The Ashford Rigid Heddle Weaving Loom is great for beginning weavers! It keeps weaving fun as it's easy to warp, this loom actually warps in minutes! The Ashford Rigid Heddle is super versatile and can create a variety of projects like placemats, fabrics, garments, floor mats, scarves, pillow pillow covers and more! It is also capable of weaving complex weaving patterns. Each loom comes with 7.5 Dpi Reed, Shuttles, Clamps, Basic book: Learn to weave on a Rigid Heddle, Sley Hook, Reed Hook and 2 warp sticks.
We recommend the Ashford Book or Rigid Heddle Weaving which is a great informational guide for learning about the rigid heddle and making basic projects. Something else that is really fun is the ashford boat shuttle. This is awesome for use with the larger rigid heddle looms but not applicable for the 16 inch really as it is just too narrow. The boat shuttle uses a bobbin which you wind yarn onto and then load into the boat. The boat is then tossed across back and forth and the bobbin releases yarn as necessary, this is the most fun and way cooler than the included stick shuttle shuttles. Also make sure to get a few additional reeds so you can use different yarn for your warps. Here are a few recommendations...
5 DPI Reed - Worsted to Light Bulky Yarn
7.5 DPI Reed (1 is Included with loom) DK or Light Worsted Weight Yarn
10 DPI Reed - Sport Weight Yarn
12 DPI Reed - Fingering or Lace Weight Yarn
These are general recommendations and will create a fairly even weave which is a great starting point. So what happens if I use a thicker yarn than is recommended? You'll find it's hard to thread through the Reed and will rub badly when moving the reed and will cause problems. So...what happens if I put thinner yarn on my rigid heddle than in recommended? If you use thinner yarn say a lace weight yarn on your 5 DPI reed you will have a very lacey looking weave which may be what you are looking for but try and stay close to the recommended yarn size for each reed for an even weave when learning the ropes on your first weaving projects.
16in loom comes with (2) 14in stick shuttles
24in loom comes with (2) 22in stick shuttles
32in loom comes with (1) 30in and (1) 22in stick shuttle
48in loom comes with (1) 30in and (1) 22in stick shuttle
