It was during one of the Covid lockdowns when our CNC Meister and I were bored and decided to tackle a question that had been on our minds for a while: How “fine sett” can we get?
Our pin supplier joined in and provided a variety of thinner steel wires, and the testing began.
The CNC router kept routing and drilling until it got to a point where we had to use a magnifying glass to see the holes.
Trying thinner pins convinced us very quickly that what we’re currently using for the Square fine sett looms is the closest to what can be woven comfortably, without having to add a supply of band aides for pricked fingers to each loom kit.
We decided to settle on a loom that is “fine” enough to weave “finer” sock and fingering yarns, like this Lion Brand Sock-Ease.
Several popular sock and fingering yarns list a gauge of 30 sts/4″, which weaves up a nice but light fabric on the fine sett looms. We wanted an “extra fine” option, where the fabric is dense enough for clothing and similar projects.
Above pictures show the yarn example Rico Design Superba Bamboo Uni, available through Universal Yarn, on the new XF loom (left); fabric comparison XF (left) and F ( right); hexie off the XF loom. The header picture also shows that yarn, woven on all three Original TURTLE looms.
Another example is Lang Jawoll, shown woven on the XF extra fine sett on the left, and the F fine sett on the right.
The Original TURTLE loom XF expands the use of thinner yarns without jeopardizing the comfort of weaving.
6/2 cotton yarns like the popular Bluegreass Mills, available through the Woolery, now enter the category of yarns that weave well on TURTLE looms at about 12 epi, and with that the doors open to create a new range of beautiful kitchen items like hand towels and accessories.
Weaving single stranded Size 10 crochet thread on this loom still generates a light fabric, but it now generates a nice, light density for curtains or lacy table toppers.
When will the Original TURTLE Loom XF be available?
The loom is now available in our Etsy store: “Original TURTLE Loom™ XF “extra fine sett”
Also at the handweavers studio in London,
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Meredith and Denise CP (check your emails, please)! They are the winners of our treasure hunt contest and will be the first to receive a new Original TURTLE Loom XF.
Which loom would I use for sock yarn & my light handspun?
Handspun is hard to determine, since I don’t know how “light” you spin. If you have any commercial sock yarns, look at the labels for the knitting gauge. If it is 24-26 sts/4″, I recommend the F fine sett. If it is 28-30 sts/4″, I recommend the XF extra fine sett. Commercial yarns vary, of course, so this can only be a guideline. If you post the names of the yarns that you have in mind, I may know them.