Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly

Goodness Gracious Energy Balls

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I seem to be craving sweet, nutrient dense foods frequently in the afternoons.

A cup of tea with something sweet around 3-4pm seems to be just what I need. I used to have a sweet, commercial cookie to dip in my tea, but that is way behind me now!

Something that I love about switching to a healthier lifestyle is that I have found I don’t have to compromise on taste or treats – I just need to find a way to make it tick some healthy boxes.

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And, if it’s quick and easy to prepare a batch that I can then have waiting for me in the fridge or pantry – even better!

These little energy balls tick all the boxes and then some!

They are sweet, slightly salty, substantial, economical and so fast to make.

To throw these together, I only used ingredients that were already in my pantry and that are always there.

The goodness and simplicity of oats, combined with favourites such as honey and peanut butter, (I can not get enough of the stuff!) coconut, linseeds (flaxseeds) , plump raisins, tahini and vanilla extract. So simple, so delicious!

A recipe like this is so adaptable too, you can put in whatever healthy ingredients you have on hand that you think will work.

*Change the linseeds for sunflower seeds.

*Add some chopped nuts to the mix.

*Switch honey for maple syrup or other natural sweetener.

*Switch the raisins for craisins, chopped dried fig, chopped dates or sultanas.

*Add in some chopped, dark chocolate.

*Dip half of each ball in some melted dark chocolate.

Goodness Gracious Energy Balls

5 from 1 vote
Healthy snack balls that taste amazing!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings: 14 serves
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups Quick or rolled oats
  • 0.5 cups Dessicated coconut
  • 2 tbsp Linseeds (whole)
  • 3 tbsp Raisins
  • 2 tbsp Peanut butter
  • 3 tbsp Tahini
  • 2 tbsp Honey
  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. I find it easiest to get my hands into the bowl and squeeze everything together. Once well combined, squeeze and roll into balls and store in the fridge.
    *Note – if your mixture is a little dry, add more honey
    ** If you want to make your balls a little more decadent, add some chopped, dark chocolate!

If you try out this recipe, I’d love to hear if you enjoyed it!

Afternoon Choc Hit Bliss Balls

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Do you have that typical afternoon slump? For me, it happens around 3:30 – 4pm. I always try to look after myself by having a cup of tea and, if I’m lucky, putting my feet up for a few minutes.

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It’s also the time of day that I start craving a sweet treat. To have something sweet but healthy on hand is a great way to prevent myself from scoffing something that is not so good for me.

Bliss balls are the perfect treat. You can make them in the size you want and from a variety of healthy ingredients. They are quick and easy to throw together. Oh, and they are absolutely delicious!

For this recipe, I’ve used some simple ingredients like almond meal, cocoa powder , local honey, maple syrup, freshly squeezed orange juice (if you love an orange zing, you could even include some orange zest!), vanilla extract and dessicated coconut (optional).

I hope you enjoy my recipe!

Kelly

Afternoon Choc Hit Bliss Ball

5 from 1 vote
A delicious and healthy afternoon treat
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups Almond Meal
  • 2 tbsp Cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • 1 tbsp Maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp Fresh orange juice
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • Dessicated coconut (optional for rolling)

Method
 

  1. Place all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
  2. Mash together using a fork until well combined.
  3. Roll into balls.
  4. Roll in dessicated coconut or extra cocoa
  5. Store in the fridge in a container.

Here is a little tip: If you can bear to let the balls sit in the fridge overnight, they taste even better the next day!

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear how you liked it, simply leave me a comment below 😊

Why would you weave with two heddles or more?

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When you buy a rigid heddle loom, it comes equipped with one heddle – usually a 7.5 or 8 dent, depending on the company you purchase from. So, if there is only one heddle with the loom, why would you weave with two heddles or more?

Heddle or Reed?

Before I go any further, I just want to say that when talking about rigid heddle looms, the terms “heddle” and “reed” are usually interchangeable but mean the same thing. For the rest of this article, I will use the term “heddle”.

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

Image from Ashford website

What is a heddle?

The actual “rigid heddle” part of a rigid heddle loom is one of the features that makes it such a great loom for learning how to weave. The heddle is a multi purpose piece of equipment. It spaces your warp, allows you to achieve two different shafts and is also your beater. It’s pretty awesome!

One heddle equals two shafts. The holes are one shaft and the slots are another. So, a rigid heddle loom can be called a two shaft loom, though there are some hot debates about this (Facebook, I keep out of these arguments!) as some people argue that a rigid heddle produces sheds not shafts.

Not really worth arguing over in my opinion, as whatever the case, you can weave 2 shaft drafts (plain weave) with one heddle and a rigid heddle loom.

You may assume then, that when you add a second heddle, you can then weave a 4 shaft pattern, but that is not so.

“What? Didn’t you just say that one heddle equals two shafts? Now I’m confused!”

One heddle does equal two shafts when used on it’s own. BUT, adding an extra heddle does not add two extra shafts, because the slots can only be counted as one shaft.

Before you throw your hands up in frustration and storm away from this page, let me give you an example:

Two Heddle Example

I’m using two heddles. On heddle one, I’m using the holes as shaft 1. On heddle two, I’m using the holes as shaft 2. That leaves the slots for shaft 3.

