A weaver recently e-mailed me to ask why use a heddle rod in the Spa Set Pattern mat instead of two pick-up sticks? The quick answer is that in this particular pattern, if you placed two pick-up sticks they would interfere with one another. This isn’t the case with all pick-up patterns that require two sticks, but when it does happen you can turn to your trusty heddle rod.
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| The Set Up for the Treat Me Right Spa Mat |
A heddle rod allows the weaver to pick-up multiple warp ends, but the rod/loop combo won’t interfere with other pick-up stick/rods placed in the warp already. Above, is the set up for the Spa Set Mat. The first pick-up sequence is on the pick-up stick and the second is on the rod
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| Securing the picked-up threads to the rod |
As explained in the pattern, the rod works by using loops of yarn to encase the warp end you want to pick up and then securing either end of the loop to the rod. This is also a popular technique when weaving leno so that you don’t have to twist the warp ends over each other each time you want to weave a leno pick.
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| Use your rigid heddle to size your heddle-rod loops |
A nifty way to make all the loops the same size is to tie the short lengths of yarn around your rigid heddle and secure with a square knot.
Happy Weaving!
