LOOM INFORMATION


TRIANGULAR LOOM SIZE

The long side of the triangle (shown at the top in the above picture) is the loom size.
This is measured from corner nail to corner nail.
If a shawl size is given as six foot, that means that the shawl was woven on a six foot loom.
Each fabric relaxes when removed from the loom and you should expect the actual measurement of your shawl to be slightly smaller.
Some fibers will relax more than others.
Because of this variance, shawl sizes are not to be expected to be exact measurement.

RECTANGULAR LOOM SIZE

Sizes for rectangle looms are given as inches by inches.
For example: 11 by 55. Again, corner nail to corner nail of each side.
In order to sucessfully weave on a rectangular loom, the length must be a multiple of the width.
As the fabric is woven on the bias, the final size may shift.
The fabric usually becomes slightly longer and narrower.

Materials nails

Rather than pegs, nails are used.
Finish nails (with small heads) are used because they are easier to loop the fiber over when weaving.
Nail holes are pre-drilled to prevent wood splitting.
Nails with larger heads may be special ordered, but are not advised for close nail spacing.

Materials wood

Triangular Looms up to 18 inches are made from a single piece of pine.
The center is cut out to make weaving easier.
Pine, Poplar, Oak, and other woods are used for rectangular looms and triangular looms 24 inches and larger.
For a slight additional cost you may specify your choice of wood.

Wood Finish

A light or natural finish is standard.
A darker finish may be specified when ordering

Nail Spacing

Nails should be spaced farther apart when using bulky fiber or if weaving with multiple strands.
Nails should be spaced closer if using fine fiber and for more experienced weavers.

Nail Spacing Rectangular Looms

Square and Rectangular looms are made with your choice of nail spacing, normally 1/4 inch.
Only rarely should a closer nail spacing be used.             1/4, 3/8, 1/2 inches

Nail Spacing Triangular Looms

Size is measured across the top (long side) of triangular looms.
Nail spacing is measured by the sides.
Triangular looms are made with 3 basic nail per inch (npi) spacings.
- We recomment Medium or Small nail spacing for most projects.

            Large                             - bulky fiber and multiple strand weaving
            Medium                         - Most weaving
            Small                             - Worsted or lighter weight

FIBER

As an artist, Lenore chooses the fibers and yarns for each piece.
Different fibers have different textures and result in a different feel to the touch.
Quality fabrics cannot be fairly displayed on an internet site because you must touch it to truly appreciate the wonderful feel of a true work of art.
Many weavers use inexpensive fibers, and therefore the end product can be sold for less.
Many of the pieces produced by Lenore contain well over one hundred dollars worth of materials.
The more textured fibers require much more time to weave.
The care and artistic flair that goes into each piece is reflected in the beauty and feel of the finished product.
Each strand is individually hand woven.
Some of these pieces take over a month to create, especially when the fabric is made of multiple strands.

DOUBLE STRAND and DOUBLE WEAVE

Both give strength and body to the fabric and allow use of finer fiber on wider spaced nails.
When removed from the loom the fabric relaxes leaving no trace of the process.
Multiple stranding is weaving two or more strands together as though weaving with one strand of fiber.
It does take longer to keep the strands alligned throughout the fabric.
If weaving with different colors or fibers, the pattern will change if the allignment changes.
This can create an attractive pattern.
Multiple weaving is weaving each strand separately, but using the nail more than once.