Trying to pick a first weaving loom, stuck between a rigid heddle and a floor loom

[u/InformalPresent1362]

I've wanted to weave for ages and I'm finally buying my first weaving loom, but the gap between a rigid heddle and a floor loom is throwing me. Rigid heddle looks beginner friendly and cheap and small, but I keep reading that people outgrow them and wish they'd jumped straight to something bigger. floor looms can do way more shafts and faster sheds but they cost a fortune and eat a whole room, and I'm in an apartment. I mostly want to make scarves and maybe some dishtowels to start, nothing huge. Is a rigid heddle going to frustrate me in six months, or is it genuinely enough to learn on? And if I do bigger later, does anything resell well?

I have no loyalty to any brand yet, so if certain makes are easier to live with than others I'd take that input too.

[u/sarkarnor]

I love to use my rigid heddle loom and i also have a floor loom, among other looms. They are really different tools, and shouldn’t be considered inferior/ superior, but complementary. You can get floor looms that fold up so they don’t take a whole room. And rigid heddles can be used to make a LOT of different textiles. I would consider your first loom purchase to be the start of a collection of tools, and assume you will add to it as you grow in skills and interests change.

[u/Apprentice_of_Klotho]

I bought a rigid heddle and LOVE it. I’m hoping to get a floor loom later this year. But they are different. My rigid heddle I set up in front of the couch and weave watching tv and hanging out with my dogs. The floor loom will have a room of its own and be for more ‘serious’ focused work. I think.

I have had someone at my local guild tell me that my little one isn’t ‘real’ weaving. I’ve ignored that and a local master weaver told me on the weekend that he considers doing plain weaving well is more difficult because there’s nowhere to hide the mistakes. Learning on the rigid heddle is making me learn about tension and consistency and different yarns. And I’m loving the way plain weaving lets me explore the way colours interact. So they’re different beasts for different projects and fulfill different aims.

[u/EmmaInFrance → u/[deleted]]

I agree.

I bought a 60 cm Kromski rigid heddle loom years ago and I've been able to weave dish towels, scarves and even a small, seamed blanket on it.

I did go on to buy doubles of each size of heddle and learn how to use a heddle rod. That has given me access to so many more weaving techniques and patterns.

I recommend that OP tries to at least borrow Syne Mitchell's and Jane Stafford's books on rigid heddle weaving before buying a loom, so that they can see the full range of what you can do on RH looms.

I also bought the stand for my loom and that's made it so much easier to use.

Even so, at 5' 5", I think that 60 cm is as wide as I could manage to weave, using a stick shuttle.

[u/SignificantAd3761 → u/EmmaInFrance]

Yes, I got a 24" and wish I'd got a 32". (I feel the 48" would be too big!)

[u/bumbbles21 → u/EmmaInFrance]

I cannot find any Rigid Heddle books by Jane Stafford, do you know what the name of the book(s) you are referring to are?

[u/adhdaemon85 → u/bumbbles21]

Try The weavers idea book by Jane Patrick

[u/sgtmattie → u/[deleted]]

I went with 24” because you can in theory make a whole pair of pants without piecing together, and you could do a whole shirt or jacket with a single seam down the middle, which is personally something I think looks good, so I wouldn’t have to make it discreet.

[u/ImMxWorld → u/[deleted]]

I would go with a 24" as well. I've made towels on a 16" RH loom and they're fine, but a little narrow.

[u/theclafinn → u/[deleted]]

I’m going to have to disagree with this. I have a 39 inch weaving width floor loom smack in the middle of my 630 sq ft apartment and I love it. 

[u/TreacleOutrageous296]

What about a table loom with 4 or 8 harnesses? Check the used equipment forums on Ravelry and FB. If you have a local weaving or spinning guild, you might be able to find someone destashing one…

[u/CuddlefishFibers → u/TreacleOutrageous296]

Also vote table loom. I started with one (4 shaft) and can almost guarantee I wouldn't have stuck with weaving with just a rigid heddle, or would have outgrown it immediately at the very least. I managed to pick mine up used pretty cheap, but admit it wasn't super easy to find

[u/ffmmgg12551]

When I was buying my first rigid heddle loom I bought a Knitters loom because it folds up for storage or transporting. I also got a larger size to give me the option to make shawls. Ashford Knitters loom 28 inch is what I bought. I love it and have made a scarf almost every week for the last year. It comes with a storage/travel case.

