Posted by Austin Moran on Monday, 30 December 2002, at 10:42 a.m.:
I have a small tabletop loom that I recently purchased on eBay. There were no instructions or diagrams, so I am trying to figure it all out as I go. Let me try to explain what I am working on (visualize from the rear, forward):
1. at the rear of the loom is the supply roll for the warping fiber material. The loom is about 24" WIDE, but I am only using approximately 13" for my "try to figure out how to do it" phase
2. Moving forward, there are four wooden "frames" that raise and lower (depending upon which of the four "peddles" you depress). When frame is raised, some of the warping fibers are also raised.
3. Moving toward the operator, there is a "combing" device in the loom which I assume is used to tamp down the fibers that are woven into the warp. My confusion about this particular item comes from trying to figure out a starting place for the weaving project. When I start weaving, there is nothing against which I can "tamp" the newly woven fibers. Consequently, they are not compressed very tightly. I have found that after five or six rows, the "comb" does start to compress the rows. If I keep going, everything looks like it will be alright.
Here's my question. When I complete my project and wish to remove it from the loom, how do I keep the ends from unraveling? The start of the project is NOT very tightly compressed (though I can tighten it up a bit by hand). Must the ends be stitched in some fashion to keep things together?
Forgive my lack of knowledge. I am really attempting to figure this out as I go. I just bought some inexpensive yarn in an effort to better learn how to go from start to finish.
Thanks in advance for your kind offer to help me out.
Austin