MORE ON SLEYING THE REED

COUNT HEDDLES AND ENDS

As I said earlier, I am sleying four warp ends per dent. I count out these four ends two ways. First, I count the number of heddles. I do that always but in the case of very fine yarns it is really much easier to count heddles than warp ends. Second, I do count the warp ends themselves.

DOUBLE CHECKING

After I have sleyed eight dents I first look at the dents to make sure that I have not skipped any. Then I pick up each group of four ends and count them, separating them with my fingers if I have to. Separating fine yarns is easier with longish fingernails. When I am satisfied, I tie these groups of eight in a slip knot.

HALF-INCH OR LESS GROUPS

Why eight dents? Eight dents with four threads each adds up to 32 ends. I am warping at 72 ends per inch. To get a group of ends that would equal one-half inch, I would have to tie nine dents of four threads in a group. It is easier in the next step, however, if I have an even number of dents. With this fine warp i absolutely do not want groups of more than one-half inch. So I have opted for eight dents with 32 ends.

KEEP FRONT BEAM OFF

I still have not put the front beam back on. Keep it off makes it easier for me to do the sleying. I will put it back on when I am done.

Related Post: Sleying the Reed

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