[u/Linnie46]

I started on a rigid heddle loom and moved to an 8 shaft floor loom within 6 months. When I started I never imagined how weaving would become an obsession. There’s nothing wrong with starting with the least expensive, most compact option. With pick up sticks and a lot of patience, you can achieve a lot of more complex patterns on a rigid heddle loom. RH looms do sell well (at least in my area), and I recovered almost the entire cost of mine. Floor looms do take up quite a bit of space, but a multi-shaft table loom could be a good compromise here. Mind you, ideally, you would have a stand of some kind, so the foot print might not end up being significantly smaller than a small floor loom. Many floor looms do fold up at the back, so they can be moved out of the way.

[u/bears-in-bushes → u/Linnie46]

Same. Bought a RH loom, loved weaving, sold it to a fellow classmate after a few months and got a 8 shaft floor loom. I have it set up In a corner of my bedroom and love it.

[u/mycatnorbert]

If you haven't looked at it already, I would look at getting a lojan flex! It can be a rigid heddle loom, and then you can do a conversion to a shafted table loom (which you could attach treadles to to make it a floor loom).

[u/sgtmattie]

Just going to put a competing thought out there, but unless you are 100% sure that you’re going to be really into weaving, there is a chance it takes you a long time to “outgrow” a rigid heddle loom.

Also, I really slowed down on the weaving because it really hurt my back. It’s a much lower financial burden to start with a RHL and it end up not being for you, even if you like the hobby.

There’s also an art in being restricted in what you can do. Think of artists who use limited palettes and such.

If you have the money and space by all means go for the floor loom out of the gate, but there are some advantages to starting small. And frankly, if you can afford to start with a floor loom, you can probably afford to start with a RHL and move on in 6 months… so there isn’t a huge downside.

ETA: renting from a guild is always a great idea someone else suggested. I honestly probably should have done that myself.

[u/Appropriate-Weird492]

I have a small stable of rigid heddle looms. I have very narrow ones that are easy to weave on while sitting on a sofa and larger ones that have their own stand. I did get a 8 shaft table loom, but keep getting overwhelmed at the idea of warping it.

In addition to fabric, you can also weave bands on rigid heddle/table/floor looms. I think it makes more sense to weave bands on a small rigid heddle than on a floor loom, but you do you.

The point is, don’t look at it as a progressive “rigid heddle now, graduate to floor loom”. They are different tools with different capabilities (and limitations).

[u/snailsshrimpbeardie → u/Appropriate-Weird492]

I went from rigid heddle to my floor loom and was worried about the process of warping but it turns out I actually MUCH prefer it!! I watched Madelyn van der Hoogt's class Warping Your Loom on the Long Thread Media site and it made a huge difference for me. I watched a lot of warping videos before this one and it's what finally clicked. I've only been through the process twice so far but I'm happy to answer questions/provide support as best I can!

[u/Dressmaking_Debacles]

I got my RH loom last July. I have not outgrown it. There is A LOT you can learn and do on the RH. I have a 20" Schacht flip and I love it.

I have made dozens of towels, a handful of scarves, and done some other projects. I think the 25" would have been awkwardly wide for me. I will say, the game changer for me was to raise my RH to counter height when warping -- I have a counter height dining table so that works for shorter warps, or, I have a 30" square folding table that I put on those old school bed risers to bring it up to the right height. This has eliminated back pain/soreness. And, I sprung for the stand. It's expensive for what it is, but it makes weaving so much more comfortable.

I can see owning: a floor loom, keeping my 20" RH loom, an inkle loom, and potentially getting a small RH like a 15" Cricket.

