Part 3 – The Inkle Loom

You will learn the inkle loom's primary function.  Be able to identify the different areas of the inkle loom and their part in the weaving process.  Since we are using the Heritage inkle loom for our demonstrations, you will learn all the special features unique to this loom.  When you have completed this part you will be able to make sound judgments in the selection of an inkle loom.  One that just fits you and will perform the tasks you will ask of it.

The Inkle Loom

 There have been many personal mentions of this timeless wonder.  For some it has become a personal part of their life. While others have looked at it as a perfect business partner.  This inkle loom can make family heirlooms that will be cherished for generations, or produce signature pieces that pay the bills.  For whatever it's purpose, the inkle loom must hold up to it's part without sacrifice.

The inkle looms sole purpose in life is to hold your work in progress.  Painters will have their easel, you will have your inkle loom.  As you work the magic, the inkle loom will hold your work.  Just like holding an egg, firm as not to drop, yet gentle as not to harm.  For it is you, the weaver, that makes it all happen.  The weave, the colors, the designs, it is you who will inspire the creation.  All you need the loom to do is “hold this”.

This may sound a little to simple, yet there is no other way to describe the function of the inkle loom.  The inkle loom will do this simple task and it will do it in style.

Times have changed but the inkle loom still is an inkle loom.  Except for the Heritage, she grew up. (feminist back off) To fully understand the inkle loom you have to break down it's simple function, look at each part and understand it's job.

There are three areas of the basic inkle loom and each has a specific purpose.

1 - shed area, the business area of the loom
2 - storage area, (warp and inkle band storage) similar to the warp and cloth beams on looms
3 - tension area, (weft tensioner) similar to ratchets and brakes on looms

The shed area is made using 4 pegs.  These 4 pegs are identified in the picture above. These 4 pegs are required to create the sheds for weaving, both the up shed and the down shed.  This is where the weavers perform their magic.  This is the business end of the inkle loom.

The tensioner is used to apply just enough pressure to the weft to keep it in place while the weaver is setting, beating in the weft.  The warp should not move while this is being done.  No extra tension is to be applied beyond this amount.  If you apply too much pressure all that will happen is bent pegs and distorted or broken weft.

On the peg tensioner type system, as the weft length decreases, also known as take up, so does the shed area.  On the Heritage this shed area is not effected.  The Heritage is using the paddle tensioner due to it's greater mechanical advantage and keeping the adjustment away from the shed area.  This will help keep the shed area constant, affording a more pleasurable weaving experience.

Coarse Adjustment Pegs Four Positions 

The paddle tensioner may have less adjustment and may not handle large weft length losses, but the Heritage has a coarse adjustment peg that will adjust to handle any such problem.  The Heritage is the only inkle loom with the coarse tension adjustment so it can utilize the mechanical advantage of the paddle tension adjuster. 

The Heritage  also has a breast peg support which helps eliminate breast peg bending under excessive warp tension.

One of the most outstanding features the Heritage has is the shed lock.  As a beginner or a master weaver, this feature has added a new dimension to the ease in which to weave.  Being able to have the inkle loom hold in place the up shed or the down shed will aid in the weaving process.

Since the Heritage comes with two shuttles you can perform the basic one shuttle weave and the two shuttle weave.  This also allows you to use two different wefts for more creative inkle weaves.

There are four large footpads that help keep the loom from moving while weaving on a flat surface.  These pads also help prevent scratching of table surfaces.

The Heritage is using an offset design for the base.  This makes it more stable and helps eliminate tip over.

As you can see, the inkle loom is simple in design yet has many features that will assist the weavers efforts.

There are two things any inkle loom does not care for, water and heat.  Most all inkle looms are made of wood.  Soft woods, hard woods, both will be damaged if exposed to high temperatures or moisture.  And always loosen the tensioner when not weaving.

Key Terms You Should Know

• breast peg - peg closest to the weaver, part of the tension and shed
• breast peg support – device used to support the floating end of the breast peg preventing bending
• coarse tensioner - allowing adjustment on large take up
• down shed - the shed created by moving the open warp down
• paddle tensioner - tension adjuster offering mechanical advantage
• peg tensioner - aka course tensioner
• setting - beating the weft
• shed area - area where weaving takes place
• shed lock - a system of locking the up sheds and down sheds
• shuttle - device for carrying the weft while weaving, doubles as the beater
• take up - the shortening of the warp due to the weaving process
• tensioner - device used to adjust the tension on the warp
• up shed - the shed created by moving the open warp up
• warp take up - the shortening of the warp due to the weaving process
  

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This page was last modified on Saturday, February 11, 2012 11:49:28 PM