Hello! You have arrived just in time! It’s “Sleying the Reed” Day! My favorite part of dressing the loom! (See what good timing you have?)
The project is ready to go in the reed!
When last we chatted, I had measured the yarn for a custom table runner that will lay on a high console table. Great masculine colors! Love them!
First things first! I need to slide in a pair of lease sticks that will keep the yarns in order.
Sliding in the lease sticks
Lease sticks are 2 sticks with holes in each end. It’s just that simple! But, let me tell you, all of us weavers would be crying without them! By sliding them into the project where I’ve made my cross (which tells me what yarns come next), I avoid lots of sadness and swearing. Without them, yarns get tangled and I have no idea what order the yarns are supposed to be in! So, Mr. or Mrs. Lease-Stick-Inventor, we owe you big!!!
Keeping the cross!
And in comes the reed! A reed is a metal frame with dividers spaced evenly from end to end. I use either a 12 dent reed (which means there are 12 spaces in each inch) or an 8 dent reed for bigger yarns or bigger spaces between the yarns.
All the players are in place!
The plan is to create the runner using rep weave, or ripsmatta. It’s just fun to say, isn’t it? Ripsmatta… those Swedes can be so playful! Anyways, this type of weave is very dense. So, instead of placing 1 yarn in each slot or dent, I’ll be threading 2 in each!
2 yarns per slot
1/2″ groups of yarn
I can usually just slide the yarn right in. But, there have been times when a sley hook comes in handy! A sley hook is a metal tool with hooks on each end. You pop the sley hook up into the dent, wrap the yarn around it, and pull it through! Brilliant!
Only a 9″ wide project!
Typically, I’m filling the entire reed. But, this is a much narrower project. So, it was critical that I centered everything.
Fingers crossed they are all in the right spot!
Ready to merge with the loom!
Next up, the reed will slide right into the loom and all will be right with the world! I’ll tackle some heddles next… Good times!! Have a great week..
This is an interesting post for me, I dress my loom from back to front so when I’m sleying my reed it is the next to last step. I tie it off and weave. Nice blog.
Hi Jo! I think it’s fascinating the millions of different ways to dress a loom! And for each weaver, contemplating doing it different seems completely awkward! I’m glad you enjoyed the post! Thank you for the compliment! chris
Dear Chris, Your delightful explanations/commentaries are just too funny! e.g.,
* (by using lease sticks) I avoid lots of sadness and swearing. * It’s just fun to say, isn’t it? Ripsmatta… those Swedes can be so playful! YOU are so fun and playful! See you Saturday– Lizz
Wishing you peace, love, light, and the joy living of an Inspired life!
Dear Lizz, thank you so much for your lovely compliments! It is always wonderful to hear that someone is not only reading, but enjoying your blog! It was great to see you on Saturday! Have a good one! chris