String heddles

Next up for my new inkle loom is to test making a band with string heddles. To make the heddles I tied cotton string around the top post and heddle post, tied a square knot, and trimmed the ends.

Photo description: measureing string heddles loops on the loom, with a handful of finished loops on my hand

I made 26 heddle strings, then strung my loom with medium cotton (4) yarn with a metallic sparkle in a continuous loop 53 times, putting a heddle on every other loop and taking that loop over the top bar.

Photo description: inkle loom warped with cream colored cotton yarn and string heddles

This set up with a plain warp faced weave is making a 2” wide band, which I quite like for bag straps, especially cross-body straps.

Photo description: start of weaving, wide tooth comb on the side used to even out the start of the weave

I like the string heddles better than the laser cut rigid heddle. The shed is easy to change and doesn’t spread out the warp threads, so I’m finding it easier to keep the width more consistent. I am having trouble moving the band around the pegs when I need to weave a new section. I think when this band is done I will sand all the dowels with fine grit sandpaper and finish them again to see if they will slide better.