The loops at the selvedge were becoming less frequent. But they were still there. So I added a new trick. Before I throw a shot (well, actually, before I hand a pirn through the shed), I decided to pull that weft yarn a bit to make sure it was tight there. Two things happened after that. First, the loops have disappeared. Second, when I pull on a weft yarn I sometimes see a loop that I am pulling out.
So I am now pretty much using three "tricks" to get the weft thread laid in correctly.
- First, I clear the shed down at the fell. I have to do this on only two of the six treadles.
- Then I have to pull the weft yarn away from the selvedge before I hand that pirn through the shed from one hand to the other.
- Then I have to loop the weft yarn coming through the shed over a finger of the receiving end with just a bit of tension, and then beat the shed while i let the weft slide over that finger.
None of this is habit right now, so weaving is taking intense concentration, simply from a technical point of view. I have, I think, five yards of warp on. Will all this have become a habit by the end?!!!!
© 2008
3 comments:
This is what handweaving is about in practice, isn't it? Watching what you are doing, attending to the detail.
However, when I think about it, my neighbour who worked in a weaving mill on industrial production was employed to mind a loom - so the industrial process is also about concentrating on the weaving and watching what is happening in case of anything going wrong, so that you can put it right.
I guess even machines can't be trusted always to get it right!
I wish I could picture this. Sounds like very good problem solving.
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