I have been super lucky! I grew up in NH and always known about Harrisville. In fact, I went to preschool in Harrisville! I lived in Maryland as a young adult, and found a lap loom from Harrisville for 19.99! What a great deal! I also recently (2019 maybe) found a table Harrisville loom probably around $20-$25 at a local discount fabric shop. In 2014 I moved back to NH. I have not gotten to work with them yet. I'm still unpacking from the last move.❤❤❤
Great points. I continue to hear the $100/shaft price myth 2 years later. I actually replied to a reddit post repeating this myth with a lot of the exact points you make in this video. Regarding number of shafts, you can always use fewer shafts in a given project. Generally (except models like the Schacht 4Now4Later) a given loom can't be expanded, so if you ever want to do more complex weaves, you would need to buy a new loom (or trade up) if you decide you want to do patterns requiring more shafts. With regard to weaving width, you can always do doubleweave to increase the weaving width, but that basically divides the effective number of shafts in half with respect to patterns. The price you pay for a used loom can be heavily dependent on location. Floor looms are generally very heavy, so a private seller isn't going to ship, which means local pickup. Thus if the area doesn't have a weaving community, demand may be low, which drives price down.
Thank you for the suggestions! I a couple of floor and table looms and this prevented me from buying another just to make blankets. I will try doing panels like you suggested!
Your info is very helpful, I'm looking into getting another 4-8 shaft loom, small. I'm a newbie but so far I love weaving, using a rigid heddle loom and I'm not crazy about using the pick up sticks. By the way, I'm from Lebanon PA so we are kind of neighbors.
I just received a Harrisville Design 4 shaft loom. It was given to me through a lady in our local guild. I actually didn’t know her but she delivered and assembled. I do need some parts (2 lamms and 2 harness frames) but since the Harrisville is still in business I was happy to take it.
Used looms can have different parts than new ones, even from the same brand. They also often don't carry replacement parts for your model. Learning the hard way here.
Honestly, I never even considered a used loom as a possibility. I figured either people use them, or have no idea what they are so they just sit in the corner of grandma's house.
There are many used looms for sale. Yes sometimes people don't know what grandma did and now are selling this "thing" to others who know what a loom is. Do your research and ask questions.
I have question if you dont mind. I am planning to weave a cloth with a thousand threads. Can a 8 shaft jack loom handle it or would the treadles be too heavy to lift? Thank you in advance
It most likely depends on the loom you have and the width. If it has texlov heddles then the shafts would be lighter and easier to treadle. Also how many threads per shaft. If evenly distributed it would be 125 per shaft. Which would be fine for a loom with metal heddles.
Unfortunately I don’t have a counter balance loom to use for classes. If you have one I could offer assistance. I learned to weave on a counter balance loom.
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I have been super lucky! I grew up in NH and always known about Harrisville. In fact, I went to preschool in Harrisville! I lived in Maryland as a young adult, and found a lap loom from Harrisville for 19.99! What a great deal! I also recently (2019 maybe) found a table Harrisville loom probably around $20-$25 at a local discount fabric shop. In 2014 I moved back to NH. I have not gotten to work with them yet. I'm still unpacking from the last move.❤❤❤
Good for you. I hope you get to do some weaving soon.
Great points. I continue to hear the $100/shaft price myth 2 years later. I actually replied to a reddit post repeating this myth with a lot of the exact points you make in this video.
Regarding number of shafts, you can always use fewer shafts in a given project. Generally (except models like the Schacht 4Now4Later) a given loom can't be expanded, so if you ever want to do more complex weaves, you would need to buy a new loom (or trade up) if you decide you want to do patterns requiring more shafts.
With regard to weaving width, you can always do doubleweave to increase the weaving width, but that basically divides the effective number of shafts in half with respect to patterns.
The price you pay for a used loom can be heavily dependent on location. Floor looms are generally very heavy, so a private seller isn't going to ship, which means local pickup. Thus if the area doesn't have a weaving community, demand may be low, which drives price down.
Thank you for your comments.
Thank you so much! Really liked the illustration with the knitting needles. It was a real eye opener for me
Glad it was helpful! It seems there are knitters who are also interested in learning to weave.
This was very informative I am currently looking at purchasing a 8 shaft counter marsh loom. Always love when your dog sneaks into the video to.
Glad it was helpful! Yes Maggie is everywhere. Hope you find the loom you are looking for.
Thank you for the suggestions! I a couple of floor and table looms and this prevented me from buying another just to make blankets. I will try doing panels like you suggested!
You are so welcome! I love the table cloths I made this way. We use them all the time.
I got a free home made ridgid heddle loom and it works, I have been using it. I'm also in process of making a 3D printed ridgid heddle loom.
Wow - So many things can be done now with 3D printers.
@@MargeryErickson there are a lot of free 3D printable files online. I've also use the 3D printer at work a lot, I'm a mechanical engineer.
Thank you. I have used a table loom and a rigid heddle and now I am looking for a table loom for my home. This was very informative.
Glad it was helpful!
Your info is very helpful, I'm looking into getting another 4-8 shaft loom, small. I'm a newbie but so far I love weaving, using a rigid heddle loom and I'm not crazy about using the pick up sticks. By the way, I'm from Lebanon PA so we are kind of neighbors.
Thank you. Yes you are not far. The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen has a show in Lititz June 22&23. Stop in if you can.
Thank you! Excellent information.
Glad it was helpful!
I just received a Harrisville Design 4 shaft loom. It was given to me through a lady in our local guild. I actually didn’t know her but she delivered and assembled. I do need some parts (2 lamms and 2 harness frames) but since the Harrisville is still in business I was happy to take it.
My first loom and enjoyed learning to weave on it. Good thing they are still in business so you can get parts.
Great info, thank you!😘
You are so welcome!
Used looms can have different parts than new ones, even from the same brand. They also often don't carry replacement parts for your model. Learning the hard way here.
Yes that is so true.
Very good information, thank you Margery Erickson
Thanks for watching!
Thank you! ❤
You're welcome 😊
Honestly, I never even considered a used loom as a possibility. I figured either people use them, or have no idea what they are so they just sit in the corner of grandma's house.
There are many used looms for sale. Yes sometimes people don't know what grandma did and now are selling this "thing" to others who know what a loom is. Do your research and ask questions.
I have question if you dont mind. I am planning to weave a cloth with a thousand threads. Can a 8 shaft jack loom handle it or would the treadles be too heavy to lift? Thank you in advance
It most likely depends on the loom you have and the width. If it has texlov heddles then the shafts would be lighter and easier to treadle. Also how many threads per shaft. If evenly distributed it would be 125 per shaft. Which would be fine for a loom with metal heddles.
@@MargeryErickson Okay thanks!
❤❤❤
Thank you.
Thank you
I hope this helped.
Do you have classes on counter balance looms
Unfortunately I don’t have a counter balance loom to use for classes. If you have one I could offer assistance. I learned to weave on a counter balance loom.