Loom Weights: Clay Rings Pierced, Dried and Pit-Fired

On a warp-weighted loom, bundles of warp threads are tied to hanging weights that keep them taut. The weights must match, and their mass suits the yarn. Shape them from clay as thick rings, dry them slowly and fire them in a pit. The picture: our diagram, a row of ring weights on warp bundles.

初学者

A week, mostly drying

说明

Prepare the clay

Wedge the clay with a little fine sand until even. Make one test weight first and weigh it wet.

此步骤所需材料：

黏土5 公斤

细砂0.5 公斤

所需工具：

水

砧板

等臂天平

Shape the rings

Weigh out equal lumps, roll each into a ball, flatten it to a thick disc and push a stick through the middle to open a hole wide enough for a warp bundle.

所需工具：

等臂天平

木棍

砧板

Dry

Dry the rings slowly in the shade, turning them, until they are pale and dry right through.

所需工具：

砧板

Pit-fire

Warm them beside the fire, then bury them in the embers of a pit fire and keep it burning for some hours. Let them cool in the pit. Weigh them and keep a matched set.

所需工具：