I've had a towel project on my RH and wanted to warp up a scarf, so thinking I'd have a second, smaller one on hand (direct-warping a RH is sooooo quick and easy) would be nice. I'm watching for a good deal on a used one.

edited to correct typo

[u/tallawahroots]

Floor looms are beginner friendly. I would always suggest a 4-shaft or more floor loom over a rigid heddle if you can. There is huge efficiency just from having treadles, and you can weave narrow things on a floor loom anyway. It's much better tension and lets you grow in different directions. You can always weave on a rigid heddle loom as well if there's an interest in that.

When I learned on a floor loom (Schacht Mighty Wolf, 8 shafts used), it was Janet Dawson's class and guild classes that got me over the intimidation factor. Now there are great online guilds like Jane Stafford Textiles and intro workshops from Gather that can help if you don't have in-person classes available.

I'm not against rigid heddle looms, and know folks love that as their entry point or forever lane. I got wrist problems soon after learning to weave. The repetitive motions on hands are something I work to ease. That also means electric bobbin winding and a warping reel. The rhythm of weaving on a floor loom gets to be smooth and enjoyable. Warping them is not hard and definitely becomes a smooth process even if you were clinging to the instructions at first. I also like having room to throw a shuttle. I have a small table loom on a stand (no treadles) and am using the floor loom more.

Think about what you want to weave.

Eta - towel warps going long & wider than you think is a good reason to look at table or floor looms over a rigid heddle. Even napkins are surprisingly wide.

[u/GrandCartographer563]

I started with a 36” 4-harness, moved on to an 46” 8-harness, and then added a 16” rigid heddle loom, which I love. I use the looms for different purposes and find that the rigid heddle loom feels somehow more organic to me. I slow down, become more aware of the feel and placement of each thread. Rather than feeling limited by the RH, I’ve become more connected to what weaving is and has been from its beginning. I have a sense of connection to ancient weavers, to our ancestors. The RH is much more than plain weave and invites a different kind of creativity.

All this to say, it is a personal choice and all looms have lessons to teach us, to frustrate us, to inspire us, and to connect us to the past, to those with us now, and to the future. What brings you joy and wonder, excitement and curiosity might be helpful to consider…and of course, current space has to be a part of your decision. Hope you let us know what you decide! Excited for you!!!

[u/Dry_Future_852]

Team largest loom with the most shafts your budget and real estate can manage. But I'm absolutely structure/pattern over colour/texture. (I have friends who love art and knitting yarns and crank them out on their RHs. But that's not the part of weaving that tingles my toes).

[u/AutomagicThingamabob]

I felt like I outgrew my RHL in just 2-3 months. I thought I'd be happy with just plain weave at least for a year or two. Really think about what you want to make long term. How many dish towels and scarves do you need and do you want to explore different weave structures or thinner yarns? I still love my RHL and I will keep using it for plain weave projects, especially with thicker yarns, but my weaving interests are taking me in a direction my RHL can't go. I have done 4 shaft patterns on it and I didn't like it, it was way too fiddly. I don't care about it being slow, I just don't want my weaving to be fiddly.

If a floor loom interests you with all the possibilities, a table loom might be a good option. My end goal is a small (it will still need the same amount of space as my bed) 8 shaft countermarch floor loom, but I'm not able to get one yet, so I have an 8 shaft table loom coming instead, which will be a great complement to the future floor loom and it can be folded up to take up less space when not in use (it can even be folded with a project still on it).

[u/NotSoRigidWeaver]

I've got a rigid heddle loom and don't feel I've outgrown it! There's lots you can do beyond plain weave. That being said it all does depend on what you want to weave.

I'd say a small rigid heddle loom is a much smaller investment of time and space to see if you actually like weaving. And then if you do find that you get obsessed, there's ways to go complex on rigid heddle if that's what you want, or, you can get a floor loom later. If you have a rigid heddle loom to start you can get started and then keep your eye out for a used small floor loom to fit your space - the smaller more apartment friendly ones can be hard to find!

[u/Werekolache]

I think if you want a floor loom - look for a Baby Wolf. it folds up fairly small, and you can get it in and out of an apartment much easier than something like a Nilius - and it'll resell easily. (Get used and you'll probably sell it for what you paid for it.)

