It’s unheard of, I know. Manualizing the loom.
A method and word so unheard of that manualizing isn’t even a word! Although it’s sitting here as a conundrum with a glaring deficit of explaination.
One reference in google is to creating a manual transmission from an automatic one in a car. This is what I’m doing with my loom. Moving from the hitherto dream of a 24 shaft loom powered with a touch and having countless options of treadling via a computer screen to driving a 12 treadle foot dance operation.
Although disappointing it’s also liberating. For one, I can now boast moral superiority in the sustainability quest – swapping my electronic powered loom for one that will surely save the polar ice caps from melting. I reckon this counts even more than taking a green bag up to the shop for groceries, which is the most widely promoted action for preventing climate change (at least in Australia).
Secondly, more seriously, my sense of connection to my loom is returning. Placing every pedal, connecting every lamm, understanding why a shaft raises or lowers, and most importantly knowing what to do if the loom doesn’t perform. The loom is becoming my friend again, something I can trust. The countermarche handweaving loom is a beautiful technology. Quiet and light on the treadles. What more can you ask from your loom?
I’m interested in what other weavers ‘need’ from their looms. Do you need to trust your loom too?
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