Choosing a Rigid Heddle Loom

[@rabidemu1280]

Thank you for your video(s). I am just flirting with getting into weaving and I'm prone to being a "just get the biggest because it's got more flexibility" person and I was seriously considering the 48". Seeing you sitting in front of it, as opposed to generic product videos, and the points you made, are making me lean more towards something less than 20". So you've probably saved me from a serious "what have I done" moment.

[@feinahpets]

I've just been thinking the same thing! Thank you for saving me from one of those moments, too! I'm going to start smaller and get a bigger one later if I think I'll use it!

[@gwl7057]

Same here! I'm so glad she showed the 48". When I saw the size of the shuttle, that's when I really said "Nope." :)

[@ocelotcat]

Same here!! I thought the exact same way 😊

[@Gypsywandering400]

Me too! Looking at this beautiful beast of yours, that would have been a major mistake. I think I’ll go for the 80cm/32in one. I want to weave yardage mostly, but also smaller items.

[@lucyb9052]

You said everything I was thinking. I don’t know which one to purchase. I’m also thinking smaller now.

[@emmajudson5945]

So helpful to see different sizes of loom together, with a person sitting at them. Like many of the commenters, I now realise I need a far smaller loom than I was thinking of, thankyou!

[@marilynmathews9696]

Hi! Great video. I love my 25” Flip loom. Most of the time I use it on the stand. I’m 73, but the loom is easy for me to move from room to room in the house, or take it outside to warp a particularly long warp, or just weave in the shade under a tree. I’ve woven things from a belt, to blankets- from a very long full width piece, seamed down the middle. Also dozens of cotton hand towels😉.❤ Keep making videos

[@lorraineholland4726]

Thank you for this helpful video. It has been more helpful than anything else I’ve found - seeing the different sizes of loom actually demonstrated has helped me decide that the 16” is plenty big enough to start with.

[@AllIsWellaus]

Thank you. I was one of the people who literally was going to purchase a large rigid heddle loom not realising the technical issues I would run into. Among other issues that I have, I found this video hugely beneficial.

[@ultraflightamerica9019]

I like your honesty in this video. thanks for the information.

[@janicehuff2217]

Please make lots of more videos. YOU are very easy to understand and I am learning so much from your lessons. Thanks

[@ocelotcat]

Thank you so much! This really helped me, it put it all into perspective too, I've adjusted my mindset on "go big"..... I now realize I don't need such a wide loom, that the moderate sizes will work just fine (and be less expensive)...... Peace 💜

[@cerwelt]

Very helpful. May watch it a couple times. Eliminating the ones I don’t want to start with at my age is very helpful.

[@lynphillips2109]

I appreciate this down to earth presentation. I thought I wanted a 30" loom, but I got a 15" Flip for Christmas. And I love it. It's big enough for me :) Like if I wanted to make a jacket from hand woven fabric from a 15" width, duh, I could cut princess seam pieces if I needed to.

[@verykerrym]

This is so helpful. Really appreciate the information. My first impulse was to buy the biggest I can afford, but after watching I think I'm going for a smaller one!

[@Pumpkins_lil_farm]

Omg I've Ben trying to figure out how that heddle worked no one explained it like you just did thank you❤

[@designdolphin]

@Amy King Hi, I have a request and hope you can answer it. Ashford has 4 sizes for rigid heddle loom, can you list the types of stuff you can weave on each individual length so prospective newbie buyers have an idea of which length suits their current needs? Thanks.

[@lucyb9052]

YES,agreed.

[@curtriceennis2924]

Hello, I'm a person who likes to do many kinds of crafts such as Macrame, Acrylic Painting, Crocheting, Needlepoint, Jewelry Making, Woodworking, and, others. Am wanting to get into weaving, now, and, your video has helped me to realize I don't need a LARGE loom to start off with. I was wondering if pieces could be sewn together, and, you cleared that up for me. Mostly, I am wanting to start out by weaving items such as wall hangings or scarves. Maybe someday I will "get good enough" to weave a blanket, sewing woven pieces together from a small loom. Thank you for sharing your information with us. Keep the videos coming for us, please.

