Designing for Rigid Heddle and Shaft Looms

It is an interesting task and a learning experience to design projects simultaneously for rigid heddle, four, and eight shaft looms. My design process is rarely linear and I often need to go down a few different paths before I hit what feels right.

My initial idea for the May kits was to explore lace structures on all types of looms so the projects would all have a similar look and feel to them. The four shaft design was fairly straightforward since it is where the idea emerged. The eight shaft design pushed me to take a structure that I have woven many times and finally put the time in to really understand the tie up and treadling and then to adjust it into exactly what I wanted.

I have to admit that I struggle with rigid heddle weaving. I have been weaving on floor looms for so long that the adjustment is not smooth. I think it’s a great option for so many weavers and I am delighted to be on this journey with you, but sometimes it can take a bit longer to get my head around it.

I set up a sample warp so that I could understand pick up lace and how it relates to lace on shaft looms. I wove a few samples using two pick up sticks, then one pick up stick. I changed shuttles to make it easier. And then I realized that these are all places for us to explore, eventually, but not the place to start.

So I took a step back, readjusted, and decided that plain weave with a stripe sequence a better direction to begin with. And I trust that as we get to know each other better and get deeper into our exploration, we will figure out the rest of it.

To see all of the napkins and colors in the reveal click here.

Thanks for trusting me with your weaving journey!