Backstrap Rigid Heddle Basics: Start Weaving Handspun Bands

Plain weave bands are super easy to learn to warp and weave and in this tutorial, Spin Off editor Kate Larson will show you how to get started. This type of traditional bandweaving is just so much fun and it only takes a little time, a small amount of yarn, and a few tools to get started. Find all our videos at learn.longthreadmedia.com/.
The rigid heddles and shuttles shown throughout the video were all made by Robin Goatey, the maker behind TheDancingGoats thedancinggoats.etsy.com/. Thanks to Robin and TheDancingGoats for being our video sponsor.
Learn More About TheDancingGoats:
TheDancingGoats makes historic and prehistoric reproductions, and re-imaginings of fiber arts tools. Focusing on the prehistoric textile traditions of the Northern Roman Provinces, the Northern Isles, and Western Europe. Shuttles, heddles, looms, spindles, and whorls. Tools are made in wood, stone, pewter, copper alloys, ceramics, and glass. The company’s advanced CNC Laser is dedicated to making fiber arts tools and folklore inspired creations. TheDancingGoats business model is Inspired by Albrecht Durer’s life, journals, and his Nuremberg School. Learning, teaching and practicing the Heritage Arts since 1987. Learn more at thedancinggoats.etsy.com/.
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0:00 Introduction
1:22 Tools and Materials
4:20 Warping
6:54 Threading the Rigid Heddle
9:52 Setup and Weaving

[@penelope8980]

Okay, I visited the Dancing Goats and I'm ready to weave! Thank you for the instructions.

[@LongThreadMedia]

Enjoy and we'd love to hear how it goes!

[@suruha2306]

I made a backstrap loom when I was a new mommy, about 50 years ago. The heddle was popcycle sticks with holes drilled into them, as well as spaces between them for the threads. I carved the dowel ends and sanded everything nicely. It is similar to the one Kimberly Hamill shows on her website. I still have it. The first thing I made? A backstrap, of course! LOL

[@WilliamVanDeWater]

apparently the Romans used these (not necessarily with backstraps but we don't know how they exactly did it, we just have the rigid heddles) so reenactment purposes is my main interest in these, real fascinating stuff

[@LongThreadMedia]

These tools are pretty unique and amazing, and even more amazing to see them in action today. Thanks for the note!

[@danielledegeorge2129]

Yea! I'm here because I just bought from the Dancing Goats and wanted a refresher course! Thank you!

[@LongThreadMedia]

Welcome!! We hope you enjoyed the refresher video.

[@karodear]

This was perfect, excellent, exactly what I needed. I am planning to weave a belt for a traditional costume here in Norway, and I have never used this kind of loom before. I needed these basics before launching in to the more difficult pattern picking of the belt! Time to pull out my own handspun that I've never found a use for to teach myself the motions!

[@LongThreadMedia]

Glad it was helpful! We can't wait to hear how it goes.

[@a1q369]

I seen more than 100 videos but only your video clear my weaving doubt 💖 Thank u🌷 ❤From India🇮🇳

[@LongThreadMedia]

We're so glad the video helped! Happy band weaving.

[@deborahcherry1735]

Best video I have seen for starting

[@LongThreadMedia]

You are so kind Deborah, thanks for the note!

[@kzookid2051]

Awesome video! So many of the ones I've watched don't go over the entire process and leave you wondering how exactly to proceed. I have short-term memory problems, but this makes it possible for me to follow along. I'm off to explore the channel further, and subscribe. Thanks so much!

[@LongThreadMedia]

What a wonderful note, you made our day!

[@blackthorn3335]

This is a great video on how to get started. Thanks so much!

[@LongThreadMedia]

Thanks for the note, we're glad you enjoyed it!

[@LailaTheKnitter]

Excellent tutorial, thank you!☺️

[@LongThreadMedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jo-annelavigne3610]

Thank you Kate, I just came across these videos. They are great. Your instructions are very easy and clear. I would love to do this soon.

[@LongThreadMedia]

We're so glad you enjoyed the video and hope you are able to give it a try. Let us know how it goes!

[@maryannarobinsonn1199]

Loved your video. So informative for a novice...mr

[@LongThreadMedia]

We're so glad you enjoyed it. Happy bandweaving!

[@saltandstoneknits]

Thanks for this great video! Ill try this out this week! Would love to see how the pickup patterns are worked! 😍

[@LongThreadMedia]

We'd had the same thought for a future follow-up video! We're glad you enjoyed this one.

[@partyfiesta1557]

Awesome instructional video! Thanks a lot. Would love to see how you work the pick up patterns

[@LongThreadMedia]

We'd love to do a follow-up video, and that's a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

[@jantiley735]

Thank you for this. I have found it really useful and informative as I have bought myself a heddle and had no idea how to warp it.

[@LongThreadMedia]

We're so glad this helped, best of luck and happy weaving!

