inkle loom
I have a borrowed inkle loom, and just finished my first little weaving project:
I’ve wanted to try inkle weaving for years and years, but never thought it would be worth buying a loom — after all, how many straps and bands and belts and tapes does one need, and that’s all you can produce on a inkle loom. So I was so delighted when our Dehesa EF, Carol, said her mom (a weaver) would lend me her inkle loom! I figured out how to make heddles and warp it, and went to town. And now I have a nice green tape that should make a great drawstring for a summer skirt. Now I’m itching to warp it again and make something else. Anyone need a strap? ;-)
Also, Henry asked me to shave off all his hair so he’d be more streamlined at Kung Fu. No more hair flopping in his eyes, and he doesn’t get quite so hot when he’s in his sparring helmet. He looks a lot different, but still as handsome as ever.
Category: Blog, Handmade 9 comments »
March 20th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
He’s awesome in all configurations!
March 20th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Ohh there was a piece on WeaveZine where they made a little pouch out of an inkle loom woven band. Now that I look at it, there seem to be a couple of projects that go beyond just bands and tapes.
http://www.weavezine.com/fall2008/wz_fa08_EricadeRuiter.php
http://www.weavezine.com/fall2008/wz_fa08_KazMadigan.php
Well here’s the whole search page…
http://www.weavezine.com/search/node/inkle
March 21st, 2009 at 8:28 am
Welcome to the world of inkle weaving. When I was 17 my dad helped me build my first inkle loom and I have been weaving ever since (30+ years). By now I must have woven miles and miles of bands, straps, etc.and constantly find new things to try. Different yarns, color combinations, patterns. There are many things one can weave in plain weave and an infinite number of possibilities if you use some of the pickup techniques. Looks to me like your son could use a really cool guitar strap!
For a small sample of the things I have done, look at ASpinnerWeaver.blogspot.com
Happy Inkling!
Annie
March 21st, 2009 at 9:18 am
I think so too, Kathy :)
Thanks for the links, Kri! That’s a great resource, and I’ve already started imagining some new projects.
Annie, you’re so right. I’m on my second little project (photo soon) and I’m already pricing inkle looms! The Ashford Inklette is tiny but so affordable, and its portability appeals to me. The Schacht loom that you link to is not much more money and would be more versatile, and having the tension bar in the front is clever… Hmm… Well, my birthday is still a few months away so I have time to decide. :)
I’m weaving a choker for my son now (his request), and then a guitar strap would be a great third project! Your site is wonderful. Thanks for the inspiration!
March 21st, 2009 at 11:16 am
I currently own 8 inkle looms. 3 are Schacht and are my favorite- easy to use and just the right size for me. Also, I recently bought the Ashford Inklette. A little more awkward to use because it is small and everything is so close together, but it fits in a tote bag and is so easy to carry along. I am working on a list of 101 uses for an inkle band and I really ought to post it on the blog when I finish. So often people ask, “But what can you do with them when you are finished weaving?”
March 21st, 2009 at 11:18 am
Good to know. Do post that list, and let me know when it’s up!
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:38 pm
As a new inkle weaver, I have a question about how to seal off bookmarks using anti frey glue. After cutting them off my Inklet, what is the procedure? Apply glue along last weft line and then cut the thread? Do you have secrets to make them perfect? They are so pretty but I want to finish them well. Thanks so much for your help.
May 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Hi Barbara, I’m still a total newbie — go to http://aspinnerweaver.blogspot.com/ and ask Annie :) Cool idea about the anti-fray stuff. Never thought of that!
September 17th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Barbara, no glue needed. Leave about 6 inches or so of the weft at the end of your weaving and thread it onto a blunt end tapestry needle. Put the needle through the tunnel of the previous row and go all the way through to the other side. Snug it up and go through the tunnel of the next row back. Trim off whatever weft is left. If you are cutting for bookmarks just pull out some of the weft and thread it on the tapestry needle as above. The weaving will not come out with this technique and you don’t have glue showing.