Basic Weaving

Day 47: I had forgotten how quickly weaving proceeds when using a floor loom as compared with a table loom where the raising and lowering of the harnesses is done with the hands as opposed to the feet! By bedtime last night, I had 15 inches done on the first of four 24-inch towels and I scarcely felt like I'd spent any time weaving at all. When using treadles, the beating of the threads can be accomplished simultaneously with the change of shed. The rhythm is very relaxing, and the clatter of the loom is a sound like no other, a pleasant and light rattle of metal heddles and merry clack of wood on wood. It is easy to lose track of time when engaged in this pursuit.

This is basic two-shed weaving. Heddle harnesses one and three are raised alternately with harnesses two and four, creating a simple over-and-under weave. Other patterns are possible with this threading if different treadles are depressed, the most recognizable being a basic twill, treadled 1-4, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4. We'll save pattern weaving for the next warp!