Countermarch looms
Lilla looms are countermarch looms that produce large sheds with light treadling. They are flexible, simple machines that offer a pleasurable weaving experience. I love the soft sounds of the moving lamms as I treadle--like playing a gentle "woodchime."
If you're new to countermarch looms, I provide a loom-dressing and tie-up guide with new looms. I also offer a free phone or video consultation to get you started when your loom arrives.
In addition, I highly recommend the following reference books:
The Weaving Book by Åsa Parson and Amica Sondström. Trafalgar Square Books.
Dress Your Loom the Vävstuga Way by Becky Ashenden. Vävstuga Press.
You can also find a Ravelry group dedicated to Lilla looms that offers tips, tricks, and a supportive community of Lilla owners.
Lilla features and aftermarket accessories
Lilla looms are constructed of Swedish pine with front and back beams made of beech, a harder wood that better withstands the wear of Texsolv beam cord. The back folds up, even when warped, to make extra space when you need it. I have a Lilla in my guest room that I fold up and push against the wall to make room for the pull-out sofa bed.
The Lilla loom comes with eight treadles. You can add two additional treadles to the 100 cm loom by purchasing a longer treadle bar and two more treadles.
Like other looms, the Lilla can sometimes migrate across a hard floor when weaving. I provide adhesive rubber grip strips that you can stick to the bottom of your loom feet to help minimize migration. You can also buy a set of six "loom feet cradles" that greatly reduce migration. These cradles also raise the height of the loom if you are a taller weaver looking to boost the height of your loom.
For me, good lighting makes all the difference when weaving. To this end, I designed an elegant "light bar" with LED lights that can attach to the top of the loom. Thomas at AK:s Snickeri manufactures the bar to fit and match the Lilla perfectly. I mount the LED lights once the bars make their way across the Atlantic to the USA. This ensures that the lights match our North American electrical standards. I am excited to offer this exclusive lighting solution to you!
The making of a Lilla
Lilla looms are built in the small workshop of AK:s Snickeri in Öxabäck, Sweden. Thomas, the lead carpenter, is a third-generation owner. The reknowned Swedish weaver, Ulla Cyrus, reached out to Thomas's father with her idea for the vertical countermarch (she invented it!). Together they designed and built the loom that now bears her name, the Ulla Cyrus loom. AK:s Snickeri later began building the Lilla looms to serve weavers needing a more space-efficient loom without sacrificing robustness and the vertical countermarch.
What a treat to visit Thomas and Solveig at the AK:s Snickeri workshop in Öxabäck, Sweden! The workshop is nestled in a fairytale forest at the end of a gravel road. Moomintroll sighting, anyone?
Lilla loom in the workshop
Here's a 60 cm cousin, residing comfortably in my bedroom. She's a sweetie!
