Introduction:
My post on May 30,2020 shows in more detail these tricks for threading without mistakes. See that post. HERE
Jim Ahrens told us many times, “The only thread that can’t tangle is on under tension.” Taut threads are easier to see. To get them taut, use a light weight, such as a small wrench. Mine weighs 3 ½ ounces. Put a loop of string on the weight and add a rubber band onto the loop with a lark’s head knot. Then separate a bundle of cut warp threads about the thickness of a medium-sized carrot and with another lark’s head, tie the rubber band onto the bundle near the end of the warp. The weight hangs straight down from the lease sticks, behind the shafts. When you select a thread to thread next, you pull it out of the weighted bundle.
Thread from a “claw”.
Behind the heddles you use your left hand, held palm downward like a claw, to hold four threads in order. To thread, separate out four heddles in order according to your threading draft. With your “claw” hand, reach below the cross and place one thread between your little finger and ring finger, one between your ring finger and middle finger, and so on, ending with one thread between index finger and thumb. Push the threading hook through the first heddle eye and with the hook curved down, catch the thread between thumb and forefinger, then draw it through. Continue with the three remaining threads: first putting the hook through the next heddle eye in sequence, then catching the next thread in sequence and pulling it through.
Use adding machine tape (When I first wrote the book in 1995 adding machine tape was common. However, I was too cheap to buy some, so I cut strips of paper instead.)
With the adding machine tape attached to your loom glance at it for the shaft numbers listed on a row, separate out those heddles indicated on the tape then thread the heddles. As you finish threading each group of four threads, poke a pin through the paper at the of that line. Move the pin from line to line as you finish each group of four. If you’re interrupted, you know exactly where you left off—the pin holes show what has already been threaded and the pin itself is still in the last row you completed.
Great advice. I am too lazy to make a loop, I bought a bunch of S hooks at the hardware store and round heavy weights with holes in the middle and use those, works like a charm during this portion and when winding the warp onto the loom.