Warping Without A Cross
by Carrie May
Warping without a cross is very easy, and I think
faster than using a cross. I am always looking for
the quickest and easiest way to do things, especially in weaving, which is a time–consuming
process.
I must give credit to Eleanor Best, who taught me
this technique. I had never even thought of trying such a thing until she made a video about it.
I didn’t know you could make a warp without a
cross and keep the threads from tangling. I have
had much success using this technique and find
that warping goes much smoother for me this way.
The following is a picture guide to using this technique.
Tying in groups of 12
I tie in groups of 10 or 12 instead of winding on with a
cross. This is usually done about 12 to 15 inches from
the end of the warp. I tie a string between the groups.
After the warp is wound, usually a thread is tied into
the cross to keep it straight, and strings are tied about
every yard or so to keep the warp straight. I do not do
this. Instead, I tie slip knots in the warp as I take it off
the loom. This can be seen in the pictures that follow.
Step one: Winding the warp
Separating the threads
I use 3 or 4 threads at a time separated by my fingers
or a paddle. I usually make my warp in groups of 10
or 12 threads, winding so that I start and stop each
group at the bottom of the warping reel. Separating the
threads as I wind the warp helps reduce tangling.
Winding the warp
Cutting off the warping reel
I don’t have a removable peg on my warping reel, so
I have to cut the ends. I always do this anyway, and it
doesn’t bother me.
Cutting off the warping reel
After cutting each end of the warp, tie a slip knot to
hold the threads together.
Getting ready to warp the loom
Tying slip knots
Instead of chaining the warp, I tie slip knots about
every yard or so. This works wonderfully to keep the
warp neat and tangle–free, is faster than tying the warp
with strings, and quicker than making a chain. I do occasionally chain my warp if it is very long, but that is the
only time I do this.
Picking off bundles of threads
Begin by sleying the reed. Pick off the first bundle (the
last one tied on the warping reel). I usually tie a loose
knot to hold the bundles that can be easily undone
when I am threading the loom.
Tying slip knots
Step two: Warping the loom
After I take the warp off the warping board or reel, I
lay the end with the tied groups over the shafts to be
threaded. The rest of the warp, I wrap around the front
beam.
Getting ready to warp the loom
Sleying the reed
To sley the reed, pick the thread that seems to come
next. It really doesn’t matter, in a group of 10 or 12
threads there will not be much tangling. If you need
the colors in a specific order, then pick them that way.
When I wind my warp on the reel, I wind them in color
order, so picking the right color from the bundle should
not be an issue. Continue to thread and wind your warp
on the way you normally would. I think you will find you
have very few problems with tangling and your warp
should go on smoothly. Of course there are no guarantees, but this method really does work well for me.
I hope this guide is helpful to you, and that you will give
it a try! There is no right or wrong way to do this, just
what works best for you!