My Shuttles

As I was working on this very wide (for me) warp, I discovered that the shuttle which I normally use wasn't working as well as I wanted it to. That got me to thinking about shuttles.
what is a shuttle? According to dictionary.com it is a noun:
"a device in a loom for passing or shooting the weft thread through the shed from one side of the web to the other, usually consisting of a boat-shaped piece of wood containing a bobbin on which the weft thread is wound."

[@LivPurpleNow]

Thank you for your videos. One thing I like about watching your videos is you make me feel like you’re talking directly to me vs. presenting - like I stopped by to ask a question.

[@aliskink]

Thanks for this very useful info. I'm about to graduate from stick to boat shuttles and your video has given me a much better idea of what I need now. I'd assumed that heavier shuttles would be more likely to fall through the warp, so it is great to have that corrected!

[@curmudgeon66]

Glad to hear that my shuttle review was helpful, that's what I was hoping it would be for someone.

[@alisonjames8082]

I find waxing my shuttles with a beeswax polish helps them glide better. The Leclerc shuttles, which have a varnish on them also shoot across pretty well.

[@curmudgeon66]

Excellent idea, thanx.

[@edithgaertner7366]

Very informative- I’M a beginner so value all your information- thank you!

[@christinemckinney6506]

I am a new weaver. I have a 22 inch floor loom and have been thinking about buying a boat shuttle after using stick shuttles for my projects so far, so this info was just what I needed! I have watched several of your videos and really enjoyed them and have learned a lot! You do beautiful work! Keep making weaving videos, please!

[@curmudgeon66]

3 videos were posted in the last couple of weeks, and the 4th should be there in another week or so. Thanks for your comments, and enjoy your weaving.

[@movourneen]

Thanks for a very informative video.

[@Gigimamapa5]

Very helpful.

[@marianeill6234]

Great video... Thanks!

[@marfoo2775]

Thank you for all your very informative videos! I haven't seen all of them but I think I will. So much information you won't find in a book. I am curious about the large white striped project you are weaving. I think it is lovely in its simplicity. Love the colours. Hope you finish it soon and show us the result.

[@lesmessbucilova2732]

I’m so glad you said this. I discovered the same things as you did with the same shuddles. Very interesting that your ashford was submarineing and then your heavier shuddles worked better. Same here 😉

[@terrysharing]

Andy, as always you captivate me with your very interesting discussions on weaving. Dorothy even watched this one. Completely understand the heavier shuttle being the better option for this project. Can't wait to see the finished project.

[@curmudgeon66]

Hey Terry! Thanks for watching and getting Dorothy to join you for this video. Glad I found a bit of weaving logic that fits in with your artistic brain. I know some of my weaving gets a bit deep into technical weeds. One of the table cloths is now on display in a fiber arts exhibit at the Menasha WI public library, but maybe I can do something to show the remaining ones.

[@lovecraftwithme]

Good to see you again - thanks for the information very coolio :)

[@barbararickman8543]

Wow! What excellent information! That was truly useful and now I know why I can't use one certain shuttle on my RH! Rigid heddles have no shuttle race so it is important to use the right shuttle.

[@curmudgeon66]

Hi Barbara! Glad this little bit was helpful to you. I have played with a bunch of different shuttles, and I use the ones that seem to work best for me in a given situation. When there is no shuttle race, I really need the upturned ends on the shuttle.

[@37homecrafts]

Thank you for making this video, it was very useful because I've just bought a Double bobbin shuttle and wanted to know how it's used in weaving. Annette 😉👍

[@gerihargreaves7515]

Missed your videos glad you are back. Just got a new to me louet spring so excited to get busy. I find the open bottom shuttles easier to control the unwinding of the yarn from underneath with my finger as I weave. Interestingly when we went around a weaving museum about the people that used to weave for a living in England there was a standard width of fabric based on the maximum width that could be woven at speed by hand. Something like 28 inches but not sure exactly. If you are looking for inspiration check out the Jane Stafford online guild. This year she is doing colour and design. You also get access to all last years videos ( she does one a month) and I learnt tons even as an experienced weaver.

[@curmudgeon66]

I too have found that I prefer open bottom shuttles. My arms are long enough that I feel comfortable out to about 34 inches wide, more than that I can do, but don't enjoy as much. Jane S did a great job on the training videos which were supplied with my Louet Spring. I considered her on line guild but have not made a decision about joining it or not. Thanks for watching and commenting on my video,

[@CM-xn6xc]

I’ve been watching your videos for a while. I just got a You Tube account so I haven’t commented before. You have been so helpful, especially your explanations for block weaves. Thank you. I have a Cranbrook 78” and have all the shuttles you showed plus a few more. I use one similar to your favorite but it also has rollers on the bottom that almost make the shuttle float across. The rollers probably add weight too.

[@curmudgeon66]

First off, welcome to the world of youtube! I suspect that rollers do add weight, but also improve "slide" across the warp. However I think that they almost require a shuttle race, so won't work on a loom like my Ashford table loom which has no race.

[@conniewaczkowski2961]

can you show us how you wind your bobbins? Great video btw. Very informative and clear instructions.

[@curmudgeon66]

I have done a few videos about bobbin winding: here is one of those: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqfRc3d9frmCfbs And I recently bought a special bobbin winding tool, you can find a video about that at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHzEk2ZmpMueack hope this answers your question!