Think of the threads in holes as dedicated – they’re on one set path that can’t be changed once they’re threaded in. If I lift heddle one, all the shaft 1 hole threads will go up and the slot threads stay down. If I lift heddle two, all the shaft 2 hole threads will go up and the slot threads will stay down.

The only way I can make the slot threads go up would be to put both heddles in the down position, forcing the hole threads down. So you see that the slot threads operate differently to the hole threads and can’t be manipulated in the same way.

The Desire for Exploration

It seems that the desire of weavers to explore and push the boundaries of their looms has been influential in loom production. Many commercially available rigid heddle looms now come with a built in double heddle block rather than just the single they used to be made with. This is a pretty good indicator that weavers want to weave with more than one heddle!

But what can you actually do with more than one heddle? Let’s take a look at the possibilities.

Possibilities

  1. Two heddles to increase your sett.

Say you want to weave a yarn at 20 ends per inch (epi). There is no heddle available that can do that for you, the closest sett available is a 15 (which will give you 15 epi), and that just won’t do when you want to weave at 20 epi! If you use 2 x 10 dent heddles, that will give you 20 epi.

2. Two heddles increase your pattern possibilities.

You can set up your loom with an extra heddle instead of a pick up stick to weave all kinds of patterns. You can consider an extra heddle as an extra shaft, so using two heddles will allow you to weave a three shaft pattern. And there are lots of three shaft patterns to choose from!

I really enjoy weaving with extra heddles in place of pick up sticks or heddle rods. The set up time is less and the weaving is more straightforward.

3. Two heddles allow you to weave double width cloth.

This is one of those eye opening weaving revelations that is just so exciting to discover. Your loom is not wide enough for the project you want to weave. With two heddles, you can weave double your loom’s available weaving width. It’s like magic!

Can I Use Pick Up Sticks or Heddle Rods Instead?

Of course! Extra heddles are definitely more of a financial outlay and the same results can be achieved by other means. This article discusses some pros and cons for each method.

Weaving with more than one heddle is such a popular topic that I have several resources available for weavers who wish to explore further:

Online classes-

Weaving with Two Heddles

Doubleweave Baby Blanket

Christmas Table Runner

Krokbragd Bag

PDF Patterns-

Diamond Stripe Towels

The Midnight Shawl

Double Width Blanket Ebooklet

And if you’re up for a challenge, this class will walk you through how to weave on three heddles!

Three Heddle Adventures

I hope this post was interesting and helpful to you, please leave me a comment to ask questions or let me know if you enjoyed this.

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Making pictures with your loom

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Something that really captivated me before I even started weaving, was the idea of using artistic creativity in weaving.

When I was younger I loved to draw and paint. In my adult life, I have not made a lot of time to devote to making art, but I have been happy to discover that there is a huge crossover with art and weaving.

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One of the most obvious forms of weaving that this crossover takes place in is tapestry weaving. In tapestry, the weaver can have total artistic licence through the use of colours and shapes. The shapes can be basic or complex. Colours can be blended on the loom. And, tapestry can be woven on many different types of looms.

I purchased a Mirrix Big Sister last year, as I wanted to develop my tapestry techniques and also have a dedicated tapestry loom. It is an excellent loom for tapestry, as even though it’s small, I find the available weaving room quite spacious and the tension is awesome.

Before I bought the Mirrix, I wove tapestries on my rigid heddle loom.

I had a lot of fun using different yarns and styles. My most popular Youtube series details how to weave in a free and unplanned style with a variety of yarns and colours.

I’ve also explored more tradition tapestry techniques on the rigid heddle loom. I particularly enjoyed taking my Sampleit on vacation, which enabled me to sit on the beach, watch the kids enjoy the waves and weave. What bliss!

My adventures with tapestry on the rigid heddle loom gained so much interest on social media, that I developed a course to show others how to do it! The course includes all the basic tapestry techniques you need to know, plus how to use all of these techniques to weave a finished project. If that sounds interesting to you, the course is available here.

Another way to get started in tapestry without breaking the budget, is with a more affordable tapestry loom. Depending on your budget, you could opt for something like the Schacht Tapestry Loom, or even just an el cheapo like a Melissa and Doug simple frame loom. Some people choose to make their own by building a simple frame or repurposing a wooden picture frame or similar. Just be aware that the more tension the loom holds, the better it is for tapestry and if you go down the cheap route, well, you tend to get what you pay for.

A resource that I found to be great when starting out with tapestry, and still use for inspiration, is Kirsten Glasbrook’s book, The Art of Tapestry Weaving.

Aside from tapestry, are there other ways to make pictures with your loom. Oh, yes indeed!

If I haven’t already gushed about krokbragd on this blog enough times, here I go again! If you’re interested in going down my blog rabbit hole on this topic, start with this post. Krokbragd is a weft based, most of the time but not always 3 shaft, weft faced weave. You repeat the same order of treadling over and over, but can vary your yarn colour combinations to produce simple and complex shapes and images. It is seriously cool, and that is why I’m always gushing about it.

Many of the shapes are open to interpretation, as they can be slightly non specific, but there is really so much to explore. One of my goals for this year is to weave a striking krokbragd wall hanging using my floor loom. Can’t wait for that one! Debby Greenlaw has written a terrific book, Krokbragd: How to Design and Weave.

I have a number of Youtube lessons on krokbragd using my rigid heddle loom, but if it’s new to you, start with the above video.

