7/11/2023 0 Comments Inkle loomPrice wise, most inkle looms are cheaper than most rigid heddle looms. While many people prefer band weaving on an inkle loom, I have also come across who prefer using a rigid heddle loom for that purpose. However, they're also a specialized tool - they're good at weaving bands, but that's pretty much all they do, so if you only intend to weave the occaisonal band a more general purpose rigid heddle loom or using backstrap techniques may suit your needs better. Inkle looms are fantastic simple tools for weaving bands, and they're generally cheaper and smaller than small rigid heddle looms (excepting the larger floor standing models!). General Pros and Cons of Inkle Looms vs Rigid Heddle Looms # Little Looms Magazine, which has many rigid heddle projects, also typically includes some inkle projects with each issue. It's also possible to make tubular structures on an inkle loom. Bands can be used as is, have hardware added like a belt buckle, used as edging, trim, or straps on other weaving or sewing projects, or can be joined together or to a backing fabric to make larger items, like this pouch from the Ashford blog. ![]() Inkle looms make narrow warp faced bands from shoe laces to a wide belt. To advance the warp, inkle weavers loosen the tension peg and pull on the warp, and then re-tighten the tension. Inkle weavers typically use a small stick shuttle with a beveled edge for the weft, sometimes referred to as a belt shuttle, and use the shuttle to beat the weft in firmly, however, some prefer to use a separate tool known as a band knife. For example, the Ashford Inkle Loom can do warps of between 1.3-2.8 meters (51-110"). The length of the warp is dictated by the exact path between the pegs - a given loom will have a maximum and minimum length, and some options in between. Color changes are knotted together at the beginning of the warp, and yarns pass through a string heddle or not as it's being warped. Inkle looms are warped in a circular pattern, and there's no separate step to measure the warp. There's also a style of "box loom" or "tape loom" that is a precursor to modern rigid heddle style looms which were designed for weaving bands with an unsupported rigid heddle, and there are some treadle looms designed for band weaving, such as the Swedish Band Loom. Band weaving can also be done using backstrap techniques, or held between any two points like a bow loom. While band weaving is ancient, the current style of inkle loom, while simple, is a relatively modern innovation dating to perhaps the 18th or 19th century, with the smaller table top versions being newer. The term "inkle" dates back to the 1500s and refers to any ribbon or tape. Inkle looms are relatively straightforward to make with some woodworking experience and tools I have also seen designs made out of PVC pipes. ![]() Leclerc Cendrel - a large floor Inkle loom and warping boardĪmong major weaving manufacturers, Ashford, Schacht, and Leclerc make inkle looms, and there are also many made by smaller woodworkers selling on places like Etsy or at local fiber events, some with elaborate designs on the frame or a wider selection of sizes. When choosing a loom, remember that the finished length will be shorter than the warp due to take up and loom waste. They can be fairly small, like the Ashford Inklette, which can weave up to 2" wide and 70" warp (just under 6'), or they can be quite large and rest on the floor, like the Leclerc Cendrel, which can weave up to 6" wide and 16 feet long, and is also designed for use as a warping board for other looms but most are in between. Rigid heddles for band weaving are more often made of wood and sometimes include extra holes or different sizes of slots to make certain patterning easier, and they're usually smaller and lighter than the ones on rigid heddle looms. A lot of interesting patterns can come out of simply the color choices of the warp, but even more elaborate patterns can be made using pick up or tablet weaving. They can also be used for other styles of band weaving, such as with a small rigid heddle or cards for tablet weaving. The "default" for inkle looms is to set up string heddles, with half the yarns in a heddle and half not. One peg is moveable to adjust tension, and the shed is created by the weaver pushing the warp up and down with their hand.Īshford Inklette - a small tabletop Inkle loom They consist of pegs sticking out of a frame and are usually made of wood usually they have a frame on one side, but some designs provide additional support by having a removable 2nd side to the frame. Inkle looms are designed for weaving warp faced bands - think belts, guitar straps, dog leashes, and trim for other pieces.
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