And then what happened?

Sometimes when I wait to make a decision, the end result is better. I was wound up in myself about buying a new loom. My daughter-in-law, who is highly perceptive, asked me what my gut was telling me. My gut was saying "wait."

I didn't wait long! I soon found a 45" eight harness jack loom for a third of the price of the new 36" one. It is the same manufacturer as my other looms and is made in Canada. The price included some reeds, a bench and a warping board. I don't need a bench or warping board, but my daughter-in-law does. Everybody wins.

I arranged to go see it, and asked Robert if he and his truck would join me. It was a six hour drive roundtrip, so the dog came too. Good thing we like road trips.

The owner of the loom was charming, and happy to send it to a new home with an appreciative weaver. Robert moved it out of her house, into the truck, and into our garage. Some (dis)assembly required. Adrian helped move it upstairs after Robert had moved the old one downstairs. It takes a village. Or a couple of strong backs.

And the old counterbalance loom that sent me down the rabbit hole? It's staying. I belong to Jane Stafford's online guild and remembered a video where she discusses counterbalance looms. Before the 1930's, most western weavers used counterbalance looms. There are six million weavers in India using counterbalance looms. Thinking of all the beautiful textiles that have been produced on these looms gave me pause. It is lovely to weave on, and a beautiful, elegant bit of engineering.

I am now making some adjustments to the new loom to suit my preferences, cleaning it and looking forward to dancing on those ten treadles. Now, back to counting heddles. She said there are about 1900 of them.