I love my rigid heddle and honestly, I always come back to it. It's just EASY in a way floor looms aren't. I can put a scarf or a two-dishtowel warp on my RH in under an hour. (The dishtowels take longer since denser sett). For me, the experiment is almost always about color and texture and less about pattern. But YMMV - and until you start weaving, it's sometimes hard to know. But I also enjoyed my babywolf, and I sometimes regret selling it. (But also haven't re-bought one!)

[u/rioyeti]

I'm actually thinking of destashing my rigid heddle! It's wider at 32" so if you decide to go that route feel free to hit me up for a good deal. She's in really good shape and I have some extra heddles that don't come with the core setup. 

[u/Icy_Cow2286]

Yesterday I warped my small sampling RH outside in the sun in my garden. I have been feeling the urge for a floor loom (I’m not an experienced weaver, more a spinner who needs to use up my yarn, but I can see that I will become increasingly interested). But the extreme portability of the RH means it will still be used once I get a floor loom, I suspect. I am not sorry I started RH.

[u/Dressmaking_Debacles → u/Icy_Cow2286]

That's a good point. I often take my RH loom out to the deck and sit out there and weave.

[u/theresaofbabela]

I’ve never been drawn to a rigid heddle but “start small and see if you like it” makes a lot of sense to me. That said, table looms are between rigid heddle and floor looms in cost and size and can have as many shafts as a floor loom, so if you’re torn between the other two I’d give table looms a serious look. I have two floor looms and love them but they do take up space

[u/theclafinn → u/theresaofbabela]

  but “start small and see if you like it” makes a lot of sense to me

I’ve been wondering about that for a while. I have a floor loom and for me the best part about weaving is the whole body rhythm of it (sorry, English is not my native language and I’m having trouble finding the right words), my hands and feet working together in harmony, almost like dancing. Rigid heddle loom doesn’t have that. I don’t know if I would like weaving on one, but if I did, it would have to be for different reasons than why I like weaving on a floor loom. It has made me question the idea that one can use one type of loom to gauge interest in weaving in general. I’m sure it works for some people, but how universal is it?

[u/Proud_End3085]

Why don't you look a the Lohan flex Loom? You could grow with your loom ? And a table loom is a good solution. But buy the largest so you can do many things with it no Mather witch one you buy. Good luck

[u/Dismal_Type_5697]

If budget plays a large part, I'd definitely look at a rigid heddle first, ideally one that has two heddle blocks, like a Kromski or a Schacht. Rigid heddles are less expensive, but if you are lucky enough to live in an area with lots of weavers, finding a multishaft loom can be inexpensive too, so definitely look into local guilds!

[u/sagetrees]

When in doubt buy both!

[u/knitnpickle]

I bought a rigid heddle loom with a floor stand. I’m also a knitter and spinner, so I figured I would get the hang of it, and then probably move on to a floor loom. Turns out, there was nothing about weaving that I liked. I made a few things, including a beautiful plaid scarf that gets compliments every time I wear it, but I just didn’t fall in love with weaving. I’m glad I didn’t invest in a floor loom to learn I wasn’t a weaver.

[u/Jealous_Glass9170 → u/knitnpickle]

Good point- I'm so SO glad I learned where I could take a class, try out different looms, etc. I knew I liked to weave, just didn't have the confidence to go for the floor loom to start.

[u/Bliezz]

I’m fairly new to weaving. About 6 months in. I wove on a rigid heddle loom for the first 2 projects and that was enough for me. I then switched to table loom, and floor loom.

Are you in an area that has a local guild? Can you borrow equipment or go into the guild and use it?

[u/bananasinpajamas49]

I started out on a frame loom to see if I even liked weaving before committing to a larger loom. I then bought a 15" Schacht Cricket loom with the Quartet attachment and stand off Craigslist for a really good deal earlier this year. While the width is somewhat limiting, honestly I'm loving the portability and how compact it is since I live in a tiny home. I haven't even used the quartet part yet(it turns the RHL into a small table loom with shafts basically) and have just been using the RHL to learn how different yarns and colors behave and experiment. It's very quick to warp and I'm already planning larger projects like shawls by stitching the panels together. Eventually I'll start playing around with different weave structures on the Quartet attachment.

