Example of a backstrap loomThe backstrap loom is a simple loom developed by ancient civilizations and it’s still used in many countries today. The warp is tied around a stationary object on one end and to the weaver at the other. The weight of the weaver keeps the warp taut. A skilled weaver can produce beautiful and complex patterns using a backstrap loom.

An example of a tapestry loom used in weaving tapestries! Tapestry looms include the simplest of looms, the frame loom. Frame looms do not have any ability to create a shed, and a tapestry you create on a frame loom is constrained to the size of the frame. Some larger types of tapestry looms hold longer warps and offer methods of creating a shed.

Example of an inkle loom—one out of many different types of weaving looms out there!

Shop for weaving looms: Inkle loom with a belt shuttle.

Inkle looms are used to weave narrow strips of fabric such as straps and belts. They are portable and while they are a great beginner’s loom, experienced weavers also use them to create complex patterns.

Rigid Heddle Looms

An example of a rigid-heddle weaving loom!

Shop for weaving looms: 25? Flip Rigid Heddle Loom.

A rigid-heddle loom is a good beginner’s loom. It also offers a lot in terms of patterning to an experienced weaver through hand manipulation of the warp and weft. With one rigid heddle, the rigid-heddle loom can be used for two-shaft weaving using yarns that are generally thicker than those used by shaft looms. By adding another heddle, the weaver can use thinner yarns and weave more intricate patterns using pick-up sticks and hand manipulation techniques. Rigid-heddle looms are portable. They can be used with or without a stand.

Table Looms

An example of a table loom.Table looms are smaller and more portable than floor looms, but more complex than the other small looms in this list. They are made to be used on top of a table or on a stand. While you can get table loom that has more than 8 shafts, the most common types have either 4 or 8.

Example of a standing floor loom.These are the largest of the home weaver’s looms. They’re freestanding and made for weaving larger projects. Use a floor loom to produce longer and wider pieces of fabric, home linens, accessories, and rugs. Floor looms generally have either 4 or 8 shafts but they can have more. They can also be electronically controlled by a dobby that lifts and lowers the harnesses to create sheds.