Loom

Loom is a device used to create textiles using yarn or to weave threads. Looms have been in use since many years to make beautiful garments. The past looms performed only the basic functions, i.e. facilitate interweaving of threads by firmly hold the warp threads under tension, while the modern looms are equipped with quite advance features. Different variations of looms are available from the basic to the advanced ones. Automatic looms, small hand-held looms and large hand looms are some of the styles of looms available. Different types of looms are available and some of them include handloom, frame looms, power looms, knitting looms and back strap looms. Hand looms are the basic form of looms and are use to create textiles.

Power looms were developed by Edmund Cartwright in the year 1785. The earlier power looms were shuttle-operated; this was followed by the shuttle less power looms that came into existence in early 20th century. Today, the power looms are designed to speed up the production process. Some of the newer looms include air-jet looms, water-jet looms, computer-driven looms and special industrial looms that are extremely fast and efficient. Back strap looms can be rolled up and carried around, thus making them portable. During weaving, this loom has to be tied at weaver’s waist while the other end of the loom has to be tied to some strong objects like door or tree. Knitting looms are used to create patterns similar to needle knitted patterns. Frame looms are portable and are inexpensive.