On weights

Weights are progressing slowly.

It seems that most people who tension their warp for tablet weaving using weights tend to use fishing weights. For example, Guntram does it this way. Initially, I planned to follow his example, but it turned out that my grandfather, who was a hunter, had left behind a good amount of variously sized lead shot. Incidentally, it was a surprise to me how heavy it is, but that very property has made it exceptionally useful in the current situation. So now I am sewing small pouches and filling them with the pellets. I’m sewing by hand, so progress is rather slow.

But there’s another idea brewing as well. Once I have experimented with different weights on different yarns, I plan to order two sets of clay/ceramic weights — one lighter, and one heavier. I haven’t yet decided on the shape: whether to make them teardrop-shaped, like the older stone weights (for instance, Roman ones like the one pictured on the left — a larger version of the photo can be seen from Hadley Paul Garland here), or to go for flatter, round weights, as seen in later historical periods.

The weight itself is still under consideration. In my test tensioning, I ended up using 160 grams for four ordinary wool threads. That’s more than many weavers use: more often, a weight of five ounces is mentioned for wool — and that is slightly more than 140 grams. It’s possible that heavier weights will contribute to threads stretching out or snapping more quickly – but wee will have to see. Thinner wool, cotton and silk will have to be tried out as well.