Having  experimental fun with the Saori comb reed, I’m playing with air and  woven gaps in the weave. It’s so easy to organise a  forced warp cramming effect into the cloth. And the best thing is that I can quickly place the warp back into its original position or change the crammed selections whenever. The reed has a removable cap that allows all this to happen. Here is an example, by Terri from Saori Salt Springs, Canada and another using it on a non-Saori loom. Here is another interesting application of its use.

In many of these examples the comb reed replaces the conventional reed in the reed race. However I find it more expedient to use it as an additional reed doubling up with the original threaded conventional reed on the loom. Much more flexible, quick to change warp positions and to return to the original weave set up. With the low dentage at 2 dpc (dents per centimetre) it can also be used in the non-comb effect way for highly textured and chunky warps which aren’t as happy in reeds with a high dent.

I haven’t used this comb reed much before now but I’m finding it rather interesting and has lots of potential in how it could be applied in my work. I think a linen or hemp thread might work very well too. I’ll see where this experiment takes me.