I have also just recently (my first time!) lost my cross when preparing to put a narrow warp on my table loom. I managed to put the warp on the back beam using the raddle and placing sley sticks and thought I had straightened out the threads. After threading the heddles and sleying the reed I was able to weave a small portion of the warp without too much difficulty I did discovered that the threads were still crossed in places, becoming tangled and not advancing. Since I have only woven a small amount of the cloth, I'm thinking it would be easier to cut off what I have woven and rebeam the back beam(I'm warping back to front). Can I do this if I leave the the warp threaded and thru the reed? It is a hand painted warp and I'd had to lose it. Thanks! Diane
Follow up to my last call for help. I did read the previous posts and wish I had followed your suggestion Jane to put tape across the threads on the back beam once I had placed them. Unfortunately it doesn't solve the problem of once section of my warp threads being shorter that the others. It seems the only way I can correct this is to cut off what I have woven and rebeam again.???
Hi Diane- I have lost crosses multiple times. Do not cut the warp off only as a last resort.
Do you still have your raddle groupings cross intact?
If so pull your warp back to the front and straightened out the crossed threads at the back. This can be time consuming but do whatever it takes to save your warp.
If you’re able to put your raddle cross in you’ll still have an idea of the threading order.
Also, you mentioned this is a narrow warp.
If you have the patience ( and I’ve had to do this) you can put a lease cross back in over- under-over - under one thread at a time you’ll have to turn your table loom to the back facing you to make it easier.
After that’s all back wind your warp as usual.
It may take a day or even 2 days but I e been through this before and people will say to cut it off but it CAN be saved - with patience.
I always put two crosses in now for this very issue.
All the best and happy weaving. 🙂
PS. If you have a weaving sword it’ll speed things up .