Posted by Penn on Thursday, 5 January 2006, at 3:42 a.m.:
Since my early potholder triumphs, I've always wanted to weave, and I finally decided to learn. I took a weeklong class at The Mannings a year ago, then stalled out after chaining my first warp. A few weeks ago, I finally got going again and completed that project, then did another, and another. The surprises so far include enjoying the warping process and finding I've been able to solve every problem that's come up to date (thanks to Tom Knisely's video on warping). I've also had unexpected and lovely results in the weaving. I'm sure I'm benefitting from beginner's luck at this point, but I'm learning a lot in the process, and making a beautiful fabric is the perfect incentive to keep me exploring the craft.
My loom is a sweet little Leclerc Meco, the forerunner to the Dorothy. I've got the table stand and treadle setup, and even have add-on sectional beams if I want to do long warps. I enjoy exploring this loom, but am already skipping certain weaves because it takes a certain amount of oomph to elevate just two harnesses - I don't think I could get a decent shed on this loom with a 3-shaft tieup. (This may not be the fault of the Meco, it might be my lack of strength, but it's still a real problem.) That, the limited weaving width, and the lure of 8-harness patterns have me dreaming of my next loom.
My question is when to buy. Initially, I made a modest investment in buying the Meco because wanted to prove to myself that I was going to stick with weaving. I also thought I should explore different types of weaving before I bought the "serious" loom. I know beginners sometimes get 8H countermarches right away, but I've heard they disappear under their looms, trying to figure out the tieups, never to be heard from again. Having spared myself that fate, I don't want to delay upgrading because I think I should become highly proficient on the Meco first, unless that's a good idea.
Any advice from the seasoned weavers out there who've faced this decision, or seen others deal with it? Any recommendations on 8H models with a 36" to 45" weaving width that are solid as rocks and on the quiet side? When I finally upgrade, I'll also need a loom that's not physically demanding, because I have MS and loss of muscle strength is a problem. Would a countermarche make sense?
TIA and Happy New Year,
Penn