One question we've been asked quite a bit since the launch of the Chloe Pocket Loom is how it can be used for bead weaving, especially when the Saffron Pocket Loom is not really recommended as a bead loom.
The answer is warp spacing. The Chloe Loom is available with different combs on the loom which space the warp threads differently. For bead weaving, the warp threads usually need to be closer together than the 8 dents per inch (8 warp threads per inch measured horizontally at the top of the loom) that the Saffron Loom provides.
Setts for Bead Weaving
For bead weaving, the sett you weave at depends on the bead sizes you are using. For 11/0 seed beads, which are the most common bead size, you want your warps spaced at 14 dents per inch, so the 14 dent comb is perfect. For 11/0 Delica beads we have 16 and 18 dent combs available as well. Check out our Chloe Bead Weaving Starter Package if you're interested in purchasing this loom with all three combs.
No Warp-Ends/Four Selvedge Weaving
One of the really fun things about weaving beads on a Chloe is that you can make bead weavings with only two warp ends to finish. First, you set your loom so the distance between the combs is the exact length of the piece you want to make. Then, you weave all the way from comb to comb. The last row might require you to loosen your tension a bit to get it in there! When you remove the piece from the loom, you’ll have little loops where the warp threads were over the tines and when you let the piece rest and spread out the beads a bit, they will fill those gaps and you just have two ends to weave in.
The Longer and Shorter Rods
There are longer and shorter rods available for the Chloe Loom. I recommend the longer rod for bead weaving when not using the method discussed above just because it gives you more length for fishing the ends. The shorter rod is great if you're going to be making tiny four-selvedge pieces (like, for example, beaded earrings) and don't want to deal with any extra rod sticking up on the top of the loom.
Suggested Purchase for Bead Weaving
Chloe Bead Weaving Starter Package
The Chloe Pocket Loom with a 14, 16 or 18 dent comb and two wrenches (5" or 8")
The Chloe Stand
Short Pocket Loom Rod
Long Pocket Loom Rod
