Converting an Inkle loom for Saori style weaving

I’ve done ALOT of weaving on inkle looms over the years and even had a comprehensive exhibition with them many years ago. I think the inkle loom is another very accessible loom for new weavers. It’s only  drawback for some, is it’s limit in width.

By default, the inkle loom does warp faced weaves. This means the warp (the thread under tension)  is so close together that the weft threads aren’t seen.  Beautiful pick up patterning can be done on this type of set up. But to force the warp threads apart you need to convert the loom with ‘spacers’ so you can weave the weft to and fro, to display its own ways.

To do this you need some plastic tubing that fits snuggly around the heddle peg and the top peg. I’ve  adaptated  a method I learnt in Lavinia Bradley’s wonderful Inkle Weaving book. You can cut the tubing into rings or place deep slits into the tubing as I have done.

My motivation for doing this is that I have to travel shortly and will be ‘naked’ without a loom. This little inkle loom will fit into my bag and easily convert, with this method, into a balanced weave  loom when and if I want.

I’ve had a few people ask me about Saori and how it is different to ‘normal’ weaving. I have to say that it isn’t different and also that it is. It’s more about the approach to weaving and creating with weave combined with a freer mix of techniques within the one textile. I now find myself drawn to yarns and their structure rather than weaving draft patterns when I go to set up a weave. This is a nice place to be at times and having both at my fingertips makes me a lucky weaver indeed.