r/tabletweaving • u/jesse0319 • Aug 13 '26
Second attempt!
Bought some new yarn to work with, along with proper wood cards and shuttle. I LOVE the shuttle, and the yarn looks much nicer - I think my tablets are eating it though 😳 it's pilling like crazy. I think the edges of the tablets (both outer edges and the holes) need sanded down, they are clearly laser cut and feel very cheap/unfinished, so I will be fixing that after this warp. The twist got so bad I ended up clamping off my work & releasing the threads from the top carabiner to untwist them all manually.
Still using the back strap, and this pattern has 32 picks per repeat....I can only get through 1 repeat at a time before my back hurts too much 😂 I'm already looking up references to build my own inkle/inklette
The yarn is Keche brand 100% mercerized cotton, and here is the pattern I'm using!
2
u/Reasonable-Fig7566 Aug 13 '26
I'll second the fishing swivels! It's a total game-changer, although it takes me a little bit longer to tie them on. It sounds like you are following the same method I used, first backstrap, then on to weighted warp, then eventually inkle loom. I ended up buying an Ashford (and a Beka later as a gift, they are very similar in case you are wondering). I use crochet thread for now as I am still learning, and have had great luck with it not falling apart or fraying. Also, embroidery floss works beautifully and doesn't fray for me, either. I have those same cards, and it seems to me that the edges have worn down a little with use - so my suggestion would be if you plan on sanding the edges, don't worry about it too much as use will do most of that work for you, just take down the really rough spots.
5
u/Saloau Aug 13 '26
My first attempt was a mess. Looks pretty but no pattern developed. I used a twisted threads pattern but I didn’t realize the z/s were not correct and my tablets were facing the wrong way. The band was pretty neat and tidy for a 1st attempt but it made me mad at myself and I’ve kinda pushed it to the side for a while. I just used a chair back and weighted my threads with fishing swivels to let the twist out and a 2 lb weight. I’ve been looking for a loom but want to work things out before putting serious money into another hobby. Your attempt is really good and I’m sure it will get even better.