Boundweave is another weft faced weave that is very adaptable and versatile. It can be woven on 4 or more shafts (so it’s possible on a rigid heddle loom). The picture possibilities are endless. I have been playing around with bound weave on rose path threading and 6 shafts recently on my floor loom.

I’m using Nancy Arthur Hoskins’ Weft Faced Pattern Weaves book for guidance. My goodness, what an extensive book – so much to learn! This was my first attempt and I’ve now branched out with some more random designs, which is all very interesting. Slow, but interesting.

There is a lot more to be said about making pictures on your loom, but I hope this post has inspired you with some of the possibilities. Have you tried any of these techniques? Which is your favourite? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

I’ve been keeping a secret…

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Things are about to change in a big way in our household. It’s all very exciting and scary. Let me give you some background information to explain!

The past year has been just little too crazy. Running my business, homeschooling the kids, driving hours every week to get kids to lessons, activities and jobs, trying to ensure that everyone stays healthy with nutritious food, meeting the mental, physical and spiritual needs of 4 young people, maintaining a happy marriage, nurturing my faith and pretending that my house doesn’t look like a disaster zone are just some of the things I’ve been trying to juggle. More often than not, those juggling balls have been dropped.

So often people ask me how I “do it all” and I always reply that I don’t! I can’t – no one can. I have a family who I also consider my team. We work together to get things done, and still there is more than we can handle.

I’ll admit that I’ve been really stressed this past year and that my old, unwelcome “friend”, anxiety has been popping up more often than I care to mention.

On top of all this has been the problem of my husband’s back injury. Without going into too much detail out of respect for him and for the organisations he has worked for, he sustained an injury at work almost 15 years ago. He has a collapsed and oozing disc in his lower back. He has continued to work in his job to support us, but it has become increasingly difficult to do so. In recent years, it has become a bit of a jumble of specialist’s appointments, employer negotiations, daily pain medications, more doctor’s appointments and more referrals. The specialists want to avoid surgery, as it would mean full fusion, a 12 month recovery period, and no guarantee of success.

It has always been a dream of mine that my husband and I could work on a business together. I have been given the gift of being self employed and not having to rely on a job for income, and I wanted that for him too. We had planned to wait and hope that my business income would grow to such an extent that it would replace his work income. We’re not there yet. But it has become unfeasible for him to continue working when he is in constant and often severe pain.

That brings me to our decision! He is coming home. He will remain on casual status at his current job, but he is only obligated to work one shift a month. All of the things that I’ve talked about have been the catalyst for the change, and we feel that God is leading us in this direction, in fact, we feel that there is no other choice to make at this time. It’s not how I hoped or planned, but life rarely is that way.

So, what does this all mean for us?

It means that we can now be a real team. That I can get help with all of the things I need help with. That we will be working together for the benefit of our family. Reduced stress. More time to work on making the business bigger and better. More time to work on our neglected home and fix those things that have needed fixing for I don’t know how long! Particularly for my husband, who has worked so hard for so long, more time to spend fishing, which is his lifetime passion. Yes, it’s going to be a big financial change and challenge, but I think the benefits will outweigh the negatives. And I’m really excited about the possibilities that it will open up for my weaving school.

My husband is pretty camera shy, but who knows, maybe you will see a little more of him in my videos from now on.

Once again, I am so grateful to all of you wonderful people out there who choose to support me and my family by purchasing classes, memberships and patterns and watching my Youtube channel. Without you none of this is possible.

Onward and upward!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Rigid Heddle Loom vs Table Loom: Which is Best for Beginners?

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If you’re trying to decide between a rigid heddle loom and a table loom, you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions I’m asked most often by new weavers, and with so many looms available, it’s easy to feel unsure about which one is the right choice.

The good news is that there isn’t a “wrong” answer. Both rigid heddle and table looms are wonderful weaving tools, but they’re designed with different goals in mind. The best loom for you will depend on your budget, the types of projects you want to weave, and whether you’re looking for a simple introduction to weaving or you’re ready to explore more complex weave structures.

Having woven on both types of looms for many years and taught thousands of students around the world, I can honestly say that each has its own strengths. In fact, I started my own weaving journey on a rigid heddle loom before later moving on to a table loom and eventually floor looms. Every step has taught me something valuable.

Rigid Heddle Loom vs Table Loom

In this article, I’ll compare the rigid heddle loom vs table loom, share the pros and cons of each, and help you decide which loom is the best fit for your weaving journey. Whether you’re buying your very first loom or thinking about upgrading, my hope is that you’ll finish this guide feeling confident in your decision.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work and helping me continue to create free weaving tutorials and resources.

Before You Buy Your First Loom

If possible, my number one recommendation is to try weaving on a loom before you buy one. I know that isn’t always practical, but if you have a friend who weaves, a local weaving guild nearby, or a weaving retailer that offers demonstrations, it’s well worth taking the opportunity.

Spending even a short amount of time at a loom can tell you a lot about whether it feels comfortable and enjoyable to use.

When I was choosing my first loom, I kept coming back to three simple questions:

  • How much does it cost?
  • How easy is it to learn?
  • What do experienced weavers recommend?

Like many beginners, I wasn’t ready to make a huge financial investment in a hobby I’d never tried before. I wanted a loom that was affordable, straightforward to use and highly recommended by people who already had experience.

