Navajo rugs, blankets and weavings
from sheep to rugs - the Loom - page 2 of 3

Design considerations

The weaver needs free and wide access to the loom, so the supporting legs are placed at outer edges of the loom and forward bracing of vertical posts is not used. Such bracing would interfere with insertion of the batten.

The loom should be rigidly built so no extraneous side motion occurs. Flat corner irons screwed to the rear of the loom frame will add bracing and accomplish this rigidity.

The loom must be constructed of lumber sufficiently heavy to provide weight which counters the pull on shed rods. The front crosspiece adds to the loom's stability.

The weaving hangs in front of the loom, so batten insertion will not be continually hindered by the vertical posts. The top and bottom beams (dowels) are therefore longer than the loom width (crosspieces), and thereby hold the warp in the desired forward position.

Construction

Nail two 2" x 4" x 42" pieces to two of the 2" x 4" x 34" crosspieces to construct the loom frame.

Screw flat corner irons to the rear of all four corners.

Nail the two 2" x 4" legs to the two remaining front and back crosspieces, to form the loom base. The base forms a box, with a 4" high leg on each side, and 2" high crosspiece on the back end and front end.

Set the loom frame inside the base and center the frame. Bolt the upright frame to the base. Drill two 5/16" holes near the bottom of each frame upright, and also through the legs of the base on each side of the loom. Insert all 4 bolts with washers, and add washers and nuts. Tighten with wrench or pliers.

Attach upper beam (dowel) to top of vertical posts with leather or pipe straps. To attach with leather, drill a hole near top side of each upright post and pass the leather through the hole and around the top beam several times. To attach with pipe straps, attach top beam by screwing the pipe straps over beam near top of upright.

Attach lower beam (dowel) to top of each leg by screwing pipe straps over the beam, and so it will rest against the bottom of the loom frame, and below the upper beam.

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