Another Loom?
- By Karen
- November 27, 2018
- 20 Comments
Guess what? I added another loom. You might think I already have plenty of looms. This one is a beautiful, well-cared-for 120 cm Glimåkra Standard countermarch loom. It’s the first real step toward another big dream—drawloom weaving. What a pleasant surprise for me to find out that the dear person handing off this loom is one of my blog friends from right here at Warped for Good! And not far from our Texas hill country home. Thank you, friend!

Glimakra Standard, 120 cm. The side gables fit, but just barely, in the covered bed of our Tacoma pickup truck.
There are a few things to be done before drawloom weaving becomes a reality for me.
- Read, re-read, and review everything I can get my hands on about drawlooms and drawloom weaving, especially Joanne Hall’s new book, Drawloom Weaving, and Becky Ashenden’s DVD, Dress Your Swedish Drawloom.
- Fix up the light-filled room in the hangar (did I tell you we have an airplane hangar on our property?) where there is ample room for the extended-length drawloom.
- Order the drawloom attachment and supplies.
- Move the loom to its special room in the hangar.
- Assemble the drawloom.
In the meantime, I’ll weave a couple projects on this loom while it sits in a prized corner in our home. In our little piece of hill country. (We make our final move there next week!)
May you take a step closer to your biggest dreams.
With deep gratitude,
Karen
20 Comments
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Two Kinds of Dressing
- By Karen
- November 23, 2018
- 8 Comments
Before everyone arrives for our Thanksgiving family gathering, I am making pie crust for the pecan pie, dough for my “famous” cranberry bread, and doing the prep to make Gram’s turkey dressing. Each family is bringing their contributions to the meal (feast). Thanksgiving Day is a flurry of activity with too many cooks in the kitchen—just how we like it! And sitting at the table with the feast before us, we give thanks. Thanks to each other, and to our Creator. We are blessed!
And before everyone arrives I also manage to sley the reed on the Standard. A different kind of dressing—loom dressing.

I sit “inside” the loom on my loom bench to sley the reed.

After the reed is sleyed, I remove the loom bench, lower the shafts, and move the countermarch to the front of the loom. Then, I place the reed in the beater and make sure it is centered. Next step–tying on!
A feast for the eyes and hands and heart. Thankful indeed!
May you give thanks,
Karen
8 Comments
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One more thing to be thankful for. People in the world who share their blessings.
Thank you.
Nannette
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Simply said, and so beautifully pictured. Your words inspire joy in life!
Sue -
Wow! How many ends is that?
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I am so happy that you had a Thanksgiving of family and good food, Karen. I imagine the pecan pie was all the sweeter for the help!
Thank you for sharing with us.
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Thankfully No Cartoon
- By Karen
- November 20, 2018
- 13 Comments
My small tapestry isn’t following a cartoon. This time, I am making it up as I go. It’s an exercise in spontaneity, which is good for someone who is most comfortable when she knows exactly what comes next.
I know enough of the fundamentals of tapestry weaving that I can “wing it.” It also helps that I have enough past mistakes in my experience to have learned a few things. Think of this improvisation as another dimension of practice. A challenge that turns into a learning experience. I have much to learn, so I’m thankful for the experience.
Sometimes life’s turns give us some weaving to do without a comfortable cartoon to follow. We make it up as we go. An exercise in spontaneity? Yes. Even in this, though, we see the improvised design emerge. Give thanks. The Grand Weaver who taught you how to get this far has your learning experience in mind when He brings you to another challenge. Knowing we have much to learn, let’s give Him thanks!
May you learn enough to enjoy “winging it.”
Happy Thanks-Giving,
Karen
13 Comments
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Nice tapestry. I love free form weaving. What loom is that that you are using. Pretty cute.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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Good morning Karen,
What pretty colors to work with thanksgiving week.
Thank you.
Nannette -
Your message is beautiful and always needed.
Thanks -
Love this! I’m working on a tapestry at the moment too
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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Tried and True: Threading Eight Shafts
- By Karen
- November 13, 2018
- 8 Comments
Threading four shafts is straightforward because the heddles fit perfectly between four fingers and a thumb. Threading eight shafts is tricky because we don’t have that many fingers! Thankfully, threading eight shafts can be as straightforward as threading four shafts. I like to think of it as four shafts in the back, and four shafts in the front.
For a review of threading four shafts, watch the short video in this post: You Can Prevent Threading Errors.
Threading Eight Shafts – Straight Draw
- Set a small group of heddles apart on each shaft to prepare for threading the next group of ends.
- Pick up the next threading group of ends and bring it to the front, on the left side of the separated heddles.
- Lace the threading group of ends under, over, under, over the fingers of your left hand, palm up.

