Hi =) I am working my way through the videos and am so grateful these are available. I have 2 questions:
1) How can I convert a pattern written for a rigid heddle loom to a 4-shaft floor loom ( I have a Harrisville Designs 4-shaft/6 treadle loom). Is there a tutorial or video on how to read it for the RH and then make your own 4-shaft threading and tie-up pattern from it?
2) If a pattern calls for 3/2 cotton but all I have is 8/2 cotton - even holding it double won't quite be the same thickness. What is a good rule of thumb to follow when converting yarn thickness/grist when it doesn't divide evenly?
I'll say I am pretty much a brand new weaver. I did take a weaving course in college many years ago, but the looms were all dressed for us and the focus was on weaving technique and patterns. I don't remember much beyond that so I am thankful to have found this series of videos to walk me through!
No there isn't a video where Jane explains conversion specifically from the Rigid Heddle to a 4 shaft loom. Have you had a chance to watch all of Season 1 yet? So much information in that Season could help you understand the loom you are planning to use.
What structure are you planning to use - Plain Weave or .....? Also, what are you planning to weave? The weight of your yarn depends on what use you have in mind for the final project. Keep me posted.
Hi Sandra - thanks for the quick reply. I have watched all of Season 1 and am in Season 2. I have gone back to Season 1 to review as I prepare my project. I want to make kitchen towels and while I understand the process Jane shows in the videos I'm looking for a pattern for 8/2 cotton kitchen towels that spells out the pattern for a beginner. I don't know anyone that weaves so I don't have anyone to ask. The questions I asked were based on patterns I liked, but used a different loom than I have or different yarn and I know adjustments can be made for both - I'm just not sure how yet, but I'll get there! =) The 3/2 cotton pattern is based on a twill style weave.
Hi Lisa - Gist yarn has an blog article about this very subject. https://www.gistyarn.com/blogs/how-to-weave/how-to-convert-a-rigid-heddle-patterns-for-a-4-shaft-or-2-shaft-loom. Hope this helps.
Thanks! I did find that one as well - just trying to understand it! LOL!
Hi Lisa,
Could you describe the draft of the towel that you hope to recreate?
I know zip about RH and was going to recommend that Gist site as well. They have converted a number of their patterns from RH to shafted loom.
As for thread conversion, what is the EPI in 3/2 that your draft states?
8/2will be 18-24 epi as recommended in Jane's master sett chart as well as in handwoven.
softer to firmer. You'll have to add threads to your draft unless you want a much narrower towel.
For ex: 3/2 at 15 epi for 10" width you would need 150 epi. if you threaded 150 ends in 8/2 cotton 20 epi you would have a 7.5" width on the loom. If you wanted a 10" wide 8/2 cotton towel, you need 200 end.
Drawing it out on paper and doing some maths really helps. There is a PDF for project planning that is helpful.
Hope this makes sense.