When it comes to selecting a table loom to purchase, we are not as spoiled for choice as we may be for rigid heddle looms.
This can actually be a positive rather than negative thing, as it can be easier to choose when the selection is more narrow.
In this post I’m going to provide details for table looms currently available commercially (if I miss any brands it would be because they are obscure and not easy to obtain.) I will also give the retail prices of each so that you can compare.
*This post contains affiliate links
As a little disclaimer, the only brand of table loom I have actually used and am really familiar with is Ashford. So, I’m not giving an opinion or appraisal on the other brands, but rather providing available information and pricing.
Most of the looms I mention here do not come with extras like stands, benches or raddles. These things are available as separate purchases.
Let’s dive in!
I’m going to start with Ashford table looms, for the reasons already given above. There are quite a few options with Ashford and pricing is quite reasonable by comparison. Please note that the photographs are all courtesy of the manufacturers and all prices do not include stands.
All prices are in US dollars.
The entry level table loom from Ashford is a 4 shaft and is available in weaving widths of 16, 24 (pictured) and 32 inches. Prices start at around $840USD for the 16″.
The cool thing about a 4 shaft is that there is room on the castle front to upgrade to 8 shafts later if you choose to, so if you’re not sure you can always start out on 4 and see how you go.
There are also stands available separately, and these come with the option of also purchasing a treadle kit for more of a floor loom experience.
Then we have the 8 shaft range, also available in 16 (pictured), 24 and 32“. 8 shaft prices start at $890USD.
There is even a 16 shaft table loom for those who love the idea of having lots of shafts to play around with.
All the Ashford table looms have a folding castle for compatibility, meaning they are a good travel or teaching loom. The beater is overhead and easy to use. Each loom comes standard with a stick shuttle, threading and reed hook, 10 dent beater and 640 texsolv heddles to get you started. All Silver Beech wooden pieces come lacquered and ready to assemble.
If you need help to assemble your new Ashford table loom, I have instructional videos:
Le Clerc has several table loom options. Their looms look to me to be made in a more traditional style with dark wood, straight lines and metal heddles plus a boat shuttle included.
The Dorothy table loom comes in 15.75 or 24″ weaving width and may have 4, 8 or 12 shafts. Starting price is $750USD. Le Clerc also make the Voyageur, which goes right up to 16 shafts. You have the option of buying a stand with these looms and I must say that I really like the way their stands are basically a sturdy little table with side shelves – shelves are a great thing to have with any loom in my opinion! There is also the option here to purchase a treadle stand.
Your options for table looms with Schacht are a little narrower, to be the best of my knowledge they just make one model of table loom, but in a variety of weaving widths and a choice of 4 or 8 shafts. These looms are constructed with maple wood and you actually get a choice of reed size, which is a nice bonus! Prices start at $742USD. A stand is available for separate purchase, as is a double back beam kit.
Glimakra makes the Victoria Table Loom. Once again, there is not a lot of variation as this is their only table loom and it is only available in 4 shafts with a 27″ weaving width. Something I find interesting about this loom is that it doesn’t fold and isn’t very portable, but just looking at it you can see that it’s a solid, sturdy loom. The starting price for this loom is $1,100USD and once again you have the option of purchasing a stand and treadle kit.
Toika makes a table loom in only one size (23.6″) but with a choice of 4 or 8 shafts. It comes with an 8 dent reed and 200 texsolv heddles. The levers for this loom look a little different as the ends that you grip on to for shaft manipulation are rounded pegs. At first glance, I wonder whether the shape of these pegs cause hand fatigue for the weaver, I do think that would be a possible problem for me. Prices start at $825USD. This loom can apparently be mounted on a stand, however I don’t think Toika actually make a stand specifically for this loom.
Lastly, Louet make a few different table looms. I have to mention the Klik Table Loom first, as it’s such a different concept to your regular table loom. The shafts are actually operated (raised) from the side based on a spring and click system. Then you beat with a swinging beater. The loom comes with 4 shafts, but up to 16 shafts can be added to the space. This loom looks very lightweight and portable, which would make it an ideal “take with you” loom. A couple of thoughts that spring to mind though. 1. You have to lean around to the side to operate the shafts, possibly not good for back or shoulder injuries? 2. The loom looks like it would sit flat on a table, but at the same time the shafts look lower than the bottom edge of the loom? And what about those handles, could you not do a full rotation if the loom was on a table? Therefore, would it possibly be necessary to purchase the stand to use this loom effectively? So, while the concept is very interesting, I would definitely want to try this loom before buying. Price for the Klik is $750USD.
Louet also make the Jane (pictured) and the Erica table looms. I have heard very good things about these two looms and they are definitely gaining popularity. The Erica starts at $555USD for the 4 shaft or you can start with the 2 shaft at $370USD and upgrade to 4 later. The Jane comes standard with 8 shafts in 2 different weaving widths, and a built in raddle (no separate purchase for that) starting at $1,195USD. These looms fold down and are light weight to transport.
The links I’ve provided in this post are from Amazon and The Woolery.
If you are in Australia and interested in purchasing an Ashford loom, I recommend Tracy from Knit Spin Weave.
If you are in Australia and it’s a Louet you’re after, I recommend Nicky from The Thread Collective.
Have I missed any table looms that should have been mentioned? If so, please tell me in the comments below.
If you are interested in table loom weaving or already own one but need help to get going, my Table Loom Weaving course would be perfect for you!
I hope this has been useful to you!
Until next time…
Happy Weaving!