Left hand becomes tensioning device for threading the heddles. I like to put my index finger in between the two parts of the cross, as separated by the lease sticks.
- Wrap left hand index finger around the group of heddles on shaft one (the shaft nearest the back of the loom), the middle finger around heddles on shaft two, the ring finger around heddles on shaft three, the pinky around heddles on shaft four, and bring the thumb around to hold it all loosely together.

Each warp end is taken in order from between the lease sticks, and then threaded through the heddles in order.
- Thread the first four heddles—1, 2, 3, 4.
- With the right hand, hold the group of warp ends taut, and open the fingers of the left hand to release the heddles.
- Keeping the group of warp ends loosely laced around the fingers, slide the left hand toward you to thread the next four heddles—5, 6, 7, 8. Position your fingers around the heddles on each shaft, as you did for the first four shafts.

Left hand slides toward the front of the loom to thread the next four heddles. It helps to hold the warp ends taut with the right hand while the left hand is repositioned.
- After threading the second set of heddles, follow the same procedure as before and slide the left hand back again to thread 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Continue sliding the left hand forward and back, until the threading is completed for that group of ends.
- Check the threading group for accuracy, and then tie the group of ends together in a loose slip knot.
Complete the threading across the warp. And then, step back and admire the beauty of a beamed and threaded loom.

Threading is complete. Cotton throw. 8/2 cotton, undulating (wavy) twill on eight shafts.
May you find efficient methods for the work of your hands.
Happy weaving,
Karen
8 Comments
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Love those colors, can’t wait to see finished
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Good morning Karen,
I really appreciate it when you post photos of your weaving space. It answers many unspoken questions about how to design a work area.
The space has a tile floor with a rug placed immediately under the loom.
There are no electronics to be seen.
The floor is clean of lint.
Plenty of natural light, with a view.
Thank you.
Nannette
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Good morning, Karen!
I am going to print and keep the information on the post since I have plans to order and 12 shaft Louet Delta after Christmas. I haven’t even threaded more than 4 shaft so this post is much needed!
Thank you so much for sharing yourself with the weaving world. I have learned a great deal from you.
May your hands always be busy weaving. -
Exactly how I do it! I just posted a video of me threading last week on Instagram. lol.
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Casita Tapestry
- By Karen
- November 9, 2018
- 14 Comments
As Steve and I sign off little by little from activities and responsibilities here in Houston, the taste is bittersweet. Bitter, because moving away from time-tested friends is heart wrenching. Sweet, because an unknown exciting adventure awaits. Bitter, because unknown is uncomfortable. Sweet, because heart-connected friendships are treasures that distance can’t destroy. Bittersweet, but not bitter-ness, or sugary-sweet pretense. It’s life. Texas hill country living and Casita adventures are less than a month away! It’s all good.

Large Glimåkra Freja tapestry frame and expressive tapestry weaving.

