Countermarch Loom Information

Frequently, questions about countermarch looms come from weavers who have heard that they are good looms, but they do not understand how they work. Simple explanations and a few illustrations can help weavers to understand how a countermarch works and what it's advantages are.

Here is a side view of a horizontal countermarch showing two sets of jacks at work.

>> What is the purpose of having two sets of lamms ?

The two sets of lamms give a complete and even separation of the threads when a shed is made. The lower, long lamms pull shafts up, just like a jack loom. The short lamms pull shafts down. Each treadle gives you complete control of the shed. The lower set of lamms are sometimes called the balance lamms. They are heavier than the short lamms and they balance the weight of the shafts. The jacks in the countermarch act like teeter totters with one end raising shafts and the other end lowering shafts, balanced by the lower lamms.

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>> How is the treadle tie-up different on a countermarch Loom?

The treadle tie up of a countermarch loom is the same as a jack loom when tying up the lower lamms. When this tie-up is complete, each upper lamm is tied up to the remaining holes in the treadle. This second tie-up of the empty treadle spaces adds about 5 minutes for a four shaft weave. For an 8 shaft weave the tie up takes about 10 minutes longer. As with other looms, treadles can be left tied up from one warp to another.

>> Why is the treadling is easier on a countermarch loom?

Countermarch treadling is easier partly because the shafts are very light weight. One shaft with heddles weighs about 12 to 24 oz. The balancing of the shafts by the long lamms also means that you are not lifting the shafts. Instead, you are separating shafts which are balancing. It is easier on your legs and easier on your knees. Actually, it is so easy on your feet that you do not need to have shoes on to protect the soles of your feet. You can weave barefoot if you want. Light treadling is also easier on your back, as you naturally sit up straight when you do not have to press so hard on the treadles.

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>> Sheds are better on a countermarch. Does this mean that the sheds are larger?

Sheds on a countermarch are better for several reasons.

The tension on the bottom of the shed is equal to the tension on the top. This produces a better product and makes throwing the shuttle easier.
The treadle tie-up controls all the shafts. When you press on a treadle, all the shafts move. This gives you full control of the shafts, so no shafts can float on their own. On a jack loom , your treadling only controls those shafts which rise
The sheds can be adjusted to be perfect. On a jack loom you can only adjust the top of the shed. On the countermarch, you can adjust the top and the bottom of the shed. It is possible to have sheds on a countermarch which are larger than you need, but it is better that the sheds be no more than 1/4" larger than the shuttle you are using. This makes weaving easier and your selvages become better.

>> Are countermarch looms made for weaving rugs?

Countermarch looms can weave good tight rugs, but they are equally good at weaving lighter weight fabrics. The hanging beater is partly the reason for this as it gives the weaver much greater control over the beat. The straight line which the warp takes from the front of the loom to the back also gives better sheds and easier beating.

>> Why isn't there a shuttle race?

Shuttle races are used for fly shuttle weaving. They are also used on jack looms because the bottom of the shed on most jack looms is not sufficiently tight to hold the shuttle when it is thrown. On a countermarch loom, your tension is tight, both on top and bottom of your shed, so there is no need for a shuttle race.

Questions about the countermarch loom ??

>> Which countermarch should I get, horizontal or vertical?

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Both types of countermarch produce good sheds. The short lamms and the treadle tie up are the same for both types. The vertical countermarch has pulleys as well as jacks. It has cords on the outside of the loom coming from the countermarch jacks, over pulleys to the long lamms. These cords cannot interfere with the warp threads. Being outside the loom, they can be easier for some to tie up. The horizontal countermarch has the long lamm tie up cords in the center of the loom.

A fly shuttle, double warp beam or a sectional beam can be used with either countermarch. When purchasing a drawloom, both the horizontal and the vertical countermarch will work for the shaft and the single unit drawloom. However, the combination drawloom requires a vertical countermarch. For 16 shaft countermarch looms, the horizontal countermarch is recommended. Looms with ratchets and handles on both sides of the loom should have horizontal countermarches if there is interest in weaving with more than 10 shafts.

>> Will longer heddles give me a bigger shed?

Longer heddles do not necessarily give a larger shed. The heddle size recommended by the loom manufacturer should be used. The taller shafts resulting from longer heddles results in less space remaining for the lamms to move, especially if treadles are tied higher for a weaver with short legs. When Longer heddles are used on the countermarch loom, the lower bars of the shafts may interfere with the sides of the frame. One can lengthen the treadle cords so that the shafts will not fall this far, but this makes the shed smaller. Shafts should not be tied higher than the warp dictates. The lower shaft bars should not be cut shorter to make them fit inside the loom frame.

>> What are the advantages of a larger loom?

When there is space for a large loom, it should be considered. Extra loom depth gives easier weaving and more comfort. You can sit inside the loom for comfort for threading the heddles and for tying up the treadles. The large loom will give you other loom features like a choice of countermarch types, more shafts, more treadles and a fabric protector on the breast beam. A larger loom will have a higher breast beam, which gives you more comfort for treadling.

Some helpful hints to those tying up a countermarch loom:

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-- Texsolv tie-up cord and pins eliminate the need for tying knots
-- Texsolv tie up kits with pre-cut cords make the tie up easier.
-- Cord threaders make it easier to put the cords through the holes.
-- Shaft holders are used for warping and tying up the loom.
-- Wire shaft pins hold the shafts as a unit for assembling, threading and tying up the loom.
-- Reed holders are useful for pre-sleying the reed or spreading the warp in the raddle.
-- Lease sticks are used for spreading out the warp and beaming the warp.
-- The Swedish shuttles are perfect to use on a countermarch loom.
-- A book with instruction for loom tie-up, Tying up the Countermarch Loom, by Joanne Hall is recommended for instructions for both the horizontal and the vertical countermarch loom.
-- For video instructions, Dress your Loom the Swedish Way, by Becky Ashenden is recommended.

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update 1/08/p>