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Rectangle Looms
from Hideaway Homestead
1. Modular Rectangle Looms 2. Plans for Making Your Own Rectangle Loom 3. Roger's Weavingboard (economy starter multiple length rectangle loom) |
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| About Rectangle Weaving -
Continuous Yarn Method Also called Continuous Strand Weaving, Continuous Loop Weaving. The good news is that there are only 2 basic ways you can do this type of weaving on a rectangle - The popular left-return method promoted by some fiber studios for their looms, and the right-return method that I use on all my rectangle looms and 2-square and longer Weavingboards. What are the differences you ask? My method uses a rectangle one pin longer than the left-return method. You can see why; in the left return style, the yarn would turn 180 degrees to the left around the far corner pin, or counter clockwise on an even-squared rectangle. This uses one less pin to get a 'perfect final weaving path' than my right return method, which has the yarn turning around the far corner pin to the right, or clockwise on an even squared rectangle. This uses one more pin just to return to the starting corner. Using either method works out on my looms, having an extra pin or two at the end is not a problem. The weaving evens out when taken off the loom. So one difference is the length of the 'perfect' rectangle, but it is not critical when using one of my looms. I will soon be listing for sale 100% adjustable rectangle looms that can be set at any width or length setting. Then the user can have an ideal setting for each of these methods or any other that might be invented. The other difference is the way you have to twist the loop after weaving out of a square with the left-return method, or a glitch will result. . My right-return method doesn't require you to watch for this. When changing yarn or colors, this is done the same way with both methods, at the left or starting end of the loom where the yarn ends can become part of a fringe. |
1. Modular Rectangle Looms. I make a 7' and an 8' rectangle loom with 1/4" spacing.
Hideaway Homestead Modular Rectangle Looms can be used to weave
squares or short
rectangles or long rectangles when the extensions are attached.
The exact length is adjusted by moving the modular end rail. The width is
determined by the modular end rail that you use. For
instance, I have been making the 1/4 inch spacing loom with three width choices,
10", 15", & 20". Other widths can be ordered.
The 7' modular rectangle loom makes lengths up to 80 inches long. The 8'
modular rectangle loom makes length up to 93 inches long. The modular
design allows shipping and storage in a 4' box. I use oak wood and
stainless steel brad nails for pins.
| For continuous yarn weaving, the length of the rectangle is an approximate multiple of the width. On my modular rectangle looms, the settings are marked for the possible rectangle lengths for each width. These color-coded settings are designed to be 'perfect' for continuous yarn weaving on a rectangle loom. This is a system I developed that results in the ideal 'final weaving path' for that last single strand of yarn you weave when completing the weaving. There will be an open path for the yarn and an empty pin for the yarn to turn on at every zig-zag you make with that final single strand. You can see where I have made yarn color changes here on the left end of the rectangle. |
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| There are also color-coded marks on the loom rails to show you where to make the turns on the first yarn pass for each weaving width. I call these marked pins Turning Points. With the marked rectangle corners and the marked turning points, you don't have to count pins or try to figure out some formula, you just have to weave. In the photo, the first yarn was turned around the pin with the colored mark. A different color is used for each width setting. |
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The chart below
shows the possible rectangles on the 1/4 inch spacing, 7' loom with 10, 15, & 20
inch widths. There are 14 rectangles and 3 squares
possible for continuous yarn weaving with the 7' loom.
*marks the rectangles that require the extensions be installed
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80 pin/20 inch width: 1 square plus 3 rectangles up to approximately 80 inches long. The 8' loom does not increase the length of a 20" wide rectangle.
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60 pin/15 inch width: 1 square plus 4 rectangles up to approximately 75 inches long. 8' loom adds one square not shown, making the rectangle approx. 90" long.
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40 pin/10 inch width: 1 square plus 7 rectangles up to approximately 80 inches long 8' loom adds one square not shown, making the rectangle approx. 90" long.
The loom is also useful for simpler warp and weft weaving. In that method of weaving, any width to length ratio is used.
| Warp and Weft weaving instructions are included with
the Continuous Strand Rectangle Scarf Loom weaving instructions that come
with a loom..
Even a beginner can make straight edges using a pin frame loom. You
can set the length of the rectangle at any length and width for this type of
weaving. You can use a shuttle and shed sticks as shown in photo.
Tapestry weaving instructions would apply to this type of weaving, except
you can loop each weft around a side pin to keep the sides even. The
weft is not packed tightly like tapestry weaving. Loom
in photo is a prototype with wider 3/8" spacing.
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I have the completed looms for sale on Etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/hideawayhomestead Inquiries can be made to
rogerslooms@msn.com
Each loom comes with set up instructions and instructions on how to continuous
yarn weave on a rectangle loom.
Weaving done on the HH Modular Rectangle Loom with 1/4" spacing:
Below: A rectangle 20 x 40 was joined with another rectangle 20 x 60 inches to create the large "V" shaped cape.
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Above: A 20" x 80" rectangle woven from Noro yarn was incorporated with a 6' triloom weaving to fashion this hooded cape.
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Plans for making your own rectangle loom. Includes method of pin arrangement that insures 'perfect' continuous yarn weaving. Also includes Hideaway Homestead Rectangle Loom Weaving Instructions, Continuous Yarn Method. 24 pages with charts and color photos. In flat binder. Look in my Etsy shop for this booklet. www.etsy.com/shop/hideawayhomestead |
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Here is a chart from the booklet showing the various widths possible with the 3 pin spacings. |
3. Roger's WeavingboardTM A new product, it allows you to weave a square, various rectangles and a triangle in one board loom. It resembles a cribbage board but is more fun. The 5" x 4 square weavingboard is a good loom from learning the principles of continuous yarn weaving with a rectangle.
The first photo shows the shapes you can weave with the continuous yarn method with a 5 inch x 4 square weavingboard. The second photo shows the 7.5 inch x 6 square weavingboard set up to weave a 5 square rectangle. You don't have to use all the squares that are possible with this loom. I am making a new page for the weavingboard, www.offgridlife.com/weavingboard.
Photos and Designs TM and Copyright © 2009 Hideaway Homestead, All rights reserved.
