If you have a loom that doesn’t have a shedding device, picking up the warp strands for every row you weave can be a tedious process.
I like to use a stick, a pin and a loop of string to open the sheds. It’s a huge time saver!
I’ve made a video tutorial on how to do this for narrow bands, but this technique also works on wider pieces, too.
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay
Pick up every other warp strand with a weaving stick (even a popsicle/craft stick or a paint stick will work).
Push that stick up to the top of the loom.
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay
Now, use a knitting needle to pick up the ~remaining~ warp strands, to open the second shed.
You’ll be going over the strands that you went under in the first shed, and under the ‘overs’.
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay
Take a loop of string (in this case, I used 2 string heddles from one of my inkle looms held together for more strength, and to make it easier to see in the video) through the open shed.
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay
Pick up the end of the loop with a kilt pin, and then lift the loop strings between each warp strand onto the pin.
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay
Take the second end of the loop up onto the pin, and close it.
Adjust the length of each section of the loop.
And, Voila! you now have a handy, dandy way of opening both sheds!
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay
Here’s a pic of the shuttles that I make by upcycling old rulers and bits of decorative trim:
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay
HOT TIPthat I mentioned in the video: If you use a file folder as the separator/background thingie between the front and back of your loom, you can use the pocket of the file folder to park your shuttle and beading needle when you’re not weaving.