After plenty of research and chatting with other weavers, I chose the Ashford 24-inch Rigid Heddle Loom, and this turned out to be an excellent decision.

💡 If you’re still deciding, you may also find my First Loom Buyer’s Guide helpful, where I compare several popular loom types and explain who each one is best suited to.

Compared to a table loom, I could purchase both the loom and the stand for a fraction of the price. That meant I could start weaving without spending a small fortune, while still investing in a quality loom that I knew would last.

Looking back, I think it was the perfect first loom for me. As a complete beginner, the simple design wasn’t intimidating, and I could focus on learning the fundamentals of weaving rather than feeling overwhelmed by a more complex setup. It gave me the confidence to start creating beautiful projects right from the beginning, and that positive experience is one of the reasons I still recommend rigid heddle looms to so many new weavers today.

Another reason I chose a rigid heddle loom was its simplicity. I was a complete beginner. I could tell just by looking that it was less intimidating than a table loom. It was important to find a loom that would allow me to learn the basics. But without feeling overwhelmed by lots of moving parts and extra setup.

I also reached out to friends in the crafting community who already owned rigid heddle looms. Their positive experiences and recommendations gave me the confidence to take the plunge, and I’m so glad they did. Looking back, I don’t think I could have chosen a better loom to begin my weaving journey.

Of course, every weaver has different goals, and what suited me may not be the perfect choice for everyone. That’s why it’s helpful to understand the strengths and limitations of each loom before making your decision.

So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a rigid heddle loom based on my own experience after many years of weaving and teaching others how to weave:

Rigid Heddle Loom Pros

After many years of weaving on a rigid heddle loom and teaching thousands of students, these are the advantages that stand out to me the most.

Lightweight and Portable

One of the biggest advantages of a rigid heddle loom is how easy it is to move around. It’s lightweight enough to carry from room to room, take to workshops or weaving groups, or even pack for a holiday. If you don’t have a dedicated craft room, this flexibility is a huge bonus.

Beginner-Friendly

A rigid heddle loom is one of the easiest weaving looms to learn on. Like any new skill, it takes a little practice to become confident, but with good instruction, enthusiasm and regular weaving, you’ll be creating beautiful projects sooner than you might think.

Quick to Warp and Start Weaving

One of the reasons I still enjoy weaving on a rigid heddle loom is that it’s very quick to direct warp and set up. Compared to multi-shaft looms, warping is straightforward, so you can spend less time preparing your loom and more time actually weaving.

More Versatile Than You Might Think

Although a rigid heddle loom is technically a two-shaft loom, don’t let that fool you. There is so much more you can do than plain weave.

By using pickup sticks, heddle rods, second or third heddles and other simple techniques, you can weave a surprising variety of textured fabrics and even reproduce many three and four-shaft patterns.

If you’d like to explore these possibilities, I have dedicated resources that show you exactly how to:

Many weavers are amazed at just how capable a rigid heddle loom can be once they move beyond the basics.

Very Little Loom Waste

Nobody likes wasting yarn! One thing I really appreciate about rigid heddle looms is that they produce very little loom waste compared to many other types of looms, allowing you to make the most of your warp.

Comfortable to Weave On

I find a rigid heddle loom very comfortable to use. Whether it’s sitting on a stand or resting on a table, I can weave for long periods without feeling awkward or strained. I do recommend purchasing a stand if you can, which allows you to get very close to your loom, providing superior comfort.

An Affordable Way to Start Weaving

For many beginners, cost is an important consideration. A rigid heddle loom is one of the most affordable ways to begin weaving while still investing in a quality loom that can grow with your skills. Even after adding accessories over time, it’s still an excellent value and can provide years of enjoyment.

Lojan Flex Rigid Heddle Loom (50cm)

Rigid Heddle Loom Cons

While I’m a huge fan of rigid heddle looms, no loom is perfect. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you decide if it’s the right loom for you.

More Advanced Weaving Requires Extra Setup

One of the biggest strengths of a rigid heddle loom is also one of its limitations. You can absolutely weave far more than plain weave by using pickup sticks, heddle rods, multiple heddles and other techniques. However, these methods require extra setup, research and learning, and a little more planning.

If intricate multi-shaft patterns are your main interest, a table loom is designed to make that process more efficient. With a rigid heddle loom, you’ll simply spend a little more time and introducing more tools for setting things up.

Limited Reed Sizes

Rigid heddle reeds are available in several sizes, but they don’t cover the same range as reeds for multi-shaft looms. For example, the finest standard rigid heddle reed available is currently 15 dpi (dents per inch). Because the reed is made from durable plastic set into a wooden frame, there are practical limits to how fine it can be manufactured.

For many weavers this won’t matter at all, but if your goal is to weave very fine fabrics with fine threads, it’s something worth considering.

Fine Yarns Can Be More Challenging

Although you can weave with fine yarns on a rigid heddle loom, achieving consistently firm warp tension can be more difficult than on a table or floor loom. Personally, I find that rigid heddle looms really shine when working with medium-weight or thicker yarns.

Weaving Width Matters

Before buying any loom, think about the kinds of projects you hope to make in the future.

If you’re mainly interested in scarves, tea towels, table runners and smaller homewares, a narrower loom may be all you ever need. But if you dream of weaving wide shawls, blankets, ponchos or fabric for sewing garments, it’s worth considering a wider loom from the beginning.

