How can I beam a warp using weights instead of a helper?
Beaming with weights is my preference, even if I have help. After attaching the warp to the apron rod of the warp beam, and with lease sticks in place between the back beam and the beater, unroll the warp on the floor out beyond the breast beam as far as your space will allow. The warp is passing through the reed or raddle in the beater and is on top of the breast beam. If you have a knee beam or foot rest, put the warp around it. Put a towel under each bout and a weight on the warp. As you turn the warp beam handle, winding the warp onto the warp beam, the weight moves towards the loom, holding tension on the warp. Use a weight which is appropriate for the warp you are using (20 – 60 lbs is the usual range). Rug warps need more weight than fabric warps. Wool warps use less weight than cotton warps. Use a separate weight for each bout. So, if you are beaming a 3 foot wide warp, you might have four bouts and four weights (8 -16 lbs each). All the bouts should be the same width and all t
