Minutes of the Portland Handweaver’s Guild Small Looms Study Group
24 October 2026
Agenda:
Show and Tell
Problem Solving
Select Challenges for the year
Review and Approve Charter and Scope
Four items were brought for show and tell. Pictures at the bottom.
1st: a light colored scarf that had a variation in both texture and color
2nd and 3rd: two Mardi Gras colored scarfs (same warp), one that had doubled warp and weft at the color changes and another that used 3 shuttles to alternate the weft and provided interesting edges.
4th: A Cricket loom was brought in with a log cabin warp to talk about that type of equipment works.
For problem solving there was a discussion on how to keep the warp tension consistent for a rigid heddle loom. The Yank and crank was perceived to have problems. There was a suggestion to allow the peg holding apparatus to drag across the floor and that would create even tension.
There was also a discussion about the best type of paper and the techniques to keep the paper lined up on the loom.
The pros and cons of Tie on versus lash on were discussed. For Tie on, the warp is tied to the apron rod. For Lash on, the warp is knotted and a cord is passed through each knot and wrapped around the back beam.
Lash on advantages:
don’t need warp ends the same length
saves warp – uses less yarn
don’t have to untie knots unless for an individual cord
Helpful info: for the loom brand/model Lojan = the j is a y sound
There was a lot of discussion about how PHG could have a stronger outreach program. Some members have been doing outreach not as part of their guild activity. Everyone seems to agree that more outreach should be done. Apparently the percentage of guild members who volunteer for the existing outreach program is fairly small. I have volunteered numerous times and absolutely love it. I volunteer whenever my schedule allows. One idea would be to put in the newsletter how exciting it is be a volunteer at the outreach events. That might inspire more volunteers.
The most popular item at the outreach demos is the 7 strand braiding cardboard disks that are made available for free.
Another idea would be to start and “interested persons” email list. Visitors to the demos could add their names to the list and invitational follow up emails could encourage future participation.
The existing organizer/leader of the outreach program is retiring and there is a possibility that she will be replace by a committee so that the workload could be spread out.
For this study group, I have started sending personalized emails to new email list additions to help with the transition to attending.
One of the members recently visited: Wool for the people. https://woolforthepeople.com/ and thought it was an excellent local experience. They are local dyers and producers of yarn.
There was a discussion that maybe people could bring various small looms to the show and tell so that everyone would get an idea of what is out there.
Challenges:
It was decided on three. In no particular order:
- Weave whatever you want with ANWG colors
ANWG picked 7 colors, we decided 7 color choices was ok.
2. Multi-Heddle (which can be used for Lace)
3. Freeform Japanese Weaving
which can include clasped weft
Next Month we will have a half hour for each of the three challenges to provide an overview of the techniques. This will be an introduction so everyone can decide which challenges are best for themselves.
There were no comments on the Charter and Scope so we will use that until we get something we like better.
We were not able to get Zoom going this month but I will try to get it setup for next month.
