Instructions
This tie-up system uses knitting needles and the treadle cords prepared as described. The lamms need to be hung absolutely horizontal to the floor. Start by hanging the first upper lamm. See that it is parallel with the cloth beam. The diagram at right shows how the markings on both cords line up when the lower lamm is raised.
The treadle cord lengths are 46 holes for the long cords and 30 holes for short cords. Leave the first 4 holes unmarked, then mark the 5th, 7th and 9th holes. Next, 34 holes for long cords, or 18 holes for short cords, are left unmarked. Then mark one more hole and leave 2 unmarked holes at the end. Cut the cord between the holes rather than through the middle of a hole. Both ends of the cut cord need to be held in a candle flame to secure the ends from unraveling, and the end with the three markings should be rolled into a firm point while still warm in order to save time threading it through the lamm and treadle. Thread a black plastic bead onto each long cord and thread the end of the cord with three marked holes through the single marked hole at the other end. Snug up the cord against the bead. A white bead is used on each short cord.
The lamm diagram to the right demonstrates the bottom row of the tie-up box shown with it. Each black square in the tie-up represents a long cord with a black bead through a hole in the upper lamm that lowers warp threads. Each white square in the tie-up box represents a short cord with a white bead on the lower lamm that raises warp threads.
Drop the cords down through the holes in a treadle. When the lamms are absolutely horizontal to the floor, all the marked holes in the treadle cords should line up with each other, as shown.
Knitting needles in size 8, 9, or 10 work best as they are snug enough not to slip. From the front of the loom, thread the needle under the treadle through the lowest marked hole of the first three cords, then one hole up for three more cords and through the middle marked hole for two more cords. This will suffice for eight shafts. The diagram to the left shows the pattern for ten shafts. Expect the cords towards the front of the loom to be a bit baggy when the treadle lowered to rest on the needle. Different tie-ups may require slight variations but this sequence is a good place to start. Check all the sheds to see what adjustments are necessary. Determine which cord needs to be tightened or loosened to correct the shed, remove the needle as far as required and make the adjustment.