Help needed – Problem making a warp with 2 threads at a time

[Mary Godfrey]

Hi Jane

I have made a mistake when making a 5 metre warp with 2 threads at a time for log cabin. I assumed I needed to split the two threads when making the cross, but when I have come to put it on the loom, I discovered that there was no loop at the end to attach to the beam.  I have lost half of the cross. Its the same at both ends of my warp chain. Any suggestions for how I can rectify this?  Should I have just made a cross without splitting the two colours?

any helpful suggestions gratefully received or I will have to abandon all that yarn!

best wishes

Mary

[Sandra]

Hi Mary, I’m trying to get a visual in my mind.  Did you secure your cross before you removed it from your warping board or mill?  Did you tie your new thread to the completed one before you continued winding – light to dark, dark to light, etc.?  Can you take a photo and post it here, to show us what you are describing, it might help us see what’s happening.

[Mary Godfrey]

Hi Sandra

I did both of those things. I have now worked out why it went wrong, but it’s hard to explain. Between the cross and the end post I somehow created another cross without realising it. So when I inserted my cross sticks I had one cross, but below it, when there would normally be one clean loop to attach to the beam stick, there was another cross with either a loop on the stick or a loop floating. It was impossible to get them back into the right order. Very tangled.

So, I have found a way around this, I think. I have used the other end of the warp (thank goodness I put in cross ties at both ends) to attach to the beam stick, but I have had to cut and tie it in the same way as I would when attaching to the apron at the front. Once I have spread it through the saddle (built -in on the Megado) I will adjust the bunches of knots to be very fine, and use thick paper when winding the warp to minimise the bumps. See photo.

For next time I do a warp with alternating colours (eg. double weave,  log cabin) should I just keep the two threads together and make a cross with 2 threads?

Thank you

Mary

[Sandra]

I see what you have done, Mary – and can tell you – it’s not the first time it’s happened to a weaver 😉  Did you create the cross at the other end on your warping board or did you create it after you took it off?  I’m just curious …..

I would do surgeon’s knots when tying it onto your warp rod to make sure the warp withstands the stress of winding it on.  Next time – definitely keep your threads together if they are the same colour.  I would also review the video where Jane talks about warping with multiple ends in your warp, Season 1, Episode 1.3.

Keep us posted on your progress!

[Mary Godfrey]

Thanks again. I always tie the crosses at both ends, just in case.
I didn’t know about the surgeons knot so I looked it up. Thanks for the tip.

It’s so great to have this help online. Well worth my subscription.  ☺️

[Mary Godfrey]

Success!!! 

[Sandra]

👏👏👏

[Mary Godfrey]

I thought you’d like to see the end result. Thanks again

Mary

ps – that’s my husband

[Sandra]

Mary, you can take a bow!  It turned out to be a beautiful example of Log Cabin.  Certainly worth your efforts in the warping and dressing the loom.  I love your colour combination and it looks great on your “in-house” model!

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