Many weavers (myself included!) discover they enjoy weaving so much that they soon want to make larger projects. Buying the widest loom your budget and available space comfortably allow can sometimes save you from wanting to upgrade quite so quickly.

The widest rigid heddle loom currently on the market is 48″ (120cm) and while this is a generous weaving width, some weavers report difficulty in the ergonomics. Working on a rigid heddle loom of this width, having to reach to pass the shuttle and then beat with a large heddle or reed can cause neck, shoulder and back issues for some weavers.

Accessories Can Add Up

One of the reasons rigid heddle looms are so popular is that they’re an affordable way to begin weaving. However, as your skills grow, you may find yourself adding extra reeds, pickup sticks, heddle rods, additional heddles, shuttles and other accessories.

None of these purchases are essential when you’re starting out, and you can build your collection gradually over time. Even with these extras, a rigid heddle loom remains one of the most economical ways to enjoy weaving.

Why Upgrade from a Rigid Heddle Loom to a Table Loom?

A question I often hear is:

“If a rigid heddle loom can do so much, why would anyone buy a table loom?”

It’s a fair question!

For me, the answer was simple – I was ready to take the next step in my weaving journey without making the bigger investment of buying a floor loom.

I’ll admit it… after a few years of happily weaving on my rigid heddle loom, I developed a serious case of loom envy! Everywhere I looked, I saw gorgeous multi-shaft projects and intricate 4 to 8 shaft patterns, and I couldn’t help thinking, “I want to weave that!”

If you’re completely content weaving on your rigid heddle loom forever, I’m genuinely happy for you. I still own and weave on three rigid heddle looms! My interest in a table loom was not about replacing my rigid heddle loom – it was about expanding my weaving journey.

But I was ready for a new challenge. I wanted to learn more about weave structures, experiment with complex patterns, and weave on a loom that was purpose-built for multi-shaft weaving.

That’s when I bought my first table loom: the Ashford 8-Shaft Table Loom (32″).

It turned out to be the perfect stepping stone between my rigid heddle loom and, eventually, my floor looms. I learned so much during that stage of my weaving journey, and I still think a table loom is an excellent choice for weavers who are ready to expand their skills.

So, with that in mind, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of weaving on a table loom.

Lojan Flex Shaft Loom (mine is set up for 4 shafts currently)

Table Loom Pros

If you’re ready to explore multi-shaft weaving, a table loom offers a wonderful balance between capability and affordability. Here are the things I appreciate most about weaving on a table loom.

A Great Introduction to Multi-Shaft Weaving

For many weavers, a table loom is the natural next step after a rigid heddle loom. It allows you to explore more complex weave structures without the cost or space requirements of a floor loom.

If you’ve been wanting to experiment with twills, overshot and other multi-shaft patterns, a table loom opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities.

Designed for Complex Patterns

One of the biggest advantages of a table loom is that all of the shafts are already built into the loom. Once you’ve dressed the loom- warped, threaded, sleyed and tied on, you can simply enjoy weaving without needing to add pickup sticks, extra heddles or other modifications to create different weave structures.

Although dressing a table loom takes more time initially, the weaving itself is often more efficient, especially for intricate patterns.

Excellent for Boat Shuttles

Table looms generally produce a generous, clean shed, making them well suited to weaving with boat shuttles. This allows the shuttle to glide smoothly through the warp and makes weaving both enjoyable and efficient.

Compact for Storage

Although table looms are taller than rigid heddle looms, most models are built for portability and have a folding castle. This makes them much easier to store or transport when they’re not in use, especially if space is limited.

Comfortable and Stable to Weave On

One thing I really like about a table loom is that it sits securely on a sturdy table, bench or stand. Once it’s in position, it feels solid and stable while weaving, making it a pleasure to use for longer projects.

Greater pattern possibilities

If you love studying weave structures and experimenting with drafts from weaving books or magazines, a table loom makes that process much more straightforward. Instead of adapting patterns to suit your loom, you can simply thread the shafts and weave the draft as it was designed.

The Floor Loom Experience

A table loom is a great introduction to floor loom weaving, if that is a goal of yours. Although you operate the shafts with levers rather than treadles, if your table loom is set up on a stand, it can feel quite similar to weaving on a floor loom as an immersive experience.

No Treadle Limitations

With many floor looms, you are limited to a certain number of treadles. You can opt for a skeleton tie up or use a treadle reducer to help with this, but with a table loom you don’t have this limitation. Your shaft combinations are not limited by being tied to a treadle or treadles, so you have even more patterning possibilities due to the ease of increased shaft combinations.

Table Loom Cons

As much as I enjoy weaving on a table loom, there are a few things worth considering before deciding if it’s the right loom for you.

You’ll Need a Sturdy Table or Stand

Unlike a rigid heddle loom on a stand, a table loom needs a solid, stable surface to sit on. A sturdy table or bench is important to prevent movement while weaving, especially on larger looms. I haven’t always used stands for my table looms, but when I got my Lojan Flex Shaft Loom I also purchased a floorstand and it has been a game changer!

They’re Less Portable

Although table looms are more compact than floor looms, they’re still considerably heavier and usually larger than rigid heddle looms. Depending on the size you choose, you may need another person to help move it safely.

