When guests come through our front door, this stately 120cm Glimåkra Standard Countermarch loom is the first thing they see. Many folks have never seen a weaving loom. “That looks so complicated,” they say.
The appeal of a Swedish countermarch loom is its simplicity. Pieces of wood, held together with a few wedges, form the frame for an efficient system of synchronized moving parts. “Step on a treadle and see what happens,” I tell them. When you move one part, something else moves, which then causes other parts to move. Now you can send a shuttle through an opening in the threads and weave cloth. “Wow! That’s amazing,” they say. I smile and think, “Yes, it is.” It may be complex, but it’s not complicated.
The world looks complicated. What does God in heaven see when he looks on us? Does he see a complicated mess? God sees us through his eyes of love. We’ve all gone our own messy ways. He loved us anyway and gave his son Jesus to save us from our selfish ways. He appeals to us with this simplicity: say yes to Jesus and no to self. This one move sets things in motion and changes everything! God’s world may be complex, but it doesn’t need to be complicated.
May you be drawn to simplicity.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Wow. That’s a monster loom. I use a clothes drying rack. I switched to card weaving for a while. I read your article on weaving 2 layers & I’ve been trying to figure out how to do it with card weaving. Any ideas?
Laura
PS Thank you for all the information you share!
Hi Laura, This is a large loom and that makes it really efficient at weaving all things large or small. 🙂
I have never done card weaving, so I don’t have an answer to your question. Keep it up! You’re dipping your toes into a wonderful weaving world.
Happy weaving,
Karen
I weaved rugs on a clothes drying rack. Folds up when not in use :-). I had to use heddle strings & turn the pattern into a pick-up. Next time I will add 2 heddle strings to every thread – one to pull up & one to pull down on the threads to make sure they’re all in correct position. Card weaving gives you faster gratification 🙂 & draw-in is less of an issue. After many trials I use a time-consuming way to set it up so that my threads aren’t bunched together. I learned a few new techniques in the last few days & I have an idea how to do double weave on my drying rack. Have fun weaving!
Sounds fascinating, Laura!
Have fun,
Karen
Karen,
You have built a beautiful house for your beautiful loom. They look good together, and you must enjoy every day sharing their space(s).
Maureen
Thank you, Maureen, I am very grateful to have a home in a beautiful setting and a place for looms. I do enjoy this place every day!
Blessings,
Karen
I had to laugh when I saw the photos. My Glimåkra 120cm Standard, sister to your loom, also sits by the front door which opens directly into our living room. When we’ve had the occasional Hispanic workmen, they always light up when they see it, seemingly taking great pleasure in recognizing it for what it is. They alway stroke the beater and have a good look at the cloth. It tickles me to see their happiness and to share
a moment of kinship.
Hi Joanna, I am so happy to know my Glimåkra 120cm Standard has a sister! These looms make a lovely welcoming nod to all who enter. It is fun when someone has some family history with weaving looms. That has happened here, too, and I do enjoy those encounters.
Karen