How to do it #
Every weaving project has a specific measurement known as “width in reed.” If the project instructions don’t provide this measurement, or you’re designing your own project, it’s easy to calculate:
number of warp ends ÷ ends per inch = width in reed
Once you know the width in reed, you can center the warp.
- Find the midpoint of your reed.
- Divide width in reed by 2—in other words, half of the width in reed. Measure out from the middle by this amount.
- Start threading the reed at this point.
For instance, your width in reed is 8 inches. You’ll measure out 4 inches from the middle of the reed.
It’s really helpful to mark the midpoint of your reed with a yarn marker. For each project that you warp, tie temporary yarn markers at the beginning and ending points.
Why to do it #
A centered warp helps you maintain an even beat. For most weave structures, the weft should always lie parallel to the front beam of your loom so that the warp and weft cross each other at 90-degree angles.
You may like to set your Cricket or Flip loom at an angle, especially if your loom is on a Cricket Stand or Trestle Stand. If the warp isn’t centered in the reed, and the loom isn’t perfectly parallel to the floor, one side of the heddle will be heavier than the other. When you beat the weft into place, it will slant. The longer you weave, the more noticeable this slanted weft will become.
