220 Ends

Day 41: The first step in setting up a piece of weaving is to measure out the warp threads. A common way this is done is by using a warping board such as the one shown here. By winding the threads around some pegs and skipping others, almost any measurement can be achieved up to the capacity of the board. This model will hold threads up to 14 yards in length. 220 ends make up this 15-foot warp. It will be sleyed at 12 dents to the inch. The fibers are cotton and the end result will be four hand towels in a simple tabby weave (over-and-under) with red cross-stripes near each of the fringed ends.

The most labour-intensive part of weaving is in the next step: sleying the loom. Each thread end must be drawn through a heddle with a hook, carefully keeping the order in which they were wound on the warping board. Then it's just a matter of sitting down and throwing a shuttle back and forth, beating the thread in place after each throw. The shuttle is propelled back and forth, back and forth through each shed as the weaver rhythmically raises and lowers the harnesses with the treadles. The clatter of a loom in operation is almost hypnotic, and listening to it is a very pleasant way to spend those rainy winter days.