[Steppes] Weaving

[AlKudsi at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/22/2006 5:21:21 AM Central Daylight Time, 
jasiwolf at gmail.com writes:
> Also, there is a weaving shop in the White Rock area and if you need the
> info on its location, I will try to get it for you.
>
White Rock Weaving is only open by appointment on the Saturdays.  No other 
stores in the area carry any weaving supplies, and the last time I was a White 
Rock, all they had were 4- and 8-harness looms, used, for sale, starting at 
about $850.  They specialize in classes, carry a limited amount of specialty 
yarns, tools and books for weavers.

I've had my Schacht inkle for the entire 20+ years I've been weaving, and 
while I've had to replace the tensioning bar (I tension HIGH), none of the pegs 
in my commercial loom have broken or popped out.  Some of the handmade versions 
made by various woodcrafters within the SCA are not quite as sturdily built.  
Stella's are, at least the ones I've seen have been.  But her high end ones, 
made of oak, are the same price as a Schacht...so.  

Jessica, I repeat my advice.  Come to one of us who are weavers.  We will be 
happy to let you try out the different kinds of looms and types of weaving.  

I didn't mention card weaving in my earlier post because, technically, you do 
not need a loom at all to do it.  You can tie off your warp to a tree, a 
table, a column, whatever, and weave.  It is rather like a backstrap loom in that 
manner.  (a backstrap being a form of soft/hard heddle loom similar to a 
ground loom, except that tensioning is formed by the weaver themself rather than 
pegs in the ground).

To my knowledge, Hobby Lobby does not carry any kind of looms except the 
little kits for children to make potholders.  That is an option, but does not give 
you a true weaving experience.  They do carry some yarns appropriate for 
inkle looms (100 cotton yarns are best), and perle cottons that they have in the 
embroidery section.  Personally, I do not recommend perle cotton for a first 
inkle project (even though it was mine).  It is more difficult to finish the 
first project, harder to get a decent edge (selvedge), and even weaving.  I 
recommend Sinfonia and Sugar 'n Cream yarns (both good chunkier cottons).  There 
are two shops catering to knitters/crocheters that have good cotton yarns, as 
well, in the Richardson/Plano area: the Woolie Ewe (at Custer and Park, I 
believe) and Yarn and Stitches (at Coit and Arapaho).

Saqra