A Peruvian back strap weaving loom.
Weaving is one of the oldest crafts known to mankind, with a history dating back to around 10,000 B.C. While woven fiber baskets and bowls aren't produced with a loom, most other types of weaving require a loom to hold vertical 'warp' threads through which horizontal 'weft' threads are woven. Many different types of weaving looms have been used throughout history, and most types are still in use today.
Lap Looms
Lap looms are small looms that are held in the lap of the weaver. The simplest lap loom consists of a wooden frame over which warp threads are strung. Other types of lap looms include hexagonal or round lap looms, which have pegs to hold the threads, and knitting looms, used to weave knitting in place of conventional knitting needles. Lap looms are used most often by hobbyists to make small rugs, wall hangings and other decoration pieces.
Floor Looms
Floor looms are traditionally used to create finer fabrics or larger rugs and carpets. Floor looms are frame-based. A frame is set up parallel to the ground, out in front of the weaver. According to Susan Wylly, a loom expert from Georgia College and State University, complex Egyptian floor looms were in use as early as 5,000 B.C. Floor looms can be semi-industrial looms, with shed sticks, heddles and foot-treadles incorporated into the design to make weaving much faster.
Traditional Looms
Traditional weaving looms are those developed and still used by traditional cultures, such as Navajo Indians and Peruvian Indians. Back strap looms are favored in South America, and are portable looms which can be rolled up when not in use. One end of the warp threads are tied to a stationary object, usually a tree trunk, and the other is tied around the back of the weaver, who controls the tension of the loom by moving farther away from the stationary point. Navajo looms are frame-based. The frame is suspended vertically in front of the weaver, who sits at the base of the frame and works upward.
Industrial Looms
Industrial looms are based on the complex floor loom design, but have been mechanized so as to weave larger bolts of fabric at faster paces. The modern industrial weaving loom developed during the Industrial Revolution, at which time looms were only partially mechanized and very dangerous. Many weaving workers, typically young children, lost fingers, arms or their lives while using industrial weaving looms. Industrial looms incorporate a mechanized heddle and shed stick, which keeps the weft threads open. A shuttle, which passes the weft threads quickly through the warp, makes weaving fast and efficient.
