I told you about getting my vintage Macomber 8 harness loom in pieces a few months ago, gave you a few stories about its assembly, and showed you some table linens I’d made on it. But I never showed you the loom in all its finished glory.
The Macomber is resting now. It has been for a few weeks, and will be for at least a few more weeks.
As it turns out, that ugly toe I dropped firewood onto wasn’t just bruised, I broke it. I spent some days when I needed to have the foot elevated when I could, then some days when it needed nighttime attention, and now I merely need to remember that I still am healing. The foot really likes to be in a sturdy Keen shoe – no mushy Crocs, no slippers.
I’ve been working on my lovely, little counterbalance, and I can do plain weave with my shoes on with no problem. The other day I decided that I wanted to do a simple twill. Much more of a challenge to do with shoes on. It’s almost possible if you don’t do a regular sort of tie-up, instead leaving treadles 1 through 4 with only 1 harness each, so that you have to step on two treadles at a time to do a 2-2 twill. But still not easy.
I wove several inches with the shoes on, and then said, “Hey, it’s been 3 weeks, take your shoes off and weave in your socks. You don’t have to use your toes, after all.” Well, I did it, but it wasn’t a great idea. The toe wasn’t happy. It made it through the rest of the scarf, but by evening it was talking to me, reminding me that it’s still vulnerable.
I don’t know that it’s even possible to weave on my Macomber with shoes on – 10 treadles and complex patterns require some fancy footwork. I’m sure I could do plain weave on it, but why would I, when my counterbalance is so sweet and easy to use?  Besides, I can do 2/2 twills easily on the counterbalance loom by tying 2 heddles each to the first 4 treadles and treadling with my left foot only.  So my plans for some clever-patterned bamboo scarves have been put on hold for at least a few more weeks.
Sorry, Macomber. Enjoy your rest! (This is my second entry into Carmi’s challenge this week.)
Hello
Sorry to bother you but in searching for info on looms your the first to pop up I have a 36 inch 8 harness loom that I cannot seem to find a makers mark on and I want to sell can you recommend anyone that I can send photos to that can help me
Mary
Hi, Mary.
I have two immediate suggestions – First, go online and get the contact for the weavers guild in your area. I bet if give them a phone call and describe the loom to someone knowledgeable, they’ll be able to tell you. And someone from your area may be willing to stop by for a visual if they can’t get it from a verbal description. Next, you can always join Weavolution.com — the people on their forum have offered me some really great advice. You could also try weavespindye.org – they can perhaps point you in the right direction.
I’ll email you directly to see if I can be of further assistance.