Beka Rigid Heddle Loom Warping Instructions

This video shows you how to warp our SG Original Rigid Heddle Loom.
Shop Rigid Heddle Looms here:
www.bekainc.com/shop/15/rigid...
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[@DeniseRochelle1]

Wish this video existed four years ago! I gave up on my Beka because I was direct warping and, as a new weaver, somehow got it in my head that I needed really tight tension when warping. I couldn’t keep the beams from moving so all my loops would come off the teeth and I stripped the threads on the beam by over tightening. I got new beams and boxed the whole thing up intending to sell it. Going to pull it out and give it another chance!!!

[@bekawoodproducts9336]

Denise, Thank you for hanging in there and for giving your Beka Loom another try. Of course, we wish you had contacted us before boxing up your loom, as we would have been glad to walk you through a couple different warping techniques that can be used with rigid heddle looms. We’re especially glad you saw our new video, which we hope re-energizes you about rigid heddle weaving. We hope you enjoy the wide variety of projects you’re able to do. Happy weaving, and thank you for your feedback. Sincerely, ~The Beka Folks

[@DeniseRochelle1]

@@bekawoodproducts9336 Thanks - I really just needed to see it in action. The trick on using the heddle blocks was news to me as well. All the videos out there for Ashford, Kromski, etc. just didn't go with how the Beka is done. You guys have been great and even replaced a beam for free. Your customer service has always been fantastic...in fact, I think one of the guys in the shop answered the customer service phone once when you were officially closed and he was very helpful. I've got the Betty Davenport book that uses a Beka - I'm going to pull that out again and see where I misinterpreted pulling the warp so tight. I love the Beka quality and customer service. I even got the stand and ambitiously purchased extra heddles so really want to make it work. Thanks for being so responsive!!

[@craigI]

Ijust got this loom today. I was so clueless. This video was perfect. Thank you so much.

[@katetx2001]

Thank you so much! You have made this so much easier. One of my problems in the past was finding a table that would fit the notches. Now I know I can use the heddle blocks. You have a great instructional clarity and demeanor, easy to follow. Everyone at Beka has been great to get me started confidently. I wish I had watched this before I threaded my heddle upside down. All set now though.

[@achillesjames2051]

I know Im pretty randomly asking but does anybody know of a good website to watch new series online?

[@achillesjames2051]

@Nelson Briar Thank you, I signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) I appreciate it !!

[@nelsonbriar7593]

@Achilles James glad I could help xD

[@rosepedal05]

Thanks for great video have a so for 1 year could not figure it out finally I am gonna warp it today thanks a bunch vicky

[@joanedwards938]

So so helpful and straight forward! What are the blocks for holding the heddle during the warping process? Thank you for the great video!

[@outsidethebox3185]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU so muc. I have 2 Beka looms. One is 32". I could not understand how to use them. With the teeth it's so different from the ones (looms) being used. Or maybe I should say that many use while makimg videos. For some years before this I was trying to find a visual explanation. Couldn't find it. I noticed this was posted in 2018. Again thank you so much, I plan on immediately getting started.😊🤗😊

[@bekawoodproducts9336]

Great, glad we could help! We also have the RL-32" Loom assembly instructions here: www.bekainc.com/images/stories/rl%20loom%20instructions.pdf Hope you Love the Looms! Happy Weaving, ~The Beka Folks

[@lydiamulligan8277]

Thank you. This was incredibly helpful. Is there any way you can make a video on how to wind a warp without a peg board?

[@bekawoodproducts9336]

Lydia, Thank you for your wonderful comment about our Beka Rigid Heddle Loom Warping Instructions video. We’re glad you found it so helpful! To answer your question about winding a warp without a warping board, the techniques used to warp a loom without first winding a warp are called “direct warping” techniques. We do not currently have a video showing the direct warping technique on our looms. We do have a written description of the technique beginning on page 4 of our “Fold & Go Loom Weaving Tips” sheet you can find here: www.bekainc.com/images/stories/foldandgohowtoweave.pdf. The details described can easily be adjusted for any Beka Rigid Heddle Loom. Thank you again for your interest and support for Beka’s Made in the USA weaving products; we truly appreciate your support! Happy weaving, Jonathon, Jamie & all the Beka Folks

[@rosesires4560]

Hi, Last week I was finally able to take my rigid heddle Zoom class that I signed up for during Covid. We were learning rigid heddle pickup along with some other fancy patterns, I was excited!! Only to find out that I needed a neutral setting along with up and down! I have a 24” Beka with a stand. Do you make any such thing? Thank you Rose

[@c.c.1366]

Wish it was all in focus

[@susanmiller8261]

Outstanding!

