Getting started with the Rigid-Heddle Study Group

hilltopfibre wrote

on 1 Sep 2010 12:09 PM

I have now had at least some experience with Schacht Flip and Cricket, Ashford RH and Knitter's Looms, Kromski, and LeClerc.  What I've found in using them myself and watching students use them in classes (I've taught about a dozen people thus far) is that looms are somewhat personal objects.  What suits one person doesn't work for another.  For example, I love my little Cricket and find it comfortable to use, but one of my friends had to sell hers because she could not find a way to use it comfortably. Her Cricket now lives with another friend of ours who finds it "okay" for comfort. 

My Flip is the easiest for me to use for 2-heddle work.  The Ashford RH is a little more awkward in 2-heddle mode and has less space in the back for pickup.

Width and length of the loom vs your own "wingspan" also makes a difference.  I am about 5'6", so I manage the 32" Ashford okay even when warped full width and working with a stick shuttle , a somewhat shorter student I had found it awkward even for a narrower warp and a shorter shuttle.  She ended up buying my stand from me, which I found I had no need for.  The stand made all the difference for her because she can move her body as needed now.  Another student found it a long reach to the back ratchet on the Flip, the Ashfords are less deep.

My best advice is to try the loom before you buy if at all possible, or check on return policies.

Joanne Hall wrote

on 1 Sep 2010 1:04 PM

Hi Hilltopfibre,

Perhaps you will soon be able to also try the Emilia and Susanna rigid heddle looms.  They are both very user friendly looms.  Joanne

cjprice wrote

on 1 Sep 2010 4:29 PM

I am very new to weaving (about six months) and I have so much to learn. I hope that i can start here.

Inky Zebra wrote

on 2 Sep 2010 8:39 PM

I am interested in the Rigid Heddle Study Group. I just purchased an 20" Ashford Knitters Loom and am eager to learn all that I can!

Delores

cauicino wrote

on 10 Sep 2010 12:37 PM

Joanne,

I did a lot of research and finally decided to get an Emilia RH loom.  It arrived yesterday and I just couldn't wait to start.  But now I have the first warp on and find the heddle handle won't stay in the lower position.  It just slips right out.  Can you suggest what might be wrong?

Thanks,

Christine

geeksdoitbetter wrote

on 10 Sep 2010 12:56 PM

on my ashford, that happens when i don't have the warp wound tightly enough

usually, a turn or two on the cloth beam gets everything better

Joanne Hall wrote

on 10 Sep 2010 1:04 PM

Hi Christine,

If you leave the bottom of the heddle slanted towards the front, it can slip forward.  So, when you put the heddle in the lower position, be sure that the heddle is vertical.  And you can also tip the bottom a little to the back.  That should solve your problem.  Joanne

ivalene wrote

on 23 Sep 2010 5:18 PM

I love  McKinney's Weaving with Three Rigid Heddles.  His method offers sooo much potential, so many possibilities!  His work  deserves to be  better known.

Ivalene

In beautiful Kentucky

geeksdoitbetter wrote

on 13 Oct 2010 7:39 AM

hooray for you!

clasped weft is awesome

i've got a 4.5 yard warp on my 32" ashford right now

there are grand plans to use clasped weft for the whole length

we'll see if my leftover bits of yarn hold out ~grin~

http://curiousweaver.id.au/archives/107

bharabal wrote

on 24 Jun 2011 3:58 PM

Is this group still open? I just bought my first rigid heddle loom and was hoping to find a beginners group.

Schutzie wrote

on 29 Jun 2011 10:47 AM

Thank you, Mariellen!  Fabulous advice.  I, too, am new to rigid heddle weaving and have the same issues with beat and edges.  I have woven in the past (in high school-more years ago than I like to think about).  It would be lovely to have a group who is just learning the vernacular of weaving and the very basics.  Sometimes I find myself a little bit intimidated but what I don't know.  That being said, I love the process of weaving and the meditative quality of the work.   I am going to start weaving a little everyday.  It will be good for the soul and won't hurt my technique any either!  :)

Schutzie wrote

on 29 Jun 2011 11:56 AM

To Bharabal:  I just found this group too and didn't realize the posts were so old.  :(   I too am a beginner and would like to find a group of beginners and a few mentors, too. 

ivalene wrote

on 2 Jul 2011 2:04 PM

There is a Rigid Heddle yahoo group that is quite active. Contact the moderator at rhlooms-owner@yahoogroups.com I hope you can join us.

Ivy in Beautiful Kentucky

mjfweaver wrote

on 4 Aug 2011 11:01 AM

I tried to locate this group reference, but couldn't find it...any help  you can give? Thanks!