Some different types of weaving supplies are yarn and looms, which are necessary to weave. Other important parts of the weaving process are the various detachable parts of the loom, such shuttles and heddles. Some people also purchase a bench of appropriate or adjustable height to weave at. A bench like this might be sold along with a loom, but looms are often available separately.
Yarn is among the most essential types of weaving supplies because it is a building block that woven materials are constructed from. Many different types and textures of yarn exist, varying for aesthetic and practical reasons. Some types of yarn have a bulky feeling and look fluffy, while other types are crimped into different shapes. Stretchy yarns are created by twisting, untwisting, and crimping fibers repeatedly and are generally used to create stretchy garments. In addition, metallic yarns are typically created by integrating metallic particles and synthetic fibers.
To weave, a person must have a weaving loom. It might look like a simple and sometimes crude device at first, but looms can be complicated with a lot of small parts. Its purpose is to hold the threads, pulling everything so the weaver can create a fabric with a snug weave. Without a loom, the woven fabric would not be able to hold together well because the pattern would be too loose.
A shuttle is shaped like a spindle and used to carry the crosswise yarn through the lengthwise fabric. Some looms no longer have shuttles and operate in a different manner. On other looms, however, a working shuttle is a necessary part of weaving supplies. Shuttles are either automatic or manual, with the manual kind requiring the weaver to move it herself.
Heddles are relatively small but important parts of a loom. The material to be woven is threaded through a heddle, which resembles a large needle with loops for thread on each side. This kind of weaving supply can be made of stainless steel, wire, or even string.
Some styles of weaving can benefit from the use of a weaving bench, which is a piece of furniture used as a weaving surface and storage. While weaving benches are most typically made out of wood, they can occasionally be made from other materials. Some weaving benches can be raised and lowered to different heights. Cushions are usually placed on the benches to lessen the impact of sitting on wood or other hard materials.