If portability is important to you – for example, if you like taking your loom to workshops or weaving in different rooms, a rigid heddle loom could be the easier option.

Finding a Comfortable Weaving Position

Some weavers prefer to stand while weaving on a table loom, while others sit. Personally, I’m definitely in the “sit down” camp! My back injury will not allow me to stand for regular periods.

For the most comfortable experience, I recommend using a sturdy, height adjustable chair so you can find a good working position. Because everyone’s height and setup are different, it may take a little experimenting to discover what works best for you.

Dressing the Loom Takes Time

There’s no getting around it. Threading and dressing a table loom is more time consuming than dressing a rigid heddle loom.

Warping, threading the heddles, sleying the reed and tying on all require patience and attention to detail. The good news is that once everything is set up, weaving can be wonderfully efficient, particularly for complex patterns.

Limited Flexibility During a Project

Once your warp has been threaded through the heddles, those heddles remain in place for the duration of the project. Unlike a rigid heddle loom, where it’s relatively easy to introduce pickup techniques or heddle rods as you weave, making major changes to your threading on a table loom isn’t practical once you’ve started.

Smaller Shed on Some Looms

Depending on the table loom you’re using, the shed (the opening created between the warp threads) can sometimes be smaller than you’d like. This may make passing the shuttle through the warp a little slower, particularly when weaving wider projects or using bulkier yarns.

Advancing the Warp

On larger table looms, you may need to stand up to advance the warp as you weave. It’s only a minor interruption, but it’s worth knowing if you enjoy long, uninterrupted weaving sessions from a seated position.

Reading through that list, it might seem as though table looms have quite a few drawbacks! In reality, I simply wanted to give you an honest picture of what to expect. Every type of loom has its strengths and its limitations, and understanding those before you buy can help you make a choice you’ll be happy with for years to come.

Personally, I think table looms are fantastic. Buying my first table loom was one of the biggest turning points in my weaving journey. It challenged me to learn new skills, introduced me to the fascinating world of multi-shaft weaving, and gave me the confidence to tackle more intricate weave structures and patterns.

For me, a table loom was the perfect stepping stone between my rigid heddle loom and my first floor loom. That said, I never saw it as a replacement for my rigid heddle loom. Even today, I enjoy weaving on both because each one offers something different, and each has its own place in my studio.

If you’re trying to decide between a rigid heddle loom and a table loom, I hope this comparison has helped you see that there isn’t a “best” loom – only the loom that’s best for you, your budget, your interests and the kinds of projects you want to create.

Rigid Heddle Loom vs Table Loom: At a Glance

If you…Choose…
Are completely new to weaving✅ Rigid heddle loom
Want the quickest setup✅ Rigid heddle loom
Have a limited budget✅ Rigid heddle loom
Want to travel easily with your loom✅ Rigid heddle loom or smaller table loom
Love complex weave structures✅ Table loom
Already know you’ll want 4–8 shaft patterns✅ Table loom
Want a stepping stone to a floor loom✅ Table loom

The Looms I Personally Own and Use

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to weave on many different looms, but these are the rigid heddle and table looms you’ll regularly see me using in my tutorials, courses and YouTube videos. I genuinely enjoy weaving on all of them because each one has its own strengths.

My Rigid Heddle Looms

My Table Looms

I am a reseller for Lojan Wheels and Looms and also Louet in Australia. If you are in Australia and would like information on any Lojan or Louet products, please reach out 😊

In the USA I am an affiliate for, and recommend Revolution Fibers for Lojan and Louet products.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also want to watch the companion video:

Ready to Learn More?

I hope this comparison has helped you feel more confident about choosing the right loom for your weaving journey. Whether you’re leaning towards a rigid heddle loom or a table loom, you’re embarking on a wonderfully creative craft that can bring years of enjoyment.

If you’d like to continue your research, here are a few resources you might find helpful:

Ready to Start Weaving?

If you’ve decided that a rigid heddle loom is the right choice for you, my best selling From Woe to Go! Beginner Rigid Heddle Weaving course will guide you through every step, from setting up your loom to confidently weaving beautiful projects. It’s designed specifically for beginners and has helped thousands of new weavers get started with confidence.

If you’re excited to explore table loom weaving, my comprehensive Weaving on a Table Loom course will teach you everything you need to know, whether you’re setting up your first project or ready to develop your multi-shaft weaving skills.

Whichever loom you choose, I wish you every success on your weaving journey.

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Table loom options

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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!

What is a table loom?

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A table loom enables multi shaft weaving without the space or financial investment that a floor loom requires.

*This post contains affiliate links.

A table loom usually comes with four or more shafts. Four and eight shaft looms are the most common, but they can have more. Ashford, for example, manufacture a 16 shaft table loom!

Ashford 16 shaft table loom. Image from Ashford website.

Table looms are often favoured for their portability and affordability. They make a great loom to take along to workshops, or anywhere you want to take a multi shaft loom. Some will come with a handy carry bag and many will fold down to be even more space efficient. They are also often used for sampling, as you can test out your yarns or pattern before committing it to the floor loom.

Table looms come in a variety of sizes, meaning that if you only require one for sampling or you have a very small space to fit the loom, you could choose a 16 inch or lower weaving width. This size would also be suitable if you only wanted to weave narrower pieces like scarves.

