com
  
Marilyn

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Please compare and contrast the rigid heddle loom with the knitters loom. How to decide which to get?

- Kelly
  
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  Here is the post that compares the two-
  http://kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com/2020/07/how-is-a-knitters-loom-different-to-a-rigid-heddle-loom.html
  
Paula Hammond

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I was told that you can’t add another heddle to the Schacht Cricket loom is that correct?

- Kelly
  
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  I’m not sure about that Paula – I know you can add 2 heddles to a Cricket but I don’t know about 3 🤔
  
Kelly

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

Sela Carsen

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Y'all spell "coffee" weird in Australia. 😉

Kelly

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I'm glad you think so too! 😀

Christine

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Definitely a large mug of tea makes any project better.

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