[@BBMc107]

This was the video I needed to see. I love your selection of looms and honest pro con of each. I thought I wanted a 24” Schact, but am now thinking that a lap loom is more my style and from your comments, a 19” glimakra might be better.

[@calcrules]

I bought a 16 inch and it's been fantastic. However, there have been a fair few projects that I've had to rework because they should have been done on a 24 inch loom. It's NOT a HUGE deal, but it would be easier if I could just make the thing. So, I kinda wish that I'd sprung for the 24, but I'm still having a lot of fun! I'm getting ready to try overshot on the rigid heddle!

[@paulettegaleener6754]

This was a good video as I’m at odds choosing a loom. I already have a Norwood floor loom but have yet to learn it. So I was thinking I should get a 32”, but now after watching your video it’s giving me an idea that a smaller than 20” loom might be a better choice. thank you for giving me a bit more food for thought. My latest spinning wheels are portable electrics and it might be nice to take a wheel and loom out to farmers markets or something.

[@habituscraeftig]

The two things I really want to be able to do are fine cotton and cottonsilk saris (hence the appeal of the 48" width) and fabrics like silk taffeta that just aren't woven as densely by machine as they once were by hand (according to historical costuming scholars). What I don't really have a strong sense of is whether the tension on a rigid heddle loom (specifically the Ashford) is sufficient for mostly weaving light to midweight cloth from very fine yarns.

[@briandt7383]

Hello Amy, just wanted to say... this was really helpful. Will catch up on your other videos now!

[@irinaphillips8962]

This video is SO helpful! Thank you so much!

[@Javaman92]

I liked the video not being chopped up. I'm just curious and checking different things out.

[@shirleybose3143]

thank you for explaining the nitty gritty. That is what I needed. The devil is in the detail after all

[@angelicinspirations]

This is exactly what I needed. Thanks for the video.

[@MirjaHPrivate]

Thank you! This video really helped me to narrow down on my options!

[@cotystargazer9844]

Looking forward to more weaving videos! I found you through Craftsy/Bluprint and am very happy to see your content here on KZbin! It's all wonderful!

[@katieharrowell2959]

Hi Amy, thanks for the video. Its very informative. In the video you mentioned ashford doing a green special a while back. Do you have any idea of how long ago that was? Uve got the chance to buy a 32" which is green. The owner doesnt have a clue on age so was wondering if you might have a better idea. Many thanks for your time and all your videos ❤

[@susanscandles]

Really enjoyed your video Amy. I bought a 24” s ha to years ago but haven’t woven on it but couple times. Took class using a cricket and really enjoyed smaller size. Thought of 16” cricket but friend really likes her Kromski. I am now unsure. Would appreciate your help. I want to weave scarves, wraps and table runners and placemats. Suggestions? Kromski, cricket, Ashford?? TY

[@orianaspiderowl769]

Oi! The 40 doesn't look that big on the site. Ooooh, im soo glad i found you! That would have ended badly...😥 Now im stuck between the 32- something and the 24 inch. I wanna make my own unique fabrics that i can sew together. Could you help me pick one? Ive used ridged heddle looms before in my high school textiles class, but i never warped one. I think those were 15-20 inch looms. Big enough to fit on a student's desk. Bigger is not always better, i really need to stop that...

[@SpunkyEclectic]

Absolutely. If you want to make fabric - standard fabric is 45 inches for cotton. Which would make the 24 half of that and if you had a pattern that needed to use the full 45 inch width, you'd have to sew a seam. Which the 32 inch would be same issue. Also consider that you have draw in so even if you warped the full 24, you'll probably be getting a 22 inch wide piece and with the 32 a 30 inch wide. Take a look at some of the things you want to make and start measuring for your size and what you think is more reasonable for you and what you want to do

[@myrany8407]

I have a baby wolf 8 shaft floor loom. I also have an artisan made inkle loom. I am really looking for something to use on my lap while in the recliner. I am just going back and forth between the Ashford rigid heddle 16" and the schacht cricket 15". Any personal preference? I no longer live anywhere near a weaving store and the lady that helped me pick out my baby wolf has since passed away.