[@readerscout4069]

Finally an instructional video set for Beka looms! I have the 24” and I’m in a wheelchair. I can’t find my auxiliary blocks. What can I do?

[@bekawoodproducts9336]

Thank you for your interest in Beka Looms! The Heddle Blocks can be ordered here: www.bekainc.com/buy/07503/heddle-block-pair. Please let us know if you have any questions. We appreciate your business & support! Thanks, ~The Beka Folks

[@amymorin4028]

Thanks for this helpful video. One clarification questions: When you are threading the heddle, do you alternate 1x1 the threads that stay in the slot versus those that are thread through the hole?

[@bekawoodproducts9336]

Greetings from the North Woods, Thank you for your interest in Beka Looms! Great question! When threading the heddle, you first thread loops through each slot, then you wind the warp yarn onto the back beam, then you cut each loop, then one thread comes out of each slot and you pull it through the adjacent hole. So, when you're done you have one thread in each slot and one thread in each hole. So, the answer is yes, normally you alternate 1x1 on the heddle. You can be more creative with your spacing to get different effect in your fabric, we'd not recommend this until you have some experience with the basic threading, which is a thread in every slot/hole. Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions. We appreciate your business & support! Thanks & Happy Weaving, ~The Beka Folks

[@artistirmafeliciarodriguez7752]

Hi Guys!!! I recently contacted you guys about the RL Model that I acquired recently, I am so excited and can't wait to receive the parts. YOU GUYS ROCK!!! LOVE MY BEKA 36" RL Model

[@HJKelley47]

Is that the Grizzly you are referring to????

[@artistirmafeliciarodriguez7752]

@@HJKelley47 36” rigid heddle that is no longer made

[@joberliner7446]

What size crochet hook are you using to get the warp through the holes? I've just been using my loom as a tapestry/frame loom because I haven't been able to thread my warp through the heddle.

[@bekawoodproducts9336]

Thank you for your interest in Beka Looms! We’re using a #8 steel crochet hook for threading the heddle holes. We think one major plus to this loom is just that it can be used as both a tapestry/frame loom and a rigid heddle loom! Thanks again! Let us know if you have any other questions. Happy Weaving, ~The Beka Folks

[@sandymorrison1400]

Your wide angle camera makes the beam look bent.

[@crlebrn]

I really like the video. The only question I have about threading the warp onto the loom is this - With the figure 8 in your warp track, do you keep the figure 8 as you thread the warp onto the loom? I was unable to see exactly how you held the warp each time you thread it through. I also am so new at this I don't understand the reason for the figure 8. Can you please explain this to me?

[@pamrambin7447]

The figure 8 in the warp is to keep the threads in order.

[@crlebrn]

@@pamrambin7447 I understand the figure 8 after watching several more times. I still am not sure if the figure 8 is kept when putting the warp on the loom. I cannot see exactly how the warp is threaded through the heddle, whether it is still in the figure 8 or not.

[@ziggiezag938]

@@crlebrn The figure 8 drops when pulling the loop through the heddle to put onto the warp beam. If you kept the figure 8, I don't think you would be able to weave. The camera work is terrible throughout this video, the demonstrator's hands are out of frame at crucial times.

[@bekawoodproducts9336]

Just a quick clarification about the figure 8 (or what we may be called the warp cross). The purpose of the figure 8/crossing threads is to keep the wound warp from being tangled as you thread individual warp loops through the heddle’s slots. The cross makes it easy to pick up the next warp loop (only the top loop can be lifted off without it being clear you may have grasped the wrong loop). Once you pull a loop through a slot, the cross for that loop is lost (no longer needed). The remaining warp yarn is still held in the palm of your hand, so the figure 8 will keep the remaining yarn from becoming tangled until the last loop is threaded.

