There’s a certain magic to point threading — one simple sequence that can create stunning, symmetrical patterns. From bold diamonds to intricate designs, it’s like opening a treasure chest of possibilities, especially when you have sixteen shafts to play with! Happy weaving! Kate A weaving draft where the threading rises to a peak and then […]
No, not the 90s pop song—sett is a weaving term that’s all about how close together your threads are. If you’re just getting started with weaving, understanding sett will help you make fabric that feels just right—whether you want something soft and flowy or strong and sturdy. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it […]
“Huck” the shortened version of Huckaback refers to a loom controlled weave structure that is made up of groups of threads that can produce plain weave, warp floats or weft floats. Which when woven, the small float blocks alternate with plain weave blocks creating beautiful lacy looking fabrics. The groups have odd numbers of warp threads […]
The Jack Loom shows its versatility by weaving very delicate yarns into a soft, beautiful fabric. My journey with “Jack” (my Ashford Jack loom) has been a busy one. Recently, I wanted to sample some very fine, delicate cashmere silk yarn from my stash of precious yarns. I was curious how Jack would weave up […]
I’m constantly amazed by the endless possibilities you can create from a single threading on a table loom. What I love most is the freedom it offers—you’re not locked into using the same pattern for an entire warp. If you’re not feeling it, simply switch it up! Since we recently upgraded all our folding table […]
Agnes Hauptli is an award-winning member of the Professional Weavers Network of New Zealand. Agnes loves her 16 shaft Ashford table loom and with these four colour double weave placemats, she really shows its capabilities!Happy weaving! You need a 16 shaft loom especially if you like more complex designs. If you like patterns with curves […]
Andrew, an enthusiastic weaver, creates eight different tea towels on a Jack Loom using the same warp. These beautiful, lush teatowels (in Ashford 5/2 cotton) featured in The Wheel magazine, Issue 30. This is a great way to try out some variations on the same threading. Happy weaving! By Andrew McCracken, Springwood, NSW, Australia Without apology, […]
When our current folding table loom was designed in the late 1990’s, Richard sought advice from weavers around the world to ensure we incorporated the most important features requested by weavers. The features requested were the overhung beater and the ability to fold and be portable. The compromise for having those two features was to […]
The Ashford 16 Shaft loom – Twill – featured in Handwoven Fall 2024 This threading can also be woven as a tumbling blocks pattern. I have included both drafts below. Happy weaving! You will need:Loom: 16 shaft table loomReed: 12dpi reed Warp: Ashford Cottolin 8/2, 801 Bleached whiteWeft: Ashford Cottolin 8/2, 846 Dazzling blue, 844 Scuba […]
By Robyn Spady. ‘As seen in Heddlecraft, issue #42, shared with permission. Robyn Spady was introduced to handweaving as a baby with her handwoven baby blanket woven by her great-grandmother. Inspired by her blankie, she learned to weave at a young age and has been weaving for over 50 years. Robyn is fascinated by the […]
If you haven’t tried waffle weave yet – you will be amazed at the magic that happens when you take it off the loom and wash it. Stefan Moberg wove these beautiful cotton towels that featured in Issue 33 of The Wheel magazine. These were woven on the Jack loom and the draft is a […]
Introducing the Brooklyn Four Shaft Loom! We are super excited to announce the launch of our latest multi-shaft table loom – the Brooklyn Four Shaft Loom! This loom has been designed to be an economic stepping-stone for rigid heddle weavers and all other new weavers who are ready to expand their weaving skills and explore […]
The long story of a long warp. One warp one wardrobe was an idea that I came up with to challenge myself and my loom. If you know me, you probably know that sometimes I just “wing it” rather than working out the full plan before I start something – the ideas sometimes evolve as […]
Maria’s Tote Bag featured in Issue 34 of The Wheel magazine. Click here to download the full PDF instructions including sewing pattern.
David’s plaid sweater featured in Issue 34 of The Wheel magazine. Click here to download weaving draft PDF.
What does it all mean??? A lot of weaving publications show weaving drafts as “tie-ups” meant for floor looms – so how you do you use these when you have a table loom and you need a “lift -plan”? This article By Robyn Spady explains exactly how to translate a “tie-up” draft – a floor loom draft – to […]
One of the wonderful things about weaving on a table loom is the ability to change your pattern simply by changing the sequence in which you lift the levers. Here is some of the many variations you can weave on a straight 8 threading (meaning your heddles are threaded 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, […]
Another month has slipped by in the blink of an eye, as we head into winter here in New Zealand I am looking forward to spending cosy evenings in my studio catching up on my projects on the “to do” list. That list also includes “finishing” a few projects I have had off the loom […]
I hope you are well, safe and able to spend some quality time creating on your looms during these strange times. This week I would like to share Jack of Hearts – my nickname for the draft I put on my Jack loom when we made the promotional YouTube video for the Ashford Jack Loom. It has proven to be a very popular draft and I have […]
This project is a simple Echo weave scarf woven on a Katie loom using Ashford Tekapo 3 Ply yarn. What is Echo weave? Echo weave is not a weave structure but a method of threading on two (or more) parallel lines which when combined with alternating colours gives a very interesting effect. Using this same method/theory for designing drafts you can […]
“Undulating (adjective) – having a smoothly rising and falling form or outline”. In a woven twill form it is a beautiful pattern that can be accentuated by colour. This hand spun, hand dyed scarf is a great project to show off the undulating twill pattern. As with all twill weave structures the weft will have less interlacements than plain weave, […]
Thick and thin will surprise you – it is a wonderful weave structure to create original fabric designs. It is simple to warp and weave and the resulting fabric has a wonderful texture. The fabric for this cute little jacket was woven using DK weight Ashford Tekapo and a hand dyed laceweight yarn with accents on the collar and cuffs […]