[@Zack.Wilbert]

Hello, how are you dong today ?

[@LongThreadMedia]

​ @Zack.Wilbert we're all happily weaving! We hope all is well with you.

[@ah5721]

I'm a sewer and Nalbinder . Thank you for concise and easy to follow instructions ! many band weaves look very tedious with: turning cards, picking up and dropping the threads and going up and down with the shuttle thing that goes back and forth is too much for me ! this kind looks very beginner friendly . I would have to get the tools - but $30 for two items from the shop you suggested ? totally worth it !

[@LongThreadMedia]

We look forward to hearing how it goes!! Happy bandweaving.

[@ah5721]

How do you pass the shuttle through the upper and lower crossed parts of the warp?

[@cuppajavaplease]

The turning of cards means it's tablet weaving which is another weaving method. I have avoided trying that one. It looks too complicated to me!

[@ggwilliams7091]

This is so inspiring and practical! I have been search for mobile ways to weave. Is there a bigger mobile weaving tool to make like a scarf/sash (like the width of a laptop?) I will definitely check on the etsy page.

[@LongThreadMedia]

Definitely check out The Dancing Goats ETSY shop, I saw they have a backstrap rigid-heddle loom that's 20 inches wide! Such fun and Robin (the owner) is just great.

[@mismatched_socks]

Thank you so much, great video! :) Just a question: given that you know the lenght of the band you need to weave, how long shoud your threads be at the beginning? (eg twice the final lengh, three times the final lenght...?)

[@LongThreadMedia]

Great question! It greatly depends on the size of the warp and weft yarns as well as how densely you weave. Kate often adds about 25% take up for the band styles she weaves. She suggests making a small sample as she did here to determine take up. Then, you'll need to add several inches of waste in the front of the band (tied to the waist) and about 12 to 18 inches of waste at the end of the band.

[@jo-annelavigne3610]

Would the double pick back strap rigid needle weave Be the same as this video? That would be 39 threads. What would be different?

[@LongThreadMedia]

We chatted about your question and here is a note from our editors that we hope helps! The double-hole rigid heddles offer some great options. You can warp into just one row of holes and their corresponding slots using the warping and techniques shown in this video to create plain-weave bands. Or you can warp a pick-up band pattern that makes use of both rows of holes, which requires a few more skills and takes a bit more planning. Once learning how to plan and use them, many people find the double-hole heddles to be faster when weaving some types of pick-up patterns.

[@kimberlymv1255]

what do you mean by going up or giing down to pass through the yarn?

[@LongThreadMedia]

Lifting or lowering the rigid heddle allows you to change the shed. What this means is that when you lift the heddle, the threads passing through the small holes of the heddle (every other thread) also lift. Then you pass the weft through that opening (called a shed). Next, the heddle is lowered and the threads that were lifted are now lowered. The weft is passed through this new shed. Each time the shed is changed and the weft passed through, the band grows. We hope this helps!

[@maggiepatterson7949]

What is the importance of warping using a figure 8?

[@LongThreadMedia]

Good question! Winding in a figure-8 creates what weavers call a “cross.” Because the threads alternate directions, they stay in order and can be threaded onto the heddle in the same order they were wound. Without the cross, a small warp like this would probably be ok, but a longer, wider, or more complicated warp could become badly tangled or have tension challenges. A cross keeps things tidy. We hope that helps!

[@MedievalMary]

I don't understand the point of finding the cross in the warp threads. If you just take them off to thread the heddle, is that step still important?

[@LongThreadMedia]

The cross is an intermediate step that keeps the warp threads in order between the winding and threading steps. So even though you take them off the warping peg to thread, you want to keep the exact order of the threads in place and then thread them in that order. Without a cross, the warp threads can overlap and tangle, which can lead to weaving and tension issues. So, this is an important step to learn for bandweaving. I hope you give it a try!

[@MedievalMary]

@@LongThreadMedia I see! Thank you!

[@user-ld5vt7px6i]

Can I buy this equipment from you ?

[@LongThreadMedia]

You can find all of the tools Kate showed in the video at thedancinggoats.etsy.com/. Enjoy!

[@maggiepatterson7949]

Instructions are not that clear for a first timer....such as how do you know which is the first thread ( which goes through the hole), and the second? that was not explained, nor shown. Also where you stick in the popsicle sticks...tgat was not shown nor explained. May be this is not a beginner video?

[@LongThreadMedia]

Hello! By winding the warp in a figure 8, a cross is created. If you draw a figure 8 on its side (an infinity symbol), it might help you see how the threads move. The cross in the center prevents the warp threads from clustering or overlapping. This means that the first thread will be obvious; it can’t be confused with the second thread. If that still doesn’t seem clear, I suggest you give it a try and see it in action. Going back to that figure 8/infinity symbol, you’ll also see that there are two loops. The popsicle sticks are inserted into those loops, and moved to the center, securing the cross as you work. I hope this helps!