The mode of operation for weaving on a table loom differs to other looms and makes it instantly recognisable. The shafts, rather than being operated by raising or lowering a heddle/reed (as in rigid heddle weaving) or being foot controlled (such as treadling on a floor loom) are raised by the manoeuvring of levers that sit at the front of the castle (the upright part of the loom) and are tied to the shafts underneath. These levers are very simple to operate and as lever 1 corresponds with shaft 1 and so on, it is visually simple – you are actually looking at the levers right in front of you, making it difficult to mix up and get the pattern wrong.

Table looms are also adaptable. In the last paragraph I explained that the levers are hand operated, however if you want more of a floor loom experience, you can purchase a stand along with treadles. The treadles are tied to the shafts in place of the levers, allowing you to lift the shafts by depressing treadles with your feet.

Some looms can be purchased as a four shaft and upgraded to an eight shaft later on. This is a terrific option for those who:

  1. Wish to start out on four shafts only OR
  2. Don’t wish to make the financial commitment of an eight shaft loom right away.

To weave on a table loom, you will need a few things apart from the tools that come standard with the loom:

*A table space to keep the loom on whilst weaving (unless you also purchase a stand, which is available separately). If weaving at a table, some weavers choose to stand. My back is no good for standing so I like to use an adjustable height office chair that I find comfortable.

*A warping board. A table loom is warped indirectly, so you make your warp on the board and transfer it to the loom.

*A raddle kit. This is necessary for spacing your warp before taking it to the loom. You can buy the raddle kit that fits your size of loom. Some weavers choose to make their own.

You can see a short overview of the Ashford 8 shaft, 32″ table loom here-

And you can see a demonstration of me using the loom here-

I have some exciting news regarding table looms too! I recently purchased the Ashford 16″ 8 shaft table loom to use for teaching. My husband and I made a two part video that shows you how to assemble it.

But that is not all! My primary purpose for buying this new loom is because I have had so many requests for a table loom class and I am happy to say that I’ve put together a very comprehensive class, Weaving on a Table Loom.

I hope this post has been useful to you, let me know in the comments if you have any questions or simply want to leave me a comment.

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Which weight of yarn do I choose?

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For newer weavers, yarn choice has to be one of the biggest conundrums. We are totally spoilt for choice when it comes to variety of yarns available these days, but there are some important aspects to consider before you start shopping.

I often recommend that newer weavers start out by using knitting yarns. There are a couple of reasons for this.

  • Knitting yarn is readily available.
  • It is usually economical.
  • Many new weavers have a knitting background and therefore will often have a healthy stash of yarn!
  • Knitting yarn often has a nice amount of elasticity and are therefore quite forgiving to work with.
  • And finally, it’s usually thicker than weaving yarn, so for first projects it is an excellent choice – it will make your warping and weaving faster and easier.

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

When you purchase a weaving specific yarn online or in a shop, the recommended sett for that yarn will often be provided. Not so with knitting yarns, which tend to come with knitting needle or crochet hook recommendations instead. But, this is no problem to the savvy weaver who knows how to figure out the sett for her/himself! All you need is your chosen yarn and an inch ruler.

If you’re not familiar with the concept of sett in weaving, I explain it in this video:

And if you need an easy demonstration of how to figure out the sett for your chosen yarn, I recommend this video:

The demonstration in this video refers to balanced plain weave, the twill equation is a little different.

The next consideration after you have figured out the ideal sett is what you’re actually weaving. A scarf, for example may require a different approach to a table runner or placemat, even if you’re using the same yarn.

Let me give an example:

Say I have a light worsted weight (Australian 8 ply, DK) cotton that is lovely and soft. Say that I’ve done my wrap test to determine the sett and it showed me that my 7.5 heddle/reed is the best option. I go ahead with this sett because I want a soft and slightly flow-ey scarf.

I like the yarn so much that I decide to also use it for a table runner. But I want my table runner to have a firmer feel, so that it stays put on the table and is somewhat solid. Given my experience with weaving the scarf at a sett of 7.5, I decide that I’m going to use my 10 dent heddle/reed for the runner, as it will ensure that my warp and weft interlacement is closer than it was with the scarf, giving me a firmer fabric.

Here is a little tip when selecting a yarn for a woven piece you intend to wear eg. a scarf. Hold the yarn to your cheek and lightly rub back and forth. If the yarn feels scratchy or unpleasant to your skin, it will not be suitable to wear. If the shopkeeper and patrons are knitters, crocheters or weavers, they will understand what you’re doing. If not, you may get some odd stares!!

There is another, basic test you can perform if you’re unsure of yarn to heddle/reed suitability.

That is to grab your yarn and thread a single of it through a slot. If the yarn doesn’t fit through the slot, it is too thick. If it doesn’t fit, but you have to encourage it to get through, it is likely too thick. If you rub the yarn up and down in the heddle/reed and it seems a bit squashed, it is likely too thick.

Remember that your yarn has to deal with that friction for the entirety of your project, so if there is too much friction you increase the likelihood of broken warp threads and a less than comfortable weaving experience.

Likewise, if you thread your yarn through a slot and there is a heap of space leftover and your yarn seems very loose in the slot, it may not be the right heddle/reed for your project. Unless of course you are trying to achieve an open and airy fabric!

So, what if you don’t have a heddle/reed that is the equivalent sett for your yarn?

