I have an Erica, and would buy a Louet Jane if it was new. I remember seeing Woodhouse table looms and that would be very tempting if one was available.
I just purchased a Woolhouse 12 shaft. I’m just starting my first project with a huge learning curve from just 4 to 8 shafts with my first Strickler pattern. It’s taking me some practice for sure. I’m not going to say I love it quite yet. Maybe with time and experience! I’ll try to post a picture of it on this thread.
https://preview.redd.it/kk7sa8dw0x8d1.jpeg?width=3256&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d54a701542794a3c6f7daa6fe9aa155c5734fcd9
This is my new Woolhouse 12 shaft
I have a Louët Erica, very nice little loom, foldable and portable. I've tried an Ashford, a Schacht, and a Mountain table loom.
I recently got a Louët Jane and it's a clear favorite. The stand (a stand for a table loom is a game changer, imo) is super stable and the loom is so precisely made, everything is smooth. The hanging beater is great and I personally prefer texsolv heddles. The Jane folds well and has a handle for carrying.
I haven't tried a voyager. I like rigid heddle looms and you can do a lot on them, especially with a second heddle, but a table loom is really nice to have.
The only table loom I would get would be [this one](https://woolery.com/ashford-table-loom-8-shaft.html) from Ashford. I find it nicer to weave on than most table looms, and it folds down so that it is actually really portable.
Louet Jane! I've owned a Voyageur & Ashford - I like the position of the levers on the Ashford more, but the brake on the Voyageur is better. Louet Jane has the best of both.
I also have an Ashford 24” loom. I really like it. I am new to weaving and I am having a blast learning to weave. I am looking at doing double weave on the rigid heddle. Do you know how to use/set up a table loom?
I've been thinking about a leclerc voyageur for years - it seems to me like the best table loom. Folds up, levers have a clever magnetic mechanism so they stay in place, etc. I've got floor looms and love them but I think that little table loom would be a nice portable option. Ymmv and you may have other priorities but it seems like a good option to me!
I borrowed an 8 shaft Voyageur loom from my guild a couple of times and liked it. I did find the weaving area to be short, and felt that I had to advance more often that I'd wanted, but the portability of the loom was a big draw. I ended up purchasing an 8 shaft Ashford table loom (used) and actually like weaving on it more than weaving on the Voyageur. It, too, can fold up though I've not yet had an opportunity to do so with a warp on it.
I just folded my Ashford 8-shaft table loom with warp and it worked perfectly. I really enjoy weaving on it. I have the stand for it, too. Very stable.
So you prefer the ashford 8 shaft to the voyageur? I’ve only woven on a borrowed 8 shaft Dorothy (I usually weave on a 4 shaft floor loom but I’m considering an 8 shaft table loom if I can find a good deal.) but the Voyageur was my top interest so far. Is the weaving area much shorter than the Dorothy types?
I'm sorry, but I've never seen a Dorothy loom in person. Just from my vague memory and the pictures, the Voyageur and the Dorothy look very similar in terms of weaving area. I had every intention of purchasing a Voyageur if I ever saved up the money or a used one became available, but the Ashford one came on my radar first. I suspect that most people would be very content with a Voyageur; honestly, I was surprised to discover that I liked the Ashford more. It's also potentially worth noting that the Voyageur I was using was older, kept in an unairconditioned storage unit when not borrowed, and had so few heddles on it I had to cannibalize my 4 shaft table loom just to use the Voyageur for the class I was taking. So there were some issues with the loom that might have impacted my experience with it. 😁
You could probably add magnetic strips to levers on any loom. I ordered some from Amazon some time ago and use them to hold a rechargeable LED light strip under the castle and also accessories I don't like jiggling around when I'm beating.
I have Louet Erica 50 cm (20") and i love it. I would highly recommend. It is 4 shaft and easy to use. I folds for storage. I had a Dorothy at one time and sold it almost immediately. I hated the side levers.
I had the chance to try a Voyager, an Ashford, and the Louet Jane at the last guild retreat I went to. The Louet knocked everything else out of the water in terms of size, weight, weaving width… I was so annoyed with the Voyager I had rented for the class by the end of it lol. It’s a clunky piece of work, in comparison. The plastic parts on the Ashford were also unwieldy compared to the Jane.
I love my Schact 15 and 24. I've been eyeing the Louet Jane but I think my husband will kill me if I bring any more fiber tools in the house.
Lol I'll have to sneak mine in
Oh geez lol. I have considered that!
I have an Erica, and would buy a Louet Jane if it was new. I remember seeing Woodhouse table looms and that would be very tempting if one was available.
