The Pocket Loom is trying to test out weaving potentials started in simple experiments. The idea of pocket loom is to produce low-cost and handy tools for weaving activities. These grab and go weaving kit can start a trend of weaving using fragmentation time. Users can order the kit or just download laser-cut files to make their own looms.
The project completed four loom weaves using the Pocket Loom by Weaving Lab at the University of Wisconsin. The first woven structure is a weft face plain weave in #6 red mercerized cotton fiber. The second woven structure(Fig. 3) is a 2/2 Twill Sampler in blue and gray mercerized cotton fiber. The third woven structure is a 3/1 Twill Sampler in blue and gray mercerized cotton fiber. The forth woven structure applied 2/2 Twill, gaps, and seals while using blue, red and gray mercerized cotton fiber. The gap area will remain as void while the twill area became solid. The different density of fiber then formed into desired patterns. Two weaving drafts were made after he second and third woven structures. The drafts analysis the woven structure diagrammatically in black and white. The drafts also examined errors and irregulars in the woven structures.
During the constructing process, the woven structure might become extremely tight because of the surface tension and friction. One solving way is always to watch the pulling and adjust the woven structure when it starts to become tight. However, the tool kit would still consider hard to work with due to its limitation of pattern, tension issues, durability of the material.
The chapter Inkle Loom and Tablet Weaving experimented weaving methodologies(Fig. 5) using laser-cut tablets and shuttles, CNC wood Loom, and thread collections. The research started at reading and analyzing ancient tablet weaving patterns within the basic understanding of tablet weaving history.
The first four weaves(Fig. 6) were initial pattern studies. Different weaves were successfully constructed in different turning sequences. As the experiment went further, more complex turning sequences were generated. Threads number went from two to three to four. Threads number, rotating direction, and threads setting added to the complexity of weaving results. Compared to applying turning directions, applying more S and Z thread settings can make the weaving sequence easier while maintaining complexity.
Later, two more sample weaves and two final weaves are designed and constructed. Draft diagrams and sequence records(Fig. 7) generated using digital sketching can be easily used to document as well as lead the weaving process.
British teapot inspires the final 12-inch weaves. Color gold, carmine, reflective blue, light yellow are used in the design. The colorful pattern follows leaf structure. (Fig. 8)
The final weaves construction format is in 72 threads with 18 square tablets.
We began this project by analytically compartmentalizing the Louet Erica Table Loom ($300+) and researching, in depth, how these parts could be assembled to create a loom iteration that would function efficiently in very low cost with digi-fab implementations.
The group firstly fabricated a simple table loom(Fig. 9) and tested several weaves with hand operated reed.
After discussing the most appropriate digital fabrication tools or methods for each of the table loom components we came to the conclusion that we would 3D model the exterior gear and lock system and the rattle, we would laser-cut 1/8th inch acrylic reed and attach this through a bended wire and a couple bolts. The middle mechanization would be mostly built with wood dowels, sewing bobbins, cord, and wooden pegs. Also, the sides and the top rack would be laser-cut from cardboard and laminated to increase the strength of the mockup model. We would originally build these out of cardboard(Fig. 10) with the intent that they would be cut by the CNC router later for our revised model.
One of the most impactful changes that we decided to pursue would be to utilize the friction created between the warp beam and the wood sides to create the tensioning of the warp. This decision would not only create a solution for the locking mechanism but would also simplify the process of fabrication.
We created a drum attached to the reed to automate pattern sequencing . The drum allows user to just rotate the drum to get specific sequencing. However, the more we mechaning the process of weaving, the less people can implement customized design during the weaving process. Now the system is left with only one thing that completely done by human hand, the movement of shuttle.
We created a more complex warp pattern for this weaving. The pattern used three colors - red, yellow, and blue - in a order that varied from the previous 1, 2, 3, 4 pattern of threading. The different threading allowed us to develop a complex pattern with a simple 2/2 twill raising the warp threads. If we continued to develop designs for this loom, we would likely again use a more complex warp setup as this brings opportunity for beautiful patterns with less complicated requirements in raising and lowering the heddles. This process requires more setup time, but allows the weaving to go quickly.
After threading the loom and weaving with the new pattern, a few potential revisions came to mind. First, the pattern is very small and more subtle than expected. This may be because the pattern is primarily evident through the warp threads and the thicker weft threads quickly overwhelmed the colors of the warp threads. Planning for thicker warp threads or using a more substantial pattern by doubling warp threads intended to create visual emphasis would be potential solutions.
The use of white weft thread seemed to be more successful in evidencing the pattern. Also, the original pattern we created required a repeat after eight passes(Fig 15), which was challenging to implement with the mechanized process.
Digital fabrication can improve and speed up the processes of crafting one of these highly mechanized table looms. Laser-cutting and 3D printing seemed to be very beneficial tools to our workflow, however the CNC router process did not improve or speed any previous processes up. Further choice of making the structure could be simply done in woodshop.
The use of white weft thread seemed to be more successful in evidencing the pattern. Also, the original pattern we created required a repeat after eight passes(Fig 15), which was challenging to implement with the mechanized process.
Digital fabrication can improve and speed up the processes of crafting one of these highly mechanized table looms. Laser-cutting and 3D printing seemed to be very beneficial tools to our workflow, however the CNC router process did not improve or speed any previous processes up. Further choice of making the structure could be simply done in woodshop.
