Weaving Loom (retired)
Aug 23, 2009 10:15:02 GMT -5
Post by Wickfield on Aug 23, 2009 10:15:02 GMT -5
The loom: This was so much nicer than I was expecting! I knew it was plastic and thusly was awaiting the worst, but it is actually very weighty; it feels more like resin to me. It's also realistically painted to look like wood. The loom comes pre-strung (mine was a tad crooked, unfortunately, but it isn't awful), with the shed and heddle rods already attached and ready for weaving. It seems quite small next to Josefina but is a really neat display piece. A+
The yarn: The yarn is real wool and very pretty, complimentary colors. However, my yarn is THICK. It's quite off-scale. I can't tell if it's really a difference from the others' sets (it's definitely thicker than AGR's, it might be the same as GCSupergirl's), but regardless it looks odd when it's on the loom and next to Josefina. I think it's so that the girls who are actually wanting to make the blanket can get it done quicker. But I would have preferred to take my time and get a finer weave. B- UPDATE: I was looking at the yarn and was really discontent with the result, and then I decided to unravel it into two separate pieces like embroidery thread. That can be tricky but it makes your weaving look so much better if you have a new set!
The tools: The tools include a fork to push the yarn down, a batten (is that what it's called?) to separate the warp threads, a big plastic needle which I didn't get in my picture, and the shuttle. They seem a little large for Josefina but I don't know if they're supposed to be to her scale anyway. Except for the batten, which is wood, they're made of thick matte plastic and look like bone or something. Interestingly, they are stamped "Pleasant Company", I guess because of the mold. Oh, also there's a clamp to hold the loom onto a table which was a very nice addition! They do their job. A
The booklet: Normally I wouldn't have included any info on this but I wanted to mention that my set (which I just bought new from AG) has a different booklet than AGRescue's. Mine is printed entirely in black and white with a different cover; this must be a change from 2007 (that's the copyright date). Anyway, it's written in English, French and Spanish and is pretty easy to follow, with some interesting information on Navajo weaving. I didn't have any difficulties (and shouldn't, I'm 18), and I doubt I would have had trouble when I was younger. The only tricky thing is sliding the batten through the right way, but after you master that you're set. NOTE, though, the booklet does NOT tell you how to rethread the warp, so keep that in mind.
A-
The yarn: The yarn is real wool and very pretty, complimentary colors. However, my yarn is THICK. It's quite off-scale. I can't tell if it's really a difference from the others' sets (it's definitely thicker than AGR's, it might be the same as GCSupergirl's), but regardless it looks odd when it's on the loom and next to Josefina. I think it's so that the girls who are actually wanting to make the blanket can get it done quicker. But I would have preferred to take my time and get a finer weave. B- UPDATE: I was looking at the yarn and was really discontent with the result, and then I decided to unravel it into two separate pieces like embroidery thread. That can be tricky but it makes your weaving look so much better if you have a new set!
The tools: The tools include a fork to push the yarn down, a batten (is that what it's called?) to separate the warp threads, a big plastic needle which I didn't get in my picture, and the shuttle. They seem a little large for Josefina but I don't know if they're supposed to be to her scale anyway. Except for the batten, which is wood, they're made of thick matte plastic and look like bone or something. Interestingly, they are stamped "Pleasant Company", I guess because of the mold. Oh, also there's a clamp to hold the loom onto a table which was a very nice addition! They do their job. A
The booklet: Normally I wouldn't have included any info on this but I wanted to mention that my set (which I just bought new from AG) has a different booklet than AGRescue's. Mine is printed entirely in black and white with a different cover; this must be a change from 2007 (that's the copyright date). Anyway, it's written in English, French and Spanish and is pretty easy to follow, with some interesting information on Navajo weaving. I didn't have any difficulties (and shouldn't, I'm 18), and I doubt I would have had trouble when I was younger. The only tricky thing is sliding the batten through the right way, but after you master that you're set. NOTE, though, the booklet does NOT tell you how to rethread the warp, so keep that in mind.
A-