I have just set up a second heddle on my Ashford rigid heddle loom.  I have Jane Patrick's book and figured out the warping for the most part. I want to try some textures but when you move one heddle to the up or down positions do you have the other in the rest postition?  When you change colors, where do you do it, in the same shed or the next or what?  My warp threads want to stick to each other, should I only have one shed whenever I put one or the other heddle in a up or down position?  I have two heddles each of 5, 7.5, 10 and 12, what size fiber is reccommended for each and what to use for weft?  These probably seem like silly questions but they didn't occur to me til I started playing around with two heddle weaving.  Unfortunately there's not much available locally as far as classes go so it has to be pretty much self-taught trial and error!  Any basic info you can give me will be much appreciated. 

Comments

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 04:26

Sara von Tresckow

Betty Davenport's "Hands On Rigid Heddle Weaving" has information about weaving wtih two heddles as well as many other techniques. It is a classic and something you really should acquire.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 09:14

Erica

Deodar,

I'll answer as many of your questions as possible.

when you move one heddle to the up or down positions do you have the other in the rest postition?  If I remember correctly you have 3 threads that can be raised using each heddle and the third shed is raised using your stick (place behind the heddles). Without referencing the book I can't really explain which combinations you will be using. You have a lot of options Heddle 1 only, Heddle 2 only and stick only, then the heddle and stick combinations (Heddle 1 plus stick, Heddle 2 plus stick) and raising both heddles.

My warp threads want to stick to each other, should I only have one shed whenever I put one or the other heddle in a up or down position? I foudn that pulling the front heddle forward and then pushing it back helped clear the shed. A weaving sword is also useful for doing this. If you don't specifically have a swort you can use a stick shuttle or another stick to accomplish the same thing.

I have two heddles each of 5, 7.5, 10 and 12, what size fiber is reccommended for each and what to use for weft? This question actually has a lot of variables. When using two heddles your sett becomes 1.5 times the heddle's original set. So 5 becomes 7.5, 10 becomes 15, etc. Use yarns that appropriate for the sett and weave structure you are using.

Unfortunately there's not much available locally as far as classes go so it has to be pretty much self-taught trial and error!  Any basic info you can give me will be much appreciated. The great news is Jenifer from The Weaving Shed is now offering Rigid Heddle Classes on Weavolution's Cyber Fiber Online Studio! Oliver is in the process of updating the class list today, so have a peak at upcoming Rigid Heddle Classes. We can also discuss the possiblity of one on one online instruction through Cyber Fiber. Just send us a message if you're interested in this option.

Cheers,

Erica

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:59

endorph

have the video that goes along with the Jane Patrick book? I found that very helpful when I was tackling the two heddle thing. She shows using each heddle separately as well as together. You should have a clean shed - have you made sure the heddles are threaded correctly? That too can mess up the shed. Depending on how you are using the two heddles the back heddle might be at rest when using the front heddle. In order to use the back heddle the front heddle can't be at rest but will have to be kept out of the way when using the back heddle. Not sure how to explain that better.
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 18:28

fyberella

does anyone know if there are photos or pics online of what the warp looks like with 2 reeds? I just got a gilmakra emila with 2 reeds. i am going to get the above mentioned books, thanks