Hello, I’m Mike. I teach many of the weaving classes here at Halcyon Yarn. Gwynn has been holding the fort (or pen) in blog-land while I’ve vacillated about doing the blog thing for all you weavers. Looks li ke I said ‘Okay I’ll give it a go!’
At this time of the year something new is much easier to sneak into my routine. Usually I start the new year in fall but as I get older I do get slower and expect that my new year may soon begin in March. Which will then put me on the Roman yearly cycle.
Before when I started my new year in fall (and now in January), I find myself looking ahead and trying to establish a plan for the year with an attached structure which allows me to get things done. My first choice is to set up a workbook; “the dullest pencil is better than the sharpest mind” or so I’ve been told. Quad ruled composition notebooks are the perfect place to get weaving ideas planted and then have room to grow. The graph paper is a natural place for threading, tie-up and treadling notations. Also, cut and paste entries make for easy editing and organization of printed materials.
Here in New England winter is a serious season. Seed catalogues have started coming already so spring is on the schedule. I think of my workbook as a seed catalogue and planner. Everything gets parked (or planted) inside.
So! Here is the customer question for this blog entry:
One of our customers called awhile back. She has a Swedish style loom and doesn’t like tying repair heddles. Her question was about using the flat steel repair heddles instead. Nope was the short answer. The question was the seed, I planted it in my workbook and what follows is what I sent her.
Elin’s Universal Repair Heddle
1.Use any size insert eye heddle.
2.Cut off both the loop ends, needle nose pliers are good and they usually have a section to snip wire. Cut just below the twisted section.
3.Now turn the straight length of the heddle, bring the cut end near the eye of the heddle. Use the needle nose pliers to twist the cut end around the section just above the eye. Repeat for the other half. When you are done, you will have a “mini” wire heddle.
4. To use, add a folded length of carpet warp to each end of the mini. Start by tying the upper half the heddle to the upper heddle bar. Line up the repair eye with the one next to it then tie the lower string. Use a bow knot to make removal recyclable or just cut it out when done.
These heddles can attach to any style loom; you control length with the carpet warp.
Post Contact:Gwynn »» See more: Advancing The Warp, General News »» 7 Comments »