... and here is more information

Different ways to store and transport the loom.      Click on the images to enlarge.
  • Dimensions of the Better Loom

    Front Piece: 8 1/2" W x 2 3/8 " D x 2 1/4 " H     
    Width of handle: 4 ", weaving width: 3 1/4"

    Back Piece: 10 3/4" W x 2 1/2" D x 6" H
    Length of spiral: 9"

    J-bolts come in 2 sizes.
    Standard size: 5" long. Oversize: 7" long.

  • Starting a Threaded-in Design using a Corral
    Click on icons to enlarge
     
    Using a corral makes it easy to
    manage complicated patterns.
    Thread each card and tie
    the ends in an overhand knot.
         		  
    Slide the knotted ends of all cards
    over a knitting needle or pencil to
    hold them in place.
         		  
    Then weave a header to check
    the pattern and to determine the
    proper width of the band.
     

  • Setup and Weights
    Click on icons to enlarge
    Anglo-Saxon band
    Tama, 75g for each card
    Non-stop twist
    Insulators, 50g for each card
    Double-face with 5 thin lines
    Water bottle + 5 film canisters

    The setup in the pictures shows how to handle different types of warp. For the Anglo-Saxon band all cards are turned in the same direction all the time. Because this generates tremendous twist buildup I tied the four threads of each card to a tama and spread the warp as far as possible. Periodicaly I lift up the warp bundles, one at a time, push the twist towards the tama, and let the tama do the untwisting.

    Tama are nice but pricey. There are less expensive alternatives that work just as well. Some are:
    - porcelain electric fence insulator; small ones 50g, larger ones 75g
    - film canisters filled with pennies or marbles (30g here)
    - fishing weights (I have none)
    - washers or similar objects found in each hardware store

    It is rarely necessary to weight each card separately. In the last example the black/white warp is woven in the double-face technique and has no twist buildup. Therefore a simple heavy weight (water bottle) can be used for all cards. A bag of pebbles would work as well. There are five cards with green warp threads are turned in the same direction for the full length of the piece. They are weighted individually using film canisters of 30g.

  • Angles and Books

    There are some easy ways to customize the setup. In case you want to have the cards sit on a firm surface you can slide in a book at the front end. If you want to lift up the warp spreader you can use a book in the back. "The Wilful Persuit of Complexity" teaches you the vacant-hole technique and can physically support your project.

    Click on icons to enlarge
    Since only three holes are threaded for this project, the cards tend to be unstable. Supporting the card packs helps. So do the stitch holders.
    Some people prefer to have the warp at a steeper angle. Raising the back piece with a big book will do just that. You may need the long 7" J-bolts.

  • Extensions and Loom Waste

    If I use bobbins (of any kind) I tie an extension (red thread)
    on each bobbin. This way I can reduce loom waste. In this
    example I only wasted about 3" of the warp.

  • How to spread the warp

    If a portion of the warp is tied up as a big bundle it can be tedious to spread it out. Here comes help in form of a beauty comb.

    Near the cards you push the comb teeth up
    into the warp at an angle.
    You twist the comb to open up to the desired spread, slide it out to the warp spreader.
    Then lift the warp over the warp spreader and
    put it down.

  • How many cards can you weave with on this loom?

    It is not a matter of cards, rather a matter of yarn. The flat part of the handle is 3 1/4 inches wide, the spiral is 9 inches. If you use, let's say 20/2 perle cotton you can use 80 - 100 cards and get a band that is 3.5 inches wide. If you use 3/2 perle cotton you would use approx. 40 cards for the same width. The spring/back beam is not a limiting factor.

    • Contact     Don - betloom (at) gmail.com if you like to buy a loom, a corral, or a shuttle.
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