For anyone interested in the LeClerc Dorothy, particularly the 15 3/4 inch size, used ones show up frequently. They have been made for years, so there are a lot of them around. I picked up a 1990 vintage 4-shaft recently for a very reasonable price off of Ebay. Looks like it had hardly been used. Ultimately I want a 24 inch 8-shaft loom, but the price for the used one was too good to pass up.
I finally gave in to temptation earlier today and ordered a 24″ four shaft Leclerc Dorothy. I like their more traditional style, and that they appear to have the fewest plastic parts of any of the table looms I looked at. From all of the pictures I’ve found of them, it looks like the only plastic parts they have are the lever knobs. I also like that they can be expanded to eight or twelve shafts down the road, and that they have a stand with treddle kit option. It looks like the treddle kit only works with four shafts. That will probably be the first add-on I buy for it, after recovering from splurging on the loom itself. Four shafts will probably keep me busy for a long time. Heck, the transition from a rigid heddle loom to a table loom alone will keep me busy for a long time.
Good choice Kevin! Yes, you’re right, the transition will keep you busy and for me, after all these years of weaving on table and floor looms, 4 shaft drafts are what I weave the most 😊
I have found your information on table looms, along with your courses, fascinating and very helpful. Thankyou Kelly.
I have a Louet Erica 4 50cms shaft loom which I love but I’m starting to crave a wider 8 shaft loom. The price difference between the Louet and Ashford looms is enormous in the UK. I don’t know whether to save for longer for a 70cms Louet Jane or commit to an Ashford which comes in 80cms. It would be easier to decide, maybe, if I could go to see and try them, but unfortunately I cannot. It sounds like you are very experienced in using them and would recommend them. I wish I was better at making decisions! LOL
I haven’t actually tried a Jane, though I would love to because I get asked to compare all the time. Yes, the price difference is big! All I can say is that there are weavers who love their Louet table looms and weavers who love their Ashford table looms – they are both a great option.
Thankyou. I keep changing my mind! Dee
I know. It’s very hard to decide when you can’t just hop on a loom to try it out first. I’ve bought all my looms that way though – over the internet without having even seen one in person. I’m happy to say that all the purchases have worked out really well, and I’m sure that once you actually do decide, you won’t have any regrets.
Nice article!
I think I can clarify your doubts about the Louet Klik. If you look closely at the photo you see it has legs right near the handles, with black rubber caps. That explains the shaft height, as they would not hit the table thanks to the legs. As for the handles, they can slide in the socket, so you could put them halfway instead of extended to one side, which means they won’t hit the table either. Having them all the way out makes it easier to turn if it is on a stand.
You can more clearly see both in the third picture on this page: http://www.shop.saberfazer.org/products/tear-louet-klik-40
I was lucky enough to go on a factory tour at Louet a few years ago and fell completely for the Jane loom. I love it so much! I am trying to find more people who prefer table looms, which is how I found this article. They have since introduced a 50cm width version of the Jane loom, so it’s now in 3 widths.
Thanks for your insights Karin. A factory tour would be so fascinating! I have many students who weave on a Jane and they all love them – I’ve never heard anything negative, other than the price, but I don’t think anyone could challenge the quality of Louet looms.
The castle of the Glimakra Victoria does actually fold down by removing one of the two screws at the sides.
Thanks Anne, that’s good to know!
Hi, Toika now makes an 8-shaft table loom and also stands for the different versions. Look at the picture: http://kauppa.toika.com/tuotekuvat/122×122/Kuva_26_Leena_0835.jpg
Great, thanks for that Marianne 😊
I am in the process of saving up for the Ashford 8 shaft table loom. I see that there’s a treadle kit for the 4 shaft. Do you know if there’s also one for the 8 shaft? That would be so cool. I never realized that was any sort of an option before reading your post.
I’m not sure Lesley, but I can find out for you!
OK, so with the treadle kit, you can only tie up 4 shafts as a direct tie up with 4 treadles, then you use 4 levers in addition if you are weaving on 8 shafts. Does that make sense?
Thank you so much, this really helps.
I have the Glimakra and LOVE it!! It’s super easy to use and warp.
❤️
My Ashford 8-shaft just arrived. So excited to use your videos to put it together and get started weaving. I purchased a height-adjustable 34″ square table rather than a stand to ensure that I can make it ergonomic for me to use as I’m only 4’9″ tall. Will update with my experience in about a month. Thanks Kelly!
Hooray for you Robyn, I have the feeling you’re going to love it!
I too love my Louet Erica 4 shaft, which I’ve had for a couple of years. It’s so easy to transport to workshops etc, even with weaving in place. I also have a beautiful old Harris 8 shaft complete with metal heddles.
Lovely 😊
I’m in no way in the market for a table loom (I just got my first rigid heddle in September and a second wider one for Christmas) but do you think a table loom is a good step before a floor loom? Which I’m also not in the market for with 5 kids at home, but I love to learn and know these things! 🤣
Kim, a table loom is a perfect introduction to floor loom weaving, and that is how I did it – bought the table loom, learned multi shafts on that, then bought the floor loom a little while later. I have 4 kids at home and I won’t tell you how many looms I now own, let’s just say that finding any available space is becoming a problem! 😂
I received an Erica 4-shaft loom in September, 2019, and love it. Purchased a stand also. It comes with 200 texsolv heddles and has a built in raddle. It is easy to assemble using the instructions provided. I’m really pleased and highly recommend it.
Thanks for the good overview of table looms.
I’m so glad you love it. I’ve really heard only positive things about Louet table looms, so they seem to be a great option.