[@susanscandles]

In time when I feel more comfortable weaving, would like to try different patterns. Does width of RHL make a difference?

[@solinamarshall3963]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@philhewett1601]

Thanx an" a hat tip! Great video. Very helpful information on various small looms that has helped me better decide what will work for me. Keep doing what you're doing?

[@phos5990]

this is very helpful!

[@moonsaglow]

Interesting in looming

[@artfullyspun5480]

Hi Amy, I really enjoyed your presentation. I'm wavering between the Rigid Heddle and the Knitters' Loom...what's the difference in 'feel'? I'd like to make long wide scarves for myself + friends.

[@joshuawilson8553]

Hi Artfully Spun. I have an Ashford 20" Knitters Loom and I love it. I've made many, many projects on it and have recently started using a 2nd heddle on it. I would definitely recommend it.

[@angorachic]

@@joshuawilson8553 Thank you! I am not the OP, but I had the same question.

[@quix66hiya22]

Thanks for this. So helpful!

[@zoebarta2278]

Do you like Schacht or Ashford rigid heddle looms?

[@taken-for-pomegranted]

I wonder if there is a way to stabilize the larger heddles on either side with strong yarn like linen to help with the balance you told us about?

[@erolyitik5759]

Thanks a lot for explain

[@brownjackpaws]

Can we use the bigger shuttle to weave something small?

[@anytu246]

Buon giorno ,bravissima, dove si trova questi telaio e i prezzi m'interessa molto per comprare, aspetto la sua risposta grazie mille e buona giornata

[@debbiepitcher9806]

I’ve looked on your site and have not seen much on the rigid heddle loom ☹️☹️ could you do more on it please 😳😋

[@SpunkyEclectic]

Working on it. There's a lot of prep involved with some videos and weaving in particular but there is a list! hang in there!

[@lynseyadams6584]

Ashford have an absolute ton of vids on KZbin.

[@brandylieser4227]

Which size is your favorite of the smaller looms for scarfs?

[@SpunkyEclectic]

The Cricket 8 or 10 inch. It's small and it sits on my lap well

[@danpayne2031]

Looks like a nice section, but not loud enough! Turn up her volume or get a remote mike.

[@artistirmafeliciarodriguez7752]

Hi Amy, I have a question about a particular floor loom that I am interested in purchasing from someone in my area. It is call "Ideal Loom, Floor model from the Ideal Loom Company" This particular model in no longer being produced and seems to be in good condition and is only 250.00. Do you think this is a good deal? Oh and it is 4' x 4'

[@SpunkyEclectic]

I have no idea. Without being able to inspect it myself and not knowing anything about the company, I couldn't tell you. I do know that most 4foot looms with 4 or more shafts cost much more.

[@mariannewilliams138]

Thank you very good info,

[@Stacey.B]

What is your stores email address? I've looked through your about and community pages and couldn't find it. Thank you! I have questions and want to order some metal heddles but didn't bu my loom new so I don't know who to reach out to.

[@walidelsoudy3533]

I have an idea for weaving I'm from egypt keep in touch

[@cmaur811]

I need a 15 .. have to order

[@mdmerajansari8168]

Hii I am Meraj from Bhagalpur Bihar india I am weaver and manufacturers of bhagalpuri silk fabric, linens fabrics etc.

[@yusufoyunda1153]

bende istiyorum

[@robertawright5288]

I expected a conversation about rigid heddle looms, instead a I get another long winded, full of herself person discussing everything about looms but the topic! If I wanted to learn about large looms or everything but a rigid heddle loom I would look that up. Unfortunately while digging through your video I found nothing helpful towards what I am looking for. So, please stay on track for those of us newbies who are trying to make an intelligent decision!

[@emmajudson5945]

Rude. I found this really helpful.

[@TinyFreya59]

Maybe if you weren’t so busy formulating a petulant, snarky message you would’ve noticed her link list? Might’ve found your newbie answers under her teaching website.