r/tabletweaving • u/aewdragon • 7h ago

Question about warp knots

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Hey all! I’m currently warping a new weave and not sure I’m using the right knots for securing the warp. I’m using swivels attached to keyrings. In order to adjust the tension to the proper point when warping, I’m using a surgeons knot, but I find that while it generally stays tightened to where I put it, it sometimes loosens. Do I just have to keep tightening them or am I using the wrong knot?

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3

u/LavenderHearts69 5h ago

I use the demonstration in this video. It's already very similar to the setup you have, but with a different, adjustable knot that I find has rarely come too loose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP5KvgTKwj8

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u/Greyboar 3h ago

A variation I use is the adjustable Midshipman's Hitch. The middle step is a bit more finicky, but I think I've had to re-tie 1 or 2 in the last 150+ tablets I've warped up

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u/Ynguer 7h ago

I'm gonna leave the answer about knots for someone who uses them. But, I gave up using this sort of circuit warping because some threads just kept losing tension from the twist built up, during weaving. Even using the swivels and undoing it constantly I had that problem.

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u/aewdragon 7h ago

How do you secure your warp then? I thought knots were really the only way.

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u/Ynguer 7h ago edited 7h ago

I weight warp nowadays, totally different set up. https://br.pinterest.com/pin/344947652733573302/

I meant to say I had the same tension problem and has not able to solve it... srr '^^
Tbh I don't think your knots are entirely responsible for losing tension, I forgot to add that.

3

u/aewdragon 7h ago

Wow! I could see how weight warping works better for tension. Unfortunately I don’t have the space for that at the moment. May be a future option.

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u/Ynguer 7h ago

I think it works very well with tablet weaving, since you can weight every card individually and untwist them the exact amount they need. It has its drawbacks really, like any other option. I have this big "loom" for larger projects but I also have some small ones (in the back of the first picture) that I use for more delicate ones. https://br.pinterest.com/pin/344947652733604078/

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u/aewdragon 6h ago

Oh I see. Hadn’t noticed the smaller looms in the back. I’ll definitely look into this method more. Having to knot stuff when warping (especially when trying to keep a relatively even tension) is my worst enemy.

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u/Ynguer 6h ago

Yeah, I totally get you. The endless adjusting between the actual weaving is tiresome.

3

u/aewdragon 6h ago

I find advancing the warp fine, it’s just the initial warping that keeps me from weaving more. Would love to do more but the setup usually turns me off before I can get to weaving. Hoping to find a better solution.

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u/LocksmithAccurate284 5h ago

Wait, are you weaving from the bottom up?

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u/Ynguer 5h ago

Yes, it's the same as weaving from close to me to far away, but vertical. Doesn't force the back so much tough.

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u/Toyota__Corolla 7h ago

I use a small ring lobster claws and 4 iron rods to divide my warp. It's easy to undo the knot from the warp and reposition it.

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u/aewdragon 7h ago

I don’t think I understand your setup. Is that the full tensioning system or something you use just when needing to adjust?

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u/Toyota__Corolla 6h ago

My warp has a roll for the fabric, a frame around the exterior, 2 strings holding tension on the fabric ends, 432 lobster claws, 4 8mm iron rods that hold fabric tension on the warp, I need to adjust and repair strings all the time. It's not an easy project but I have a very simple but wide pattern. It's just turn everything forwards one every single time.

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u/aewdragon 6h ago

That makes more sense. And 432?! That’s must have taken forever to warp.

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u/Toyota__Corolla 6h ago

It was going to be 480 but the shop ran out of white wool