This can happen when using a finer yarn. The finest heddle/reed currently available for a rigid heddle loom is a 15 dent. But the recommended sett for my yarn is 30. Well, you can simply double your ends to achieve the right sett.

Then you have the choice for the weft, if using the same weight of yarn as warp, whether you double the weft as well or not. And this choice comes back once again to the purpose of the project and the type of fabric desired. Which brings me to sampling.

I used to think that sampling was a big waste of time. I’m not sure at what point I became a sampling convert, but it was probably somewhere in the throws of another project that did not turn out as anticipated.

Sampling is an absolutely failsafe method to guarantee the success of your project. It allows you to try the yarn at a particular sett, in particular colours, experiment with weft density, take the project off and wet finish. So, you get a mini glimpse of what your actual project will look like. It’s a very valuable education tool!

There is a lot to cover when it comes to the topic of yarns and this post really only scratches the surface.

If you found this post interesting and want to delve further into choosing yarns and understanding all the numbers, I have an online class that could be just the ticket. This is a short and sweet class that includes PDF charts for selecting the correct heddle/reed for your project and converting yarn terms for different countries.

You can purchase the class by following this link.

I have some other yarn related resources that will be helpful too.

The Weaver’s Toolkit is an ebooklet that includes all kinds of useful charts and information that are invaluable to the weaver.

I also have an “All about Yarn” playlist on Youtube, which includes 11 free videos:

I hope this post has been helpful to you, and as always, comments and questions are welcome.

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Colour and Weave Basics for Beginners: Plain Weave Patterns That Pop

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Recently I was talking about patterns for the rigid heddle beginner (you can read that post here if you missed it). I briefly mentioned Colour and Weave as an additional technique to jazz up your weaving, but decided that it would need to have it’s own discussion, as it is so versatile and varied.

Firstly, what is colour and weave?

Well, it’s very simple. It’s the introduction of colour, usually in a set sequence, first in the warp and then also in the weft. When you begin weaving, that is when the magic happens!

The prearranged colours cross paths and have a party on your loom 🥳

Plaid, which I discussed recently is a type of colour and weave, as you have set colours in set amounts in the warp and then cross with the same colours and amounts in the weft. Take a look at this post if you want to see some examples of plaids I made on my weaving software.

*This post contains some affiliate links. For further information please see my disclosure policy.

Candy Store Scarf

When the warp and weft colours cross over each other, they can produce some very interesting effects. You can use colour and weave in all kinds of weave structures, but it works great for plain weave and is perfect for the newer weaver. You are still weaving your familiar plain weave, but it can look very different! My Candy Store Scarf is the perfect example of this.

Colour and weave is wonderful for the rigid heddle weaver as it is such a simple “next step” once you have practiced plain weave and are looking for a new and interesting challenge.

Log Cabin

Some of the most famous and popular examples of colour and weave are Log Cabin and Houndstooth. These are often considered a “next step” for weavers venturing out from limited colour plain weave.

Although you can use multiple colours for both of these weaves, it can be a good idea to limit the colours to two that contrast well, otherwise the beauty of the crossing colours can become a bit lost.

Houndstooth colour arrangement is very simple, whereas log cabin is a little more complicated and warping can take quite some time. So, if you are a newer weaver, definitely have a go at houndstooth before attempting log cabin.

Houndstooth

Jane Patrick’s “The Weaver’s Idea Book” is a great resource for getting started with this technique. She has a section on weaving a colour and weave sampler and it includes many examples or suggestions for colour arrangements.

If you’re interested in exploring colour and weave, you have come to the right place! Here is a list of resources I have that can help.

Log Cabin Table Runner Class

Log Cabin Rable Runner PDF

Houndstooth Placemats Class

Candy Store Scarf PDF

The Town Bag PDF

The Weekend Scarf PDF

Pinwheels

Finally, I want to mention the applications of colour and weave beyond 2 shafts. Pinwheels are an easily recognisable example of this and can be woven on 4 or 8 shafts. Even though there are more shafts, the initial warp colour setup, then weaving colour sequence is still an essential aspect. My Pinwheels Table Topper class shows you how to set up your rigid heddle loom to weave this beautiful 4 shaft pattern.

When you get into 4 shafts and beyond, you can play around with your colour placement in the warp and weft in order to highlight certain areas of pattern. When I wove some bread towels for myself, I included a contrasting strip of red in the warp.

This is really not a colour and weave because I had already threaded the loom with the intended pattern – the pattern didn’t appear strictly because of my colour placement.

But I still think it’s worth mentioning to highlight how patterns can appear or at least become more prominent when selective colour arrangement is used. If I had planned this piece better, I would have ensured in the design process that the strip of red was going to be wide enough for one full repeat of the pattern – you can see part of the pattern has been cut off.

Another example from a 4 shaft project for the floor loom or table loom weavers is the Bright and Beautiful Towels.

This project uses a twill weave structure but strategically uses colour in the warp and weft so that they meed at specific points of the pattern AND so that they weave squares. This twill pattern is beautiful to begin with, but playing with the colour arrangement makes it truly unique and eye catching.

I think it’s a wonder that so many fascinating patterns can appear just by the meeting of colour!

I hope you enjoyed this post, and please leave any thoughts of questions you may have in the comments below – I would love to hear from you!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

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