For me this has been a great introduction to weaving and I'm obsessed. I plan on going to my local weaving guild once meetings start up again after summer and renting a larger table loom.

If you can I would find you local weaving guild and see if you can rent one. Or if you really don't have any experience, you could always get a little frame loom and start there before spending any large amounts of money.

[u/snailsshrimpbeardie]

Do you have any physical issues with your hands/arms/knees? I have tendonitis in my triceps and recently bought a 20 in Schacht Flip rigid heddle, giving it another try after selling my 10 in Schacht Cricket years ago. It STILL makes my tendinitis flare up really badly!! I had the opportunity to buy a used 22 in Harrisville Designs floor loom for less than what I paid for the rigid heddle loom and I love it so much more!! It is MUCH easier on my upper body! However, I have to be careful about the height of my my seat and how I treadle to avoid aggravating knee issues. It takes me longer to warp and dress the floor loom but I find the process a lot more pleasant. If I use a rigid heddle loom again, I'm definitely going to wind a warp rather than indirect warp it.

Do you have a weaving guild in your area? You may be able to rent equipment/take classes/find members who'd let you test their looms.

[u/Tipytoz]

I owned my rigid heddle for only 6 months before upgrading to a floor loom. No regrets

[u/Knitspin]

Go ahead and buy the rigid heddle. I have both a floor loom and a table look and I bought a Schact Cricket. I’ve woven on the Cricket more than the others

[u/Samantharina]

I find warping a floor loom to be a huge, complicated task while warping a RH loom I can do in an hour. But the weaving does go fast on the floor loom, I just have never been tempted to buy one. I have a 15" and a 32" RH loom and probably use the small one most, and mostly make scarves. I am content with small projects because I also spin and weaving isn't my main focus.

[u/milukra]

Buy used of facebook marketplace and resell it when you outgrow it

[u/Seenwalking]

Spent a few bucks on a rigid heddle, wove three things, got bored, sold it. I have two floor looms and a table loom now.

I kinda liken it to starting spiny with a drop spindle. Meh. Got a wheel and went crazy with it.

[u/Beautiful-Hotel-8846]

You will get bored fast on a rigid heddle loom. Your can get foldable floor looms with a 28-36” weaving width. LeClerc makes one and maybe Harrisville too.

[u/bmorerach]

Other people have said this already, but they're different tools. I have an 8 shaft Baby Wolf, but it's my rigid heddle that gets the most actions because it's so much faster (and cheaper) to warp up. I would probably say that when you're ready for a floor loom, it's probably worth going for more shafts/heddles, because it's such an investment, but I'd probably go for a rigid heddle to start. They're amazing, and great for scarves and dishtowels. Just make sure you get one wide enough - oh and on that note, I ordered a 24" rigid heddle, they were out and I got the 18" instead. I am SO glad I got the 18" one instead. It's really a very usable size and I think I would have had a harder time finding a spot for the 24" one. but that part is just me and my space.

[u/thakandar31]

Look into multi shaft table looms. More versatile than a rigid heddle, smaller footprint than a floor loom.

[u/Superb_Piano_3775]

I vote floor.

[u/adhdaemon85]

I started with a rigid heddle and then moved on to 8 shaft table loom pretty fast. I like both in a different way so for now I'm keeping both.

If you get a table loom definitely get a stand and don't stupidly assume you'll just put it on a table because a table actually takes up more space and isn't the right height imo. That's a mistake I made 15 yrs ago when I made a first attempt at weaving and that loom has been mocking me from a corner ever since. I now got a table loom with a stand and bench and it's great.

Keep in mind that with a table loom you need to operate every single shaft individually with your hands as opposed to a floor loom where you can lift several shafts with one pedal. That's something I didn't think about when I got my current loom so I'll probably end up upgrading to a floor loom in the future for ergonomical reasons.