How to Warp a Rigid Heddle Loom, Step by Step

Updated 1 Nov 2026 · Looms

Direct warping means pulling loops of yarn through the slots of the reed and over a peg clamped to a table, then winding the whole warp onto the loom. By the end of these steps you’ll have a warp ready for your first scarf. Ashford’s beginner scarf uses a 2 m (79 in) warp of 84 ends and finishes 28 cm (11 in) wide.

What you need

From Ashford’s first project:

Sharp scissors, a measuring tape and cardboard warp sticks
One long table, or two smaller tables pushed together
A warping peg, a threading hook and two clamps (the warping tools)
About 2 m (79 in) of table length between the peg and the loom’s back warp stick
Yarn: the booklet uses Ashford DK (100% wool, 202 m / 221 yd per 100 g) for warp and weft

The warp sticks, clamps, hook, peg and booklet all come with the Standard Rigid Heddle Loom, the Knitters Loom and the SampleIt Loom. The booklet says this reed spaces the threads at 30 to every 10 cm (7.5 per inch).

Direct warping, step by step

Set the distance. Use a long table, or two tables, until the warping peg will sit 2 m (79 in) from the loom’s back warp stick.
Clamp the loom. Put the clamp in the center hole of the back rail and clamp it to the table. Engage the front and back pawls in the cog teeth to put the brakes on.
Clamp the peg. Clamp the warping peg to the far end of the table.
Find your first slot. The scarf has 84 ends, which is 42 double threads through the slots. Ashford says to start 9 slots in from the end on a 40 cm (16 in) loom, 24 on a 60 cm (24 in), and 39 on an 80 cm (32 in).
Tie on and pull the first loop. Tie the yarn to the back warp stick behind the first slot. Pass the threading hook through the slot, catch the yarn and pull a loop through.
Go to the peg. Loop the yarn over the warping peg. Ashford suggests sitting the ball in a bowl behind the loom.
Next loop: under. Through the next slot, take the yarn under the back warp stick, pull a loop through and place it over the peg. Keep the tension even.
Next loop: over. Through the following slot, take the yarn over the back stick. Alternate one under, one over until you have 42 double threads (84 ends).
Wind on. Stand behind the loom and turn the back handle toward you until the back warp stick has gone round the roller once. A friend holding the warp ends helps.
Add separators. Insert a cardboard warp stick, or paper, across the full width of the back roller, and add more as you wind. They keep the tension even.
Stop at the front roller. When the end of the warp reaches the front roller, cut through all the loops. Ashford says not to wind further. Unclamp the loom.
Thread the eyes. Take one thread from the first slot and pull it through the eye to its right with the hook. The other stays in the slot. Repeat across.
Tie on in small groups. Take a group of threads over and around the front warp stick, divide it in two, and tie a flat single knot over the top. Do the full width.
Even the tension. Adjust each knot by pulling up toward the reed and retightening, then finish with a half bow so the knots undo easily later.
Spread the warp. Advance the warp to the front roller, then weave in loops of scrap yarn (up, down, up positions) and push them gently to the knots. This closes the gaps the knots leave.

Ashford’s booklet points to two of its own videos: Tying a warp on a Rigid Heddle Loom (another way to tie on) and Spreading the warp.

Warping on your own

Ashford’s Solo Warping sheet says to lift the warp off the peg once the last thread is tied to the back stick, and put your hand through the loops. Twist the threads around your hand for firm tension, take them over the reed, and turn the back handle while the threads pass through your hand.

Indirect warping: when and why

Ashford’s Indirect Warping sheet describes a second way, using the optional Rigid Heddle Warping Pegs. It lists these benefits: you can use one thread of one color, it saves space, it gives even warp lengths, and it gives better tension control.

The indirect method threads slots and eyes in sequence, unlike the direct method’s slots-first pass. Ashford’s loom manual gives approximate warp lengths with the pegs: 4.70 m (15 ft) on the 40 cm loom, 6.70 m (22 ft) on the 60 cm, and 8.70 m (28 ft) on the 80 cm.

Direct warping suits a first scarf because it needs no extra pegs.

Common first problems

Warp too tight. Ashford says the warp only needs enough tension to hold the reed in the up position. Loosen slightly if you can’t change reed positions easily; tighten slightly if the reed falls forward.
Uneven knots. Check the tension across the groups and adjust knot by knot.
Beating hard. Ashford’s booklet says, “BEAT GENTLY! THERE MUST BE A SMALL SPACE BETWEEN THE ROWS.”

Your first projects

Ashford’s first scarf. Warp: Ashford DK in stripes, 2 m long with 23 cm (9 in) at each end for fringe, 84 ends, 28 cm (11 in) finished. Weft: Ashford DK #100 Pure White. The booklet goes on to weaving, fringe and washing.
Kromski’s Presto scarf. Kromski’s pattern sheet plans a 6 x 60 in (15 x 150 cm) scarf with 4 in (10 cm) fringe, with the back of the loom 80 in (200 cm) from the peg. It’s written for Kromski’s own loom.

Made one of these? We’d love to see it.

See it done

Weavers and makers on YouTube.

Warping a SampleIT Loom, from The Sheepwalk Ranch & Fiber Mill.
Warping Up My Four Shaft Table Loom, from Harry Rogers. This is a different kind of loom, so the steps differ from the rigid heddle method above.

FAQ

How long should my first warp be? Ashford’s first scarf uses 2 m (79 in), with 23 cm (9 in) at each end for fringe.

How many threads does the scarf need? 84 ends: 42 double threads through the slots, on the 30-per-10 cm reed. Finished width is 28 cm (11 in).

Can I warp by myself? Yes. Ashford’s Solo Warping sheet covers the Rigid Heddle, Knitters and SampleIt looms. You wind the threads around your hand instead of having a helper hold them.

Do I need extra warping pegs? Not for direct warping. The warping peg and clamps that come with the loom are enough for the booklet’s method. The optional Rigid Heddle Warping Pegs are for indirect warping.