Ashford Brooklyn Table Loom is a Game Changer: Video Review
Welcome! We’re excited to talk about the Ashford Brooklyn 4-shaft table loom and share our thoughts with you. Below, you’ll find a full video review where you can see the loom in action. In this review, we’ll cover what this loom is, what it can (and can’t) do, and who might enjoy using it.
The loom was launched in the summer of 2023, and I purchased it immediately. While we had hoped to share this review sooner, the busyness of moving studios delayed us. Now, during our Winterful Weave-Along, we’ve finally had the chance to use this loom, and we have so much to share. Let’s dive in!
What is the Ashford Brooklyn 4-shaft table loom?
The Ashford description of this loom basically says it all:
This loom has been designed to be an economic stepping-stone for rigid heddle weavers and all other new weavers who are ready to expand their weaving skills and explore the wonderful world of multi-shaft weaving. It makes weaving multi-shaft patterns simple and easy. The Brooklyn Four Shaft Loom provides new and experienced weavers with all the features they need to weave amazing fabric.
Let’s have a closer look at this breakdown…
The Ashford Brooklyn is a 4-shaft table loom, meaning it is a multi-shaft loom that enables weavers to explore a wide range of weave structures. As Felicia mentions in the video, she owns several 8-shaft looms but often uses just four of the shafts. Most of the content in the School of SweetGeorgia focuses on four shafts because the number of weave structures and techniques you can explore with them is virtually endless. Our courses cover topics like Overshot, Crackle, Summer & Winter, Twills, Lace, and Double Weave.
A rigid heddle loom, by default, has two shafts, which are used to weave plain weave cloth. However, you can expand its capabilities by adding a second heddle or incorporating pick-up sticks into your setup to create different sheds, allowing for a variety of weave structures. Amanda Wood, our rigid heddle weaving instructor, specifically teaches these skills in our rigid heddle classes at the School of SweetGeorgia. While a rigid heddle loom can weave any structure, the process is less straightforward than with a multi-shaft loom. Essentially, on a rigid heddle loom, second heddles and pick-up sticks are added to replicate the functions of multi-shaft loom shafts.
Loom Features
The Ashford Brooklyn is a compact table loom with a weaving width of 16 inches / 40 centimetres. It’s relatively lightweight, making it easy to pick up and move around. If you’re weaving at the dining table and need to clear space for company, you can easily move it to another room; easy!
Unlike some of Ashford’s other table looms, which feature collapsible castles or foldable designs (like the Ashford Katie), the Brooklyn loom does not break down for storage. However, it remains compact enough to fit on a car seat or take up about half the space in a car trunk.
The Ashford Brooklyn is an economical stepping stone for rigid heddle weavers and beginners. The loom is constructed from a mix of Beech hardwood and plywood. The Beech hardwood components appear similar to those used in Ashford’s more expensive table looms, but Brooklyn’s castle is made from unfinished plywood, cut in a single piece. This construction choice is likely why the loom is more affordable.
Ashford Size, Shaft & Price* Comparison
- The Ashford Brooklyn loom, 4-shafts, 16-inch / 40-centimetre wide, is $685 USD and $865 CAD.
- The Ashford 4-shaft table loom, 24-inch / 60-centimetre wide, is $1045 USD or $1245 CAD.
- The Ashford 8-shaft table loom, 16-inch / 40-centimetre wide, is $1045 USD or $1245 CAD.
(Also available in 16-, 24- and 32-inch / 40-, 60-, and 80-centimetre widths, varying prices). - The Ashford 16-shaft table loom, 24-inch / 60-centimetre wide, is $1750 USD or $2060 CAD.
At $685 USD or $865 CAD, the Brooklyn offers a fairly reasonable price point for a brand-new 4-shaft table loom. For comparison, the Leclerc 4-shaft Dorothy table loom starts at $810 USD. While used table looms can often be found on second-hand marketplaces for a few hundred dollars, they can vary widely in condition, making a new loom a reliable and appealing option.
*Prices are current as of the publication date of this article, December 2024.
What is Included with the Loom
The loom comes with a 10-dent stainless steel reed, which, with the help of a reed substitution chart, allows you to easily adjust the sett. A 10-dent reed is very versatile, working well for fingering-weight yarn or slightly heavier options like sport or light DK-weight yarn at 10 ends per inch (EPI). It’s a practical choice for a variety of weaving projects.