[@vickistone3700]

do you have to be standing up to weave? or will the reeds drop enough to a table top below to get a good shed?

[@jamiesk9695]

Hello and thank you for your interest in Beka Looms! The short response to your question is no, most weavers sit to weave. The longer answer is to explain that the lower shed (or down shed) on Beka SG model looms is achieved by placing the heddle under the loom's shed blocks, so the shed blocks can not be resting on a table. The loom is usually positioned with the front of the loom (fabric beam) against the weaver's stomach and the back of the loom against the edge of a table. Some weavers place the notches in the loom's sides over the edge of a table or push the loom's shed blocks against the edge of a table. An alternative is to use a floor stand to hold the loom. The key is to be able to lift and lower the heddle while weaving, placing the ends of the heddle on top of and then underneath the loom's shed blocks. We hope this information is helpful as you continue to explore the world of weaving with your Beka Loom!!

[@graceygal2664]

Not on beka looms on other looms yes

[@ziggiezag938]

What is the purpose of the teeth on the cloth beam? You don't use them and they seem to cause problems while winding the warp onto it.

[@bekawoodproducts9336]

Thank you for your interest in Beka Looms and for your question. We include beam teeth on both of our loom’s beams as there are a variety warping techniques favored by different people. With one of the most popular warping techniques, the teeth are used to attach groups of warp threads to the beam (figure 13 in our SG Instruction booklet). Using the teeth makes it easy to “lash on” regardless of the width of a project; adjusting the tension may then be done by adjusting the lashing cord (fig 14 in Instructions). In other warping techniques, sets of threads may tied around individual teeth, a dowel rod may be used as an apron rod tied to the teeth, etc. Regardless of the technique used, the teeth provide a flexible anchoring point for the warping process. If you choose not to use them, simply position the fabric beam so the teeth point down during warping; that will keep the teeth out of the way. When weaving and winding finished fabric onto the cloth beam, it is helpful to cover the teeth with heavy paper for the first wrap or two, creating a flat surface for your finished fabric. We hope this information is helpful and that you love your Beka Rigid Heddle Loom. Happy Weaving, ~The Beka Folks

[@sandymorrison1400]

@@bekawoodproducts9336 I have always just tied onto the teeth in bundles of four. It works great! I have also tied the left bundle then the right bunde while the heddle is in the warping blocks. Then I move the heddle into the up position and tie on the rest of the bundles. Then I retie the original left and right bundles. I have never had any trouble doing it this way. I read from Betty Davenports original book that if you don't tie on this way, you can have tension troubles. Also, I always use a paper liner throughout the entire warp so that the warp does not nest into itself. I use the "yank and crank" method of rolling on the warp. I've only used your loom since '91. I've taught myself to weave on three heddles. I'm currently weaving a horn sock - it's a tube-double weave. Fun stuff!

[@eagledove9]

I'm trying to find something that I would call an 'open tooth heddle,' but I don't know the exact words to call it, and I can't find it. The teeth in the heddle are even called 'teeth,' and yet, they cannot open like a mouth. I want a heddle that opens like a mouth, with a top half and bottom half. There would be no slots, and there would be no eyeholes. You would just lay the 'floss' between each lower tooth while it was open, and you would also lay the 'floss' into a notch on each tooth, which would become the eyehole when you closed the mouth. There would be none of that dang-blasted hook pulling strings through slots and then pulling them through an eyehole again, spending a million billion years to do it. Basically, the heddle would be like pegs, too, but when you were done threading through it, you would close the upper teeth of the mouth, clamp it together so it stays shut, and then it would look and behave like a normal heddle. I'm so annoyed at spending a million years threading things with the dang hook. I would have to build this thing myself, because I can't find it, and I don't know what words I would need to google to get the right thing.

[@graceygal2664]

I'm afraid that dosent exist yet but it would be an amazing product The rapid warp loom is the closest thing I can find

[@ameliaallen2042]

Please stop skipping the beginning of each step if this is supposed to be a step-by-step tutorial. This video is impossible to follow for absolute beginners because it doesn't take the time to show up close where everything is supposed to be at the beginning of each step. I had to go find other videos that DID show the beginning of each step in order to be able to follow along.