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looms?

 
gardener
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I have a small Harrisville loom. I've never used it. Harrisville wants $600 for a class and that's just not really do-able. We have a local makerspace, and I've had people I know recommend that and their fiber person. I'm at the point in my life where i either want to DO the things that have always been on the list (weaving is one) or sell/disperse the equipment and books (because, yes, of course I have books about the subject) I have knotted together rugs from tshirt yarn, but no loom. Tried to make the round loom on pinterest made from a hulahoop, that didn't work.

Do I have a Peg loom? (Yes.) Bead loom? (Ditto) Others?" Yes, various others, including a fixed peg kids' Harrisville loom. Are there types of looms I should do in order?

One of the other things on my list was knitting a blanket. I started, discovered it sent me into flashbacks? I had NO idea I had trauma related to knitting, but I do. I fought through it and knitted, compulsively for six months. Then I  realized my tension isn't even. I don't like knitting when I have to be that careful, it isn't fun! So, I gave up the idea. I knitted 2 mufflers, a bunch of coasters, and then gave away most of my needles and excess yarn. Fine. I had tried knitting as a kid.

I haven't really tried weaving before and so I don't expect to find an emotional surprise related to it like I did with the knitting. But I"m a blank slate. I really don't know what to do first? I hate it when I dont' know what I don't know...

 
pollinator
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Can you post a picture please - it will give more idea of what you need to know.  Thansk
 
pollinator
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No need to do them in any specific order.   In fact if you have a multi shaft loom learning the small looms first may make it  more difficult to wrap you head around weaving on the big loom.  
Ashford, Schacht, Kelly Casanova, and Jane Stafford all have free or less expensive classes online.  Many are on YouTube including some that will walk you through making a warp, warping your loom and getting ready to weave.  IF you have a rigid heddle loom add the Yarnworker aka Liz Gibson to that list.
 
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I think we all have different ways of learning things.

If it were me, I would likely find a book with very basic, general 'how to' set up a loom (mine in particular although diverse floor looms have many similarities) and jump right in

Then, when hitting a snag or an unclear step, refer to the book...or as is more common now, ask a group or look for a video, etc.   I would avoid, if possible AI information.

For me, hands on, combined with the written word and illustrations is my starting point for most new crafts.
My preference is stumbling along in private and seeing where that leads.

Most of all, allow learning something new to be fun!

A photo or description of the Harrisville would be helpful as others have mentioned...is it a floor loom? 4 harness? jack?

One of your books will likely have a glossary that would help ID the parts of your loom.

greatest luck and enjoyment





 
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Harrisburg looms are nice! And they do have some free resources in addition to the paid classes.

I would look around your area for a weaver's guild or other fiber group. I'm the president of our local guild (despite being heavier on other fiber arts) and many of our members are delighted to come help a newby set up and get started. You mentioned you have books? Many a person has learned from books alone before the internet, and I still find them a valuable resource as they aren't trying to sell you anything (as you presumably already paid for the book).

Also look at Ravelry.com - it's a fiber arts forum, and the folks there are very helpful with questions (not to mention many useful searchable threads)
 
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In a Songbook of mine there I red a sentence: You can onlhy learn to play the Harp, if you actually play the harp.
This applies to just everything.
17 years ago I started a farm. I had no Idea about where to start and how to plan even do I was working as a project manager and knew how to plan. However, I didn'r know too much and didn't have a feeling. In the meantime we planted fruit trees, made gardens, compost, experienced with biodynamic preps and JADAM.
Lately I found out by chance that through our does and no does we had created several types of fertile carbon rich soils to a depth of 1/2m where there has been cogon with a bit of dauer humus and when challenged by a job advertisement for a Ecosystem and Habitat restoration specialist I was able to explain how to remedy their problems and later I invented a new cultivaton method: a truly no till not a as little as possible no till. And now I'm working at a project plan and I feel well doing it.
Every start is hard. If you have the will to master it, you will master it. In Germany they say: "Es ist noch kein Meister vom Himmel gefallen." = "No Master fell from heaven."
Ergo: Try, watch Tutorials, read books ... eventually take lessons. I'm also on a tight budget and did it without lessons. Also the divine diet I learned in self study, trying and error and now I'm an Expert who can control his own health condition. I know what to do in any condition. Since about 10 years I care for myself. Of course: my project plan is for creating a paradise for some families.
And forget hating - love!
 
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