Starting a weaving project

Some of you may be interested in the process for weaving on a rigid heddle loom  - like the one I have.
So, as I was putting the warp thread on the loom, I took some pictures of the process. This is the process known as direct warping. It is my favorite way to warp my looms.

I started by fastening the loom to the table (no picture) with the clamps that came with it.  Next I attached the warping peg to the back of a chair (as you will see later.)  Then from the back of the loom, I tie the warp yarn to the bar called the apron rod. It is then fed through the slots in the loom and around the warping peg.

Notice the lavender arrow pointing to that rubber band?  That is the last slot I will put yarn through.



From the back apron rod, through the heddle and around the warping peg(which is barely visible here.)













When you finish doing this through all the slots you are using, it is time to tie off the yarn on the back apron rod. You just cut it and tie the end onto the rod tightly.

Now is the time to tie a "choke" on the warp bundle near the  warping peg. I tie it in a figure eight so that the sides don't mingle and possibly tangle.

See the warping peg here.

Then I slide the yarn off the warping peg. The instructions tell me to cut it here. However, I don't cut it just yet. First I wind it onto the back beam. It helps to have an assistant to keep the tension even, but I have discovered that I can tie a full gallon jug to it and let the jug put the pressure on the warp.
As I wind it on, I put paper to keep the warp even on the beam. (it prevents tangles and uneven tension)  My choice of paper is brown kraft paper.
Here is a picture of the warp on the back beam.

You can see the brown paper rolled around the beam where the yarn goes down and disappears.
---Tomorrow:  the next steps to getting ready -putting threads through the holes; tying onto the front apron rod and adjusting the tension AND - weaving in scrap yarn (and why do I do that?)

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