Customers at the beginning of their weaving journey often come to us wondering if they start should with a small loom to learn on or if they should go with a larger loom that might ultimately better fit their needs. The answer, of course, depends on a lot of factors, but I wanted to discuss some reasons why one might choose a particular loom size as their first Mirrix.
Smaller Isn't Easier
While warping a smaller Mirrix like our new Chloe Loom can seem a bit less intimidating than a larger Mirrix, generally speaking it's no more difficult to use a larger loom than a smaller one (check out this blog post to learn about the different options of warping a Mirrix Loom listed from the easiest first.) You can weave a simple tapestry or bead weaving on a 38" Zeus Loom just as you can on an 8" Lani Loom, the concept is the same.
Commitment
Which size you choose may simply come down to your commitment to learning to weave. If you know tapestry or bead weaving is going to be something you'll love and you want to weave larger pieces eventually, then go for a larger loom. You can always weave a small piece on a larger loom, but not the other way around!
Price
Especially if you aren't sure if you're going to stick with weaving, you might want to choose a smaller loom simply because it's less expensive. Our Pocket Looms are more affordable than our Classic Series Looms, which makes them a wonderful choice for beginners.
Variety
If you look at Mirrix's stats as an e-commerce company the one that stands out is customer loyalty. Our rate of return customers is off the charts and many of those customers are buying second, third, fourth or fifth looms. If you see yourself wanting multiple looms, you can look at buying your first from a different perspective. Sure, you might want to make huge tapestries at some point, but if you can always start small and then get a larger loom later on to fit your future needs. Or, you can start big and get a more portable loom another time.
Consider Mid-Size
I often recommend that customer who are choosing between loom sizes go with some mid-sized. The 16" Big Sister Loom is our best-selling loom for a reason. It walks that line between portability and functionality.
We Can Help
If I can confidently say I'm an expert at anything, it's helping people choose the right loom size for their needs. And I'm happy to help you! Fill out our "Get Help Choosing a Loom" form here and I'll send you a free, personalized loom recommendation.
