Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom

Ashford offers a large range of rigid heddle loom options.  I own their 32-inch standard rigid heddle loom (which is available in four sizes) and their 10-inch SampleIt loom.  They also have a Knitters loom, which I believe folds; neither of my looms fold.  I absolutely love both of my looms, though.  I'll take a moment on each, because one is a large rigid heddle loom and the other is tiny- they are different yet they are both mighty.  They are both in metric sizes with US size approximations; so know that a 12-dent loom, for example, is actually a 12.5-dent loom because of the metric reed size.

The 32-inch loom is wonderful!  At first I was hesitant to have a rigid heddle loom that was so large, but it is well constructed, the balance is great, and it works just as well as my smaller rigid heddle looms (such as my 15-inch cricket), no matter what size project I am tackling.  I have made a baby blanket, receiving cloths, scarves and wraps on the loom- three of which are now featured in Interweave publications and one in Ply Magazine, so the loom can really produce quality weaving without fuss. And somehow I manage a very balanced beat with the larger reed size.  I would actually say that my fell line is more consistent and even with my larger loom than my smaller one- perhaps the extra grabbing space changes the way I pull toward the front beam. My 32-inch loom is not the largest size, either.  There is a 48-inch loom I've been tempted to explore, as well.  I have a stand for all of my rigid heddle looms, which I think makes using them much easier.  However, the stands are just as expensive as the looms themselves, so a tabletop works great, too.  If you have the money to splurge, however, I would recommend a stand.  

There are plastic bits on the loom, but they are durable and tough, not at all flimsy.  I really like the crank, it is very secure and I like the way the break is designed for the crank. The extra little bump makes winding and stopping so easy.  I was hesitant about the plastic ties that hold the apron rods in place, but they actually work great and Ashford offers replacement pieces should your loom need some love and care.  I have had my loom for two years with lots of traffic and have not needed to replace anything.

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Designed very similarly is the 10-inch SampleIt loom.  This tiny loom was a gift, otherwise I would never have thought to own one.  However, now that I have it, I really appreciate it.  It is wonderful.  I enjoy sampling- I think it is an important part of all crafting.  It is a great way to explore new fibers, colors and textures without a large, overwhelming commitment.  The 10-inch loom is a great place for this type of action because it behaves exactly like my larger looms (with all the reed sizes available) but it is, as I've said, small.  Not only does it keep the weaving quick and easy, it also makes it so my larger looms are not burdened with sampling projects that I sometimes take a while to finish.  

I have purchased the loom stand for my SampleIt, too.  While I would recommend the loom stand for the larger looms for everyone, I would not say the same for the SampleIt.  Don't get me wrong, I really like the loom stand, it works great for me and helps my weaving.  However, unlike the larger stands, I think body type is a bigger factor for this particular stand.  My legs fit under the loom still, so I can sit comfortably as I do with all my weaving.  My mother, on the other hand, has to straddle the stand because her legs do not fit as comfortably underneath.  This changes her whole weaving stance.  While the straddling position may be comfortable for some weavers, it was not for my mom.  It is an expensive accessory, so I just wanted to mention that it is narrow.

Overall, I really really really like my Ashford looms.  I would recommend them to any rigid heddle weaver, whether new to the craft or a seasoned expert.  They are sturdy, well-made tools and they are widely available, making reeds and other accessories easy to get.  They are reasonably prices, but some of the accessories can start to get expensive- but because the loom is great on its own, the pricey bells and whistles are not actually needed.