4 shaft conversion for a rigid heddle loom string heddle

Showing my 4 shaft conversion on a rigid loom, how I use string heddles and a short explanation on how they work.

[@crunchycountrycatholic]

This is exactly what I needed to see tonight. Thank you so very much!

[@aaronssimplelife8309]

I have very similar ideas in my head. Yay! 4 shaft loom at a fraction of the price.

[@rowanspiritwalker6667]

That's just plain flipping ingenius, and totally makes sense of "how-to". I LOVE your "shaft block" setup - marvelous! Just awesome. Thank you for sharing

[@Handmade_at_Harcles]

That is brilliant! I have been doing something similar on a Dryad upright rug loom, but the business of twisting the string heddles was a lightbulb moment! Thanks!

[@darrenbarlow2972]

Thank you for your comment.

[@zivg1546]

What a genius idea! Thanks for that. It certainly is easier than holding the heddle rods up by hand each time.

[@claredavies6049]

Brilliant hack! Going to have to try this on my loom. Thanks for sharing

[@gemmaluescher-verseckas1243]

Genius idea for the heddle holder.

[@DLowryVA]

The dowel rod rack is genius!

[@kapirk2244]

Just brilliant! If the ridged heddle loom makers were smart they would copy this idea, or buy it from you. I love everything you have done in this video. Have you made a pattern for the heddle block for us wood worker challenged folks?

[@darrenbarlow2972]

Thanks you. I haven't I just do thing straight out of my head then modify them if needed.

[@caddywampus]

I love the heddle holder!

[@kristenmunson7970]

This is BRILLIANT! I CANNOT get over how fantastic this is! Thank you!

[@darrenbarlow2972]

Thanks

[@inesdebres761]

Thank you, Darren! I am in the process of constructing a rigid heddle loom and thought it was a shame I couldn't make my own heddles. Had not thought of just making string ones like I use on my backstrap! Silly me! Love your fringe twister, too!

[@BeckhouseBlackBailey]

Thanks so much, I'm really pleased to see this idea as I'm in the process of considering converting several Table Top Fixed Heddle Looms into 4 Shaft Looms to allow people with disabilities to operate them more easily and effectively.

[@lindabohannon6617]

Thanks for the video. A great idea and looks to make 4shaft weaving so much easier.

[@stretch4960]

Awesome. I am gonna make those for all my heddle looms. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@chrisrobinson8905]

Thank-you Darren! Really really helpful. Great video!

[@x.craftmagick]

Love this! And the holders for sticks 💖

[@NoBootyBeauty]

What a NIFTY idea, love it!!!

[@Thespinningwoman]

Nice job! I’ve been contemplating a similar idea but also adding treadles. I use a floor loom and miss that rhythm when I take my rigid heddle away on holiday (always assuming I ever get to go on holiday again!) - plus I just like tinkering with stuff, to be honest. I really like your string heddles and the ‘twist’ advice - I have only used them on inkle looms before and hadn’t come across the idea to twist them. You are right, it works much better.

[@darrenbarlow2972]

Thank you, glad I could help. I’ve recently purchase a Ashford Jack loom and know what you mean about the treadles.

[@lynnwittet1301]

thank you for sharing, this is a brilliant idea. I would love to see what you make!

[@johannafreeburn3061]

just WONDERFUL, well done and thanks for sharing!

[@terrydickson6468]

This was awesome thanks for sharing

[@AuntieEm294]

Fabulous idea! Thank you.

[@sandiboy66]

You are a brilliant man!

[@erikafirth972]

Fantastic idea - thanks for sharing it :)

[@kathgarvey]

Great instructions thank you for sharing.

[@susancaulton5470]

Ey up Darren can you show me the set up for holding the “shafts” side on so that I can copy? Or a diagram please, this is such a good idea!!

[@darrenbarlow2972]

Sorry for not getting back sooner. I haven't got my RHL anymore, I've up graded to a Ashford jack loom.

[@caroleades5827]

Great job

[@tanyaandelvis2698]

Clever idea 👍🏻

[@darrenbarlow2972]

Thank you

[@kimsharpzook461]

Love it!

[@chrisgergen2171]

Wow...this is brilliant! Have you had success with this? Would love to see what you have made as others have said. I plan on asking my hubby to create this setup, wish me luck! If you have any details you would like to share, I would gratefully welcome!

[@NVeslava]

Благодарю за видео! Google translator коряво переводит, но жесты помогли понять отлично! Google translator clumsily translates, but gestures help to understand Прощу прощения, английский не учила. I'm sorry, I didn’t learn English

[@mamijo3382]

Super this video! but tell me, how did you make your dowel holders?🧐

[@barbararickman8543]

You are using the very same book I am! Great. How did you make your dowel holders? I am currently in the process of putting my guide string in to get the warp to lay flat. How did you do that? I see you have two thru the back and one thru the front.

[@terrydickson6468]

My husband will be helping me 🙏❤️

[@lauraabrams917]

Did you make the shaft holder attached to your loom?

[@darrenbarlow2972]

Yes I cobbled something up.

[@Mimeh53]

Darren, do you remember what diameter of dowel you used for this? Thanks. (This is amazing!)

[@darrenbarlow2972]

12mm sorry for the delay

[@barbararickman8543]

So..how do you begin weaving? I have asked this question of several people on YT but have not got any reply. How do you get the weaving started after the rods are threaded?

[@sweetyeastbuns8122]

I don't know how everyone else starts weaving but I begin with a plain weave for an inch or so to check that everything is threaded and working ok. Lift shafts (rods) 1 and 3 throw a pick ,then shafts 2&4 throw a pick. If the plain weave doesn't have any problems like unplanned warp or weft floats I start whatever weave pattern I fancy trying. I'm working my way through Anne Dixon's Handweavers pattern book ,straight drafts twills and Tabby's,loving it!

[@laceandbits]

I'm sure you've worked it out by now, but when you needed to ask this question you probably weren't experienced enough to be worrying about 4 shaft weaving. There are loads of more basic YT videos that cover starting off.

[@ingridrehbein3134]

Ver mas videos ...

[@marycleland993]

Genius wow. Thank you for sharing 😊