Rectangle Looms

 Continuous Strand Weaving on the Rectangle 

    Also called Continuous Yarn Weaving, Continuous Loop Weaving.  Weaving is done on a pin-frame rectangle loom with a length that is an approximate  multiple of the width.  The yarn is pulled from a ball or skein, warping is done as the weaving progresses.  CSW is done on triangle, square, and rectangle looms.  It is just slightly more complex on the rectangle.  If you learn CSW on the triangle, you can master the rectangle also.  The concept is the same with a rectangle, each new loop interlocks the previous loop, so the edges of the new fabric are secure when taken off the loom.  You can weave long scarves or shawls without the expensive and bulky floor looms.  The sides of the weaving come out perfectly straight; and yes, it is real weaving IMHO.

    The good news is that there are only 2 basic ways you can do this type of weaving on a rectangle - The popular left-return method promoted by some fiber studios for their looms, and the right-return method that I use on my modular rectangle looms.  What are the differences you ask?

     My method uses a rectangle one pin longer than the left-return method.  You can see why; in the left return style, the yarn would turn 180 degrees to the left around the upper right corner pin, counter clockwise on an even-squared rectangle.  This uses one less pin to get a 'perfect final weaving path' than my right return method, which has the yarn turning 180 degrees around the upper right corner pin to the right, or clockwise on an even-squared rectangle. This uses one more pin just to return to the starting corner.  Using either method works out on my looms, having an extra pin or two at the end with the left-return method is not a problem.  If you buy any other loom I am aware of, you are going to have these extra pins anyway.  The weaving evens out when taken off the loom.  So one difference is the length of the 'perfect' rectangle.  As of December, 2011, my new looms in the .375 (3/8") pin spacing will have adjustment holes for either weaving method.  The long side rails will have adjustment holes for future additions of widths from 8" to the maximum possible on the set, up to 30", in 2 inch increments.  The left end rail will have adjustment holes in these 2 inch increments for future additions.  I now have a new method of attaching the movable rail that will be incorporated in my next loom listed on Etsy.

    The other difference is in left or right return CSW method is the direction you have to twist the loop after weaving out of a square to avoid a glitch.    My right-return method doesn't require you to watch for this.  When changing yarn or colors, this is done the same way with both methods, at the left or starting end of the loom where the yarn ends are tied at a pin and can become part of a fringe.  Either method makes the same product and has the same design possibilities.   My 'formula', which is more like a chart, works for rectangles any length or width you want to make them, and can be slightly modified to be 'perfect' for either method.  The photo above shows a weaving done with the left-return method as a test, with the loom set just for that method.  You still get that open weaving path for the lasty single strand.  I prefer my method but the result is just as nice with either method.  My looms will allow set-up for either method.

    Stand or not to stand.  I like using a rectangle loom laying flat on a table or bed.  Since the loom is relatively narrow, you can reach across it while it is laying flat.  On a large triangle loom, this is not possible without the loom being held vertically.  I found that sitting in a roller office chair made it easy to roll back and forth alongside the loom laying on a bed 32 inches high.
   
    At the bottom of this page I will include weaving instructions and information for a do-it-yourselfer on making a rectangle loom. 

Hideaway Modular Rectangle Looms

    Hideaway Modular Rectangle Looms can be used to weave squares and several sizes of medium-length rectangles or even longer rectangles when the extensions are attached.
   The exact length is adjusted by moving the modular right end rail.  The width is determined by the modular end rail set that you choose.  I can make sets with 3 or more width choices, or a made to order set with only one width. 

   The modular design allows shipping and storage in a 4' box.  I sell my looms on my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/RogersLooms You can email me at RogersLooms@msn.com for custom orders.   Rectangle looms with either pin spacing can have an added triangle hypotenuse for weaving triangles.  See the triangle loom page for more on Hideaway triangle looms.

    The final weaving strand that finishes the weaving has a path (hook is pointing there) zig-zagging all the way down the loom, with an empty pin at each turning point.  This feature is not available on other loom brands that I know of.