Adventures are coming soon…
We will pick up our new little pearl the day after Steve retires and pull it to our hill country home.
May you have friends by your side when you face bittersweet seasons.
All the best,
Karen
14 Comments
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What an exciting time for you and your husband. I hope your long-standing friends visit you in the Hill Country; something exciting for them. Wishing you all the best!
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Our guild is holding a mini workshop on tapestry weaving in January. After seeing your tapestry weavings I am so anxious to try something new !! Not that I need anything new to add to my already long list. LOL.
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Blend, blend, blend, … Surprise, solid black wheels. Nice.
Transition, gotta roll with it.
First snow of the season came this morning. The background went from golds and browns to white. Gardening season is over. Weaving begins.
Blessings.
Nannette
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New adventures can be exciting. If God has called you to go then you will be following his will. Blessings and safe travels!
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New adventures. I love it. I for one am one of the ppl Steve has invited, So be looking for me! He will be greatly missed here.
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How long do it take to drive between Houston and your Hill Country home? What is your closest big city now? The Wikipedia article about Texas Hill Country says it covers 25 counties. Sounds interesting to explore!
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I’m in Bandera. Must be fairly close. There’s also a wonderful town called Comfort. Awesome, but sometimes expensive antique stores
What a lovely blog friend! Most likely, she couldn’t think of anyone more deserving. The temporary spot is, well, perfect!
Good morning, Beth, I love meeting blog friends in person! This temporary spot feels like I’m at a weaving resort. 🙂
Happy weaving,
Karen
What a beautiful, light-filled spot for her! I’m sure she’ll be happy there.
Hi Betsy, I’ll see to it! It’s going to be a pleasure to get acquainted with her.
Love and hugs,
Karen
What a wonderful gift. The temporary space is fantastic. Love all the light and of course, our beautiful Texas views. Congratulations.
Hi Michele, I can’t think of a better place to sit at a loom! It’s going to be a joy.
Thanks,
Karen
That is something I’ve wanted to do too – drawloom weaving. I heard that Glimakra is designing a drawloom attachment right now that will fit their little Julie countermarche loom. Eager to see and hear about your new adventure!
Hi Lynette, I have so much to learn. It will be an adventure indeed. I’m glad to hear that you’re interested.
I know you can put a drawloom on the Ideal, but I hadn’t heard that about the Julia.
Happy weaving,
Karen
I saw my first drawloom this past weekend at Heritage Fair in Waco. The loom was so big and tall! A hangar is a good place for one. I couldn’t even begin to figure out how to weave with it. I am looking forward to hearing and seeing your adventures on this, Karen.
Hi Annie, That’s the very loom that got me interested in drawloom weaving! My three times of weaving at Homestead on that loom got me hooked.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Wow!!
So much to learn. I look forward to your posts as you explore the new loom.
Nannette
Hi Nannette, It’s another part of our ongoing adventures! Thanks for your interest.
All the best,
Karen
Wonderful big step! Wonderful story! Thank you
Hi Vivian, It’s sweet to have you along on this journey!
All the best,
Karen
Karen
I am also looking for a drawloom or a suitable loom I can convert, if you should come across one in the future would appreciate if you keep me in mind.
Janet
Hi Janet, Where do you live? I’ll let you know if I hear of anything.
This gives me a great idea for a future post – Where to look for used weaving equipment.
Thanks,
Karen
I’m just down from Red Scottie fibers but willing to take a road trip. Thanks Karen, still loving the rug I made with you at Debbie’s 🙂
Oh Hi, Janet, I didn’t recognize your email address. 🙂 I will keep an eye out for you.
Karen
Thank you for another wonderful post. The first few pictures remind me of my recent purchase, move and set up of my Glimakra loom. You inspired me to learn to weave on a Glimakra loom and I took the plunge. I’m close to finishing setting at my “new” loom and taking her for a test spin – just tying up treadles is left and we are ready to go (I think). It is always a pleasure to learn from you. Blessings, Ruth
Hi Ruth, That’s Fantastic! Oh, you have a wonderful learning journey in front of you. Enjoy the ride!
Let me know if I can assist in any way!
Love,
Karen