Heddles for Rigid Heddle Loom
Feeling limited by the DPI of your current reed? Ready to explore yarns and spacings beyond what your current reed is capable of? These Ashford Rigid Heddle Reeds give you the freedom to match your reed to your yarn, ensuring a smoother, more satisfying weave every time.
The beauty of weaving is in the detail, and nothing disrupts your creative flow like the wrong reed for your yarn. Ashford’s Rigid Heddle Reeds are designed to meet you where you are in your weaving journey, whether you're working with soft laceweight silk or thick, playful art yarns.
Each reed is crafted from durable nylon and framed with natural Silver Beech wood, offering not only strength but a beautiful, tactile presence in your loom setup. Imagine the ease of seeing your warp glide perfectly through wide eyes designed for novelty fibres -, or how satisfying it is to weave fine cottons without snag or strain. These reeds aren’t just parts, they’re tools for consistency, texture, and joy in every pass of the shuttle.
Key Features & Benefits
- Choose from 2.5 to 15 dpi to suit your fibre and finish
- Wide eyes support textured and novelty yarns with ease
- Crafted with strong, durable nylon and natural Silver Beech rails
- Compatible with both Ashford Rigid Heddle and SampleIt looms
- Enables smoother weaving and better fabric structure
- Ideal for exploring both beginner and advanced weaving techniques
1 x Heddle (Reed) for Rigid Heddle Loom (dpi of your choice)
- Material: Beech hardwood, Nylon
- Finish: Natural unfinished
- Assembly: Fully assembled
- DPI Options: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15dpi (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60/10cm)
- Compatibility: Ashford Rigid Heddle Looms, SampleIt Looms
- Reed width depends on loom size ordered
- 2.5 DPI (10/10) - 14 ply yarn (fleece rug, fabric weaving, and art yarns)
- 5 DPI (20/10) - 12ply yarn (fleece rug, fabric weaving, and bulky yarns)
- 7.5 DPI(30/10) - 8ply yarn (double knit and novelty yarns)
- 10 DPPI (40/10) - 4ply yarn
- 12.5 DPI (50/10) - 2ply fine yarn (cotton, silk, etc.)
- 15 DPI (60/10) - 2ply fine yarn (cotton, silk, etc.)
A heddle in a rigid heddle loom serves to raise and lower warp threads, creating a shed through which the weft is passed. It combines the functions of a heddle and reed, maintaining warp spacing and tension.
Select a heddle size based on your yarn's thickness and desired fabric density. Common sizes include 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5 dents per inch (dpi). For instance, 7.5 dpi suits worsted weight yarns, while 12.5 dpi is ideal for finer yarns. See our handy blog for further information on selecting the right heddle for your project here.
Yes, using two heddles allows for more complex weave structures and finer setts. Not all looms support this feature, or may require the addition of a second heddle kit, so verify your loom's compatibility before attempting double-heddle weaving.
Regularly inspect your heddle for damage and clean it by gently wiping with a soft cloth. Avoid excessive moisture to prevent warping or degradation, especially if it's made of wood or has wooden components.
Heddle compatibility varies by brand and model. Measure your loom and consult manufacturer specifications to ensure the heddle's length and hole/slot spacing match your loom's requirements.
Yes, with appropriate heddle selection and techniques like pick-up sticks or using multiple heddles, you can achieve lace and complex patterns on a rigid heddle loom.
A variable dent reed allows different dent sections within a single heddle, enabling the use of various yarn thicknesses in one project. This versatility facilitates creative textures and patterns.