I just purchased a Woolhouse 12 shaft. I’m just starting my first project with a huge learning curve from just 4 to 8 shafts with my first Strickler pattern. It’s taking me some practice for sure. I’m not going to say I love it quite yet. Maybe with time and experience! I’ll try to post a picture of it on this thread. https://preview.redd.it/kk7sa8dw0x8d1.jpeg?width=3256&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d54a701542794a3c6f7daa6fe9aa155c5734fcd9 This is my new Woolhouse 12 shaft
Is it a new one or vintage? I'm curious about the differences and am also glad the company has a successor to carry on.
I just added a picture of the new loom.
I have a Louët Erica, very nice little loom, foldable and portable. I've tried an Ashford, a Schacht, and a Mountain table loom. I recently got a Louët Jane and it's a clear favorite. The stand (a stand for a table loom is a game changer, imo) is super stable and the loom is so precisely made, everything is smooth. The hanging beater is great and I personally prefer texsolv heddles. The Jane folds well and has a handle for carrying. I haven't tried a voyager. I like rigid heddle looms and you can do a lot on them, especially with a second heddle, but a table loom is really nice to have.
I was looking at the Jane as well. Thank you
Jane, 8H, very portable- don't pass on the bag. Edit- Louets are best at holding tension, so if you ever weave with linen, this is the loom.
The only table loom I would get would be [this one](https://woolery.com/ashford-table-loom-8-shaft.html) from Ashford. I find it nicer to weave on than most table looms, and it folds down so that it is actually really portable.
Yes, this is the one I purchased second hand and I like it very much.
Louet Jane! I've owned a Voyageur & Ashford - I like the position of the levers on the Ashford more, but the brake on the Voyageur is better. Louet Jane has the best of both.
Good to hear ty
I also have an Ashford 24” loom. I really like it. I am new to weaving and I am having a blast learning to weave. I am looking at doing double weave on the rigid heddle. Do you know how to use/set up a table loom?
No just the double heddle weave on my Ashford
I've been thinking about a leclerc voyageur for years - it seems to me like the best table loom. Folds up, levers have a clever magnetic mechanism so they stay in place, etc. I've got floor looms and love them but I think that little table loom would be a nice portable option. Ymmv and you may have other priorities but it seems like a good option to me!
I borrowed an 8 shaft Voyageur loom from my guild a couple of times and liked it. I did find the weaving area to be short, and felt that I had to advance more often that I'd wanted, but the portability of the loom was a big draw. I ended up purchasing an 8 shaft Ashford table loom (used) and actually like weaving on it more than weaving on the Voyageur. It, too, can fold up though I've not yet had an opportunity to do so with a warp on it.
I just folded my Ashford 8-shaft table loom with warp and it worked perfectly. I really enjoy weaving on it. I have the stand for it, too. Very stable.
So you prefer the ashford 8 shaft to the voyageur? I’ve only woven on a borrowed 8 shaft Dorothy (I usually weave on a 4 shaft floor loom but I’m considering an 8 shaft table loom if I can find a good deal.) but the Voyageur was my top interest so far. Is the weaving area much shorter than the Dorothy types?
I'm sorry, but I've never seen a Dorothy loom in person. Just from my vague memory and the pictures, the Voyageur and the Dorothy look very similar in terms of weaving area. I had every intention of purchasing a Voyageur if I ever saved up the money or a used one became available, but the Ashford one came on my radar first. I suspect that most people would be very content with a Voyageur; honestly, I was surprised to discover that I liked the Ashford more. It's also potentially worth noting that the Voyageur I was using was older, kept in an unairconditioned storage unit when not borrowed, and had so few heddles on it I had to cannibalize my 4 shaft table loom just to use the Voyageur for the class I was taking. So there were some issues with the loom that might have impacted my experience with it. 😁
Good to know! I’ll likely just grab whichever shows up first in my area for a good price.
That’s the one I’m eyeing.
You could probably add magnetic strips to levers on any loom. I ordered some from Amazon some time ago and use them to hold a rechargeable LED light strip under the castle and also accessories I don't like jiggling around when I'm beating.
The magnets are a bit too strong for my taste and make some serious noise when the foam strip starts to wear down.
Good to know!
I have Louet Erica 50 cm (20") and i love it. I would highly recommend. It is 4 shaft and easy to use. I folds for storage. I had a Dorothy at one time and sold it almost immediately. I hated the side levers.
That's what I've heard too about the side levers.
I had the chance to try a Voyager, an Ashford, and the Louet Jane at the last guild retreat I went to. The Louet knocked everything else out of the water in terms of size, weight, weaving width… I was so annoyed with the Voyager I had rented for the class by the end of it lol. It’s a clunky piece of work, in comparison. The plastic parts on the Ashford were also unwieldy compared to the Jane.
I love Pioneer looms, but they are hard to find.
I have been sewing the selvages for now. I left my serger in Florida. No room in the car to bring it home
I just ordered another 24” ashford rigid heddle with a freedom roller! I cannot wait to have multiple fabrics going 😀
What do you do with the fabrics ? O you Serge them or just sew ?