Weaving cloth the Anglo-Saxon way

Summary

This video provides a fascinating step-by-step demonstration of how an Anglo-Saxon would turn sheep wool into wearable cloth. The process begins with shearing the fleece, followed by combing it to make it fluffy. Then, using a drop spindle, the wool is twisted into thread. Next, the thread is woven on a warp-weighted loom, where different techniques like tablet weaving and heddle rods are used to create fabric. The video highlights the intricate methods, tools, and historical details involved in crafting Anglo-Saxon cloth, ultimately resulting in a beautifully woven textile.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shearing sheep is the first step to obtaining wool for cloth.
• 😀 The wool needs to be combed to untangle it before it can be used.
• 😀 After combing, the wool is spun into yarn using a drop spindle.
• 😀 Drop spindles used by the Anglo-Saxons were made from various materials such as wood, clay, pottery, antler, and chalk.
• 😀 The spinning process involves adding a twist to the wool and pulling it into thread.
• 😀 The next step in the process is weaving, done with a warp-weighted loom.
• 😀 The warp threads are weighted at the bottom to keep them tight during weaving.
• 😀 The loom allows for the creation of a gap between warp threads to pass the weft through.
• 😀 The weaving process includes creating a selvedge edge with tablet weaving, as seen in Anglo-Saxon cloth.
• 😀 After passing the weft through the gap, the threads are adjusted with a pin beater made from antler.
• 😀 The weaver continuously adjusts the rods on the loom to create different gaps, allowing for the creation of the woven fabric.

Q & A

What is the first step in turning sheep fleece into something wearable?

The first step is to shear the sheep and cut off the fleece, although this fleece is not yet wearable.

Why is combing the fleece necessary in the process?

Combing the fleece is necessary to untangle it and make it fluffy, making it easier to turn into yarn or thread.

How does a drop spindle help in creating yarn or thread?

A drop spindle is used to twist the fluffy, combed wool, turning it into yarn or thread. The twist travels up as the wool is pulled out, forming the thread.

What materials did Anglo-Saxons use to make spindle whorls?

Anglo-Saxons used various materials for spindle whorls, including wood, pottery, recycled Roman tiles, antler, and chalk.

What is a warp-weighted loom and how does it function?

A warp-weighted loom has threads hanging down, called the warp, which are weighted at the bottom. The weights keep the threads taut, and by pulling different rods, gaps are created to pass the weft thread through for weaving.

What is the purpose of the tablets in the weaving process?

The tablets, which have holes for threading warp threads, are used to create a specific woven edge known as a tablet-woven selvedge edge. The tablets help control the positioning of the threads as part of the weaving process.

How does the weaver create a gap in the warp threads during the weaving process?

The weaver creates a gap by pulling forward a specific rod attached to the warp threads, which creates space for the weft thread to be passed through.

What role does the pin beater play in the weaving process?

The pin beater, made from antler, is used to push up the threads of the weft after it is passed through the gap, helping to tighten and secure the woven fabric.

Why does the weaver need to move the heddle rods during the weaving process?

The weaver moves the heddle rods to change the position of the warp threads, allowing for a different gap to be created for passing the weft through and continuing the weaving process.

How does the weaver wind the fabric as it is created?

As the fabric is woven, the weaver winds it onto the beam at the top of the loom, collecting the completed cloth as more is woven.