10 Steps to Warping – Step 3
This post has been updated and moved to:
10 Steps to Warp: Reed Size
A reed is usually made of metal and sits in the beater. It looks much like a comb with small teeth.It’s purpose is to keep the warp threads spread across the web, at an even distance, and is used to beat the weft threads into place while weaving.

Bamboo Reed
Reeds come in several standard sizes such as 6, 8, 10 or 12 epi. Metric size reeds are also popular. This table gives some of the more common Inch and Metric size reeds.
Dents per Inch | Dents per Centimetre |
4 | 1.5 |
5 | 2 |
6 | 2.5 |
8 | 3 |
10 | 4 |
12 | 5 |
15 | 6 |
18 | 7 |
20 | 8 |
Once you have decided on the sett of your project, you will need to choose an appropriate reed. Choose the reed that best distributes your yarn to the appropriate sett.
For example, if your sett is 8 epi then use an 8 dent reed, threading one end into each dent. If your sett is 20 epi, choose a 10 dent reed, threading 2 ends into each dent. If you do not have a selection of reeds to choose from, try to space your yarn evenly in the reed that you have, by doubling up ends into the same dent if necessary.
10 Steps to Warping
Step 1. Choose your project and yarns.
Step 2. Determine the sett of your cloth, or how many threads per inch the fabric will be.
Step 3. Choose the correct Reed
Step 4. Calculate the Yarn requirements.
Step 5. Wind the Warp using a warping board or warping mill.
Step 6. Remove the warp chains and place them on the loom.
Step 7. Sley the Reed.
Step 8. Thread the heddles, following the draft plan.
Step 9. Wind the warp onto the back beam
Step 10. Tie the warp ends to the front beam.
Congratulations! Now you a ready to Weave!
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