Chicken Soup Warping Method

Day 45: Warping a loom is a process best done with an assistant. However, if you don't have one handy and are anxious to get started on a project, there is a simple work-around which, although time consuming, is quite effective. The number of cans you will need varies with the width of your warp, but the weights should be identical and from 12-16 ounces. There are several ways you can set them up. Here, I used duct tape, putting a loop at the mid-point to hold the warp bundles.

The warp is sectioned off and a can is suspended from each section, barely above floor level. When the full width is weighted, the weaver then winds the threads onto the back beam (or front, if you load the loom in the opposite manner) until the cans are directly below the breast beam but not touching it. The knots are undone and the cans are again attached just above floor level, allowing the weaver to wind approximately two feet of warp between adjustments. Sheets of paper or cardboard should be wound between layers of threads on the warp beam to help keep the tension uniform.

It is important to shake out the threads with each re-tie. Do not comb them with your fingers. Simply shake them and tug on them gently until the tension equalizes and they straighten out to lie in order in front of the leash sticks. Wind slowly and watch for any loose threads. If they appear, untie the cans and readjust. When the warp is fully wound onto the back beam, tie the ends to the front beam and go pour yourself a tall one.

Coming up next: sleying.