A
loom is a
machine or device for
weaving thread or
yarn
into
textiles. Looms
can range from very small
hand-held frames, to large
free-standing hand looms, to
huge automatic mechanical
devices.
In practice, the
basic purpose of any loom is
to hold the
warp
theads under
tension to facilitate
the interweaving of the
weft
threads. The precise shape
of the loom and its
mechanics various, but the
basic function is the same.
Weaving
- See
Weaving for more information.
- See
Textile manufacturing terminology for more
terms connected with looms.
Weaving is done by intersecting the longitudinal
threads, the
warp, i.e. "that which is thrown
across" (Old English wearp, from
weorpan, to throw, cf. German werfen)
with the transverse threads, the woof
or
weft, i.e. "that which is woven" (Old
English wefta, from wefan, to
weave, cf. German weben).
The Old English geloma and Middle
English lome meant an implement or tool of
any kind.
The earliest example with its specific meaning
quoted by the
Oxford English Dictionary is from the
Nottingham Records of 1404, but handwoven cloth
existed much earlier, perhaps as far back as 8000
B.C.
Types of looms
Warp-weighted
The earliest looms were probably vertical
warp-weighted looms, with the warp threads
suspended from a branch or piece of wood and
weighted or attached to the ground. The weft
threads would be pushed into place by hand or a
stick that would eventually become the
shuttle. At first, it was necessary to raise and
lower every warp thread one at a time, which was a
time-consuming and laborious process. Basic
techniques, such as the insertion of a rod, were
developed to produce a shed, the space
between warp threads (perhaps every other thread
would be alternately raised and lowered), so that
the weft thread or shuttle could pass through the
entire warp at once.
Ground looms
On a horizontal ground loom, the
warp would be strung between two rows of pegs. The
weaver would have to lean over in order to work, so
pit looms were developed, with the
warp strung over a pit, so the weaver could sit with
his or her legs underneath and would then be on a
level with the loom.
Frame looms
Frame looms followed basically
the same principles as ground looms. The loom was
constructed out of sticks and boards attached at
right angles (producing a box-like shape), which
meant that it was portable and could even be held in
the weaver's lap. Frame looms are still in use
today, usually as a portable, less expensive, and
compact alternative to a table or floor loom.
Backstrap looms
Backstrap looms, as the name implies, are tied
around the weaver's waist on one end and around a
stationary object such as a tree, post, or door on
the other. Tension can be adjusted simply by leaning
back. Backstrap looms are very portable, since they
can simply be rolled up and carried.