[@suem6004]

Very interesting. Thanks for the new weaving video.

[@deborahthomas-wilton]

Glad to see you are back. Was beginning to wonder if you were ok. I think I will check my shuttles and compare their performance to weight.

[@chrisr8178]

The first Schacht shuttle is my favorite. I believe its a low profile shuttle. Mine is 30+ years old.

[@jacibledsoe9647]

What is a shuttle race? Great information!! I have been binge watching your videos...getting ready for my loom. It has a 36 inch max. width. The Louet Erica I am getting to teach my grandkids, is a 50cm width and 4 shafts. I am going to be able to make what I need to start with.

[@charlenetyger9473]

Thank you! Awesome info!

[@janetayres9743]

i prefer a closed-bottom shuttle. The open ones seemed to let the bobbin hang up on the warp, especially if I was overly zealous in filling the bobbin. As you noted, one must exercise restraint when filling the bobbins but the shuttle does zip on across the shed! Looking forward to seeing your next project.

[@curmudgeon66]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@frandaig]

Your video is very informative. I must say all of your videos are because I find you go into infinite details that helps any weaver. I would like to know if you have done a video on supplemental warp. I could not find in your library. I am curious to learn this technique and you have probably done some yourself. Thank you again for your insight.

[@curmudgeon66]

I have not done any supplemental warp videos because I do not have a loom which supports that feature. It is my understanding that to do supplemental warp, one needs a 2nd back beam, all of my looms have only a single back beam. Thank you for your kind comments about my videos.

[@frandaig]

Thank you very much for your quick answer.

[@maryannerick7617]

You can do a supplemental warp by weighting the warp across the warp beam with film cans filled with pennies or a plastic bottle filled with water. Takes some adjusting to get the weight right and you do have to move the weights as you advance the warp. Beats paying for a loom with an extra beam! You might also rig up something with your trapeze that would allow you to hang the second warp separately.

[@TheBestFanGirlEver]

I’m so happy to see this information. I have an ashford 4 shaft and I’ve been wondering if I would be able to use a boat shuttle without a race.

[@curmudgeon66]

You can use a boat shuttle, but I suggest it have the upturned ends, and that it be a fairly thin shuttle. I found that thick (tall) shuttles don't work well on the Ashford, and the ones that are evenly pointed like to dive into the deep space on the floor all too easily.

[@TheBestFanGirlEver]

Thanks you. One last question on your ashford, do you use it on a table? Or do you use the stand where it can attach to treadles? I’m considering investing the stand because I find reaching over the work to be somewhat annoying/cumbersome, and I end up having to stand at the loom to weave.

[@curmudgeon66]

I have the stand that is made for this loom by ashford. I have the treadles, I used them once when I first got this loom, and I found that I do not like using the treadles, they are the back of a closet and will never be used again by me. I recommend that you do not spend the $$ to buy the treadles. Do buy the stand, it is the perfect height for this loom.

[@mydogky]

Louet do a lovely shuttle that doesnt nose dive and the blusterbay shuttles are really nice both are a good weight especially for a wide warp bluster bay is also tensioned

[@curmudgeon66]

Thanks for that bit of info on Louet & Blusterbay shuttles. I used Glimåkra looms & shuttles when I took the class at Vavstuga a few years ago, and learned a lot in the class, including learning that I don't like using a prin for holding my weft thread. I'm sure this is just a personal like/dislike, but I want to sick with bobbins. I understand the Blusterbay uses a prin so I suspect I would not particulary like it. Who knows, maybe one day I will try one, but for now I'm gonna stick with my Schacht shuttles. However, I do appreciate your comments, as we all learn when we pass on our experiences with weaving.

[@WL044542]

Спасибо.

[@mamijo3382]

Hello! they are very interesting your videos. Thank you so much. Regarding this video, since I do not speak English well, can you confirm that I understood correctly, that the shuttle boat Schacht empty bottom and with the tips raised is the most interesting to work on the Ashford table loom. If I see the written answer, I will understand better. 🙂Thank you again for this video. From Quebec, Canada

[@NancyFloodWeaving]

Good info. I always enjoy your videos and have learned a lot from you. Recently I had the same problem you described. It was discouraging and I let my project sit a while, too. Then I purchased a used AVL end feed shuttle (including 8 bobbins) from weaversloft.com. It is heavier and the end feed makes the edges really nice. Also it has a screw adjustment for thin or thicker yarn. I loved it so much when another popped up on the site - I bought it , too. If you ever have the opportunity to try one do so - I think you would really see the difference.

[@mamijo3382]

hello, I like watching your videos and even if I don't speak English very well, I can understand your comments. I’ve watched the video where you talk about your shuttles. My question is: How do you do, using the Schacht, so that it does not fall under the threads when you weave on your Ashford eight shafts? Me, I use the same shuttle and the same loom and it often finds the threads. What is your secret or what is the trick? I would like to understand why I can't do it ... Thanks and happy new year!

[@curmudgeon66]

Occasionally my shuttle does go down under the threads on my Ashford loom. I always use a shuttle where the ends are slightly curved upwards, as that helps the shuttle to not dive under the threads, but it still happens occasionally. I think the secret is to try not to throw the shuttle too hard, only just hard enough so it comes out the other side. If I throw to hard it bounces a little and then goes under. Your English is much better than I would be in any other language, as English is all I know.

[@mamijo3382]

@@curmudgeon66 thank you for your reply