The loom includes 320 Texsolv heddles, with 80 heddles per shaft. With its 16-inch / 40-centimetre weaving width, Ashford has provided enough heddles to weave at 20 EPI across the full width of the loom. This makes it ideal for finer yarns, such as 8/2 cotton, in patterns like twill. Texsolv heddles are also lightweight and quiet!
Additionally, the loom comes with two stick shuttles and other essential accessories, including lease sticks, warp packing sticks, and a threading hook. In the video, Felicia notes that while the included tools are useful, she prefers using some of her favourite tools, like the closed-bottom Leclerc boat shuttle and the Harrisville threading hook.
Assemble Review the Ashford Brooklyn 4-shaft Table Loom
The instructions are always very clear; you just need to stay organized and follow them step-by-step. The ONE thing that turned this assembly process from a one- or two-hour session into a two-week project was finishing the wooden pieces before assembling. Both the Beech hardwood and plywood parts come unfinished, allowing you the flexibility to finish them however you like or leave them unfinished if that’s your preference.
You can finish the loom however you like. Some may prefer to leave it unfinished, while others might choose Danish oil, lacquer, or Ashford’s recommended Finishing Wax Polish. Felicia used Osmo Polyx Satin Hard Wax Oil, the same product she used for her Leclerc Fanny restoration project.
Keep in mind that applying these finishes can cause the wood grain to rise slightly, creating a rough texture. To fix this, follow the recommended drying time, then lightly sand the surface and apply another coat. This process will help achieve a smoother finish.
Weaving Review on Ashford Brooklyn 4-shaft Table Loom
Shaft Levers
These function just like those on Ashford’s more expensive looms. The levers are smooth, light, and easy to operate, fantastic for changing sheds.
Beam-to-Beam Depth (28.5 inches / 72 centimetres)
This loom offers a great weaving depth. Having enough space to work is important; otherwise, frequent cloth advancements can slow you down.
Dressing the Loom
Dressing the loom is straightforward. However, note that you’ll need to tie the back rod, which is an extra step to keep in mind.
The Ratchets
The ratchets on the front and back beams are made of nylon. While they work well, they produce a loud, clicky noise, a characteristic shared by all Ashford table looms.
The Beater
This loom features an overhead beater with “auto bounce back,” thanks to elastic cords that pull the beater back after each beat. You only need to swing the beater forward, and it will return to its starting position on its own. However, as Felicia mentions in her review, the beater can be inconvenient during threading. She found it awkward to get her hands at the right angle with the beater in the way and wished for an option to swing it up, out of the way, or remove it entirely.
Reeds
If you already own reeds that are longer than 16 inches / 40 centimetres, you can still use them with this loom. The reed will extend over the edges, but it will still work perfectly well.
Shuttle Race
Ashford recently released a shuttle race that can be attached to their looms and sold separately.
Final Review and Thoughts
The Ashford Brooklyn loom is a fantastic choice. With its smooth lever action, compact weaving width (perfect for scarves, towels, and samples), lightweight design, and portability, it’s ideal for workshops or weekend getaways. Coupled with its affordable price point, it’s easy to see why so many weavers are choosing this loom. While the fact that it doesn’t collapse and includes some plywood components may come down to personal aesthetics, it doesn’t impact its functionality in any way.
This loom is an excellent next step if you’re ready to move beyond a rigid heddle loom and explore more complex weave structures. It’s also a fantastic starting point for anyone new to multi-shaft weaving. The skills you learn on this loom will translate seamlessly to a larger floor loom or another table loom with more shafts. This loom could be your starting point!
If you’re interested in the Ashford Brooklyn loom, our SweetGeorgia shop does carry it, but we can only ship within Canada. If you’re in the U.S., it’s available through vendors like Gist Yarn. For those outside Canada or the U.S., Ashford products are available worldwide, check for a vendor in your region.
Ashford Brooklyn Loom Review Video
You can find our Ashford Brooklyn loom review below or on the SweetGeorgia Weaving Channel on YouTube!
The post Ashford Brooklyn Table Loom is a Game Changer: Video Review appeared first on SweetGeorgia Yarns.
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