Weaving Glossary
This English/Greek glossary is not a complete overview of all weaving terms. Instead, it covers the terms used in the articles on this site. For a more comprehensive glossary, see A Glossary of Weaving Terms. Where possible, the Modern Greek term is also provided. However, it should be noted that there are distinct regional differences in these terms. Also some specialized Greek weaving terms are not found in a Greek dictionary. In such cases, the given spelling is based on Divry’s New English-Greek and Greek-English Dictionary orthography.
Balanced weave (n) The warp and weft show equally in the finished cloth.
Beater (n) A special tool used to push against the finished row of weaving to create a tight, firm cloth. Beaters of different types are used depending on the fiber being woven and the loom in use.
Bobbin (n) A small spool used to hold the thread or yarn.
Bobbin winder (n) A machine used to wind yarn on to a bobbin.
Breast beam (n) Another name for the cloth beam, or the crosspiece of the loom which is
closest to the weaver during weaving. It is usually applied to looms having a continuous warp.
Cloth beam (n) The crosspiece of a loom frame, or on some looms a separate bar which holds the rolled up finished cloth.
Comb (n) 1. A part of more complex looms which separates individual warp threads to keep them straight and evenly spaced and which also serves as a Beater, pushing the newly put in weft against the finished edge of the weaving. It is sometimes called the Reed, because it was traditionally constructed of thin slivers of reed. 2. A comb may also refer to a toothed tool used to straighten and
untangle fibers before spinning.
Comb (v) The process by which fibers are straightened and smoothed to prepare them for spinning.
Dents (n) The spaces between the teeth of the comb.
Drafting (v) Drawing a diagram of a threading pattern for the warp.
Fiber (n) The raw material, from a plant, animal or synthetic source, from which thread, yarn or pliable strips are made for weaving.
Handloom (n) Any frame which holds the threads taut for human-powered weaving.
Harness (n) A combination of pulleys and heddles which raise and lower selected warp threads.
Heddles (n) A special device, of varying design, which holds selected warp threads in the proper position for weaving.
Heddle stick (n) A rod or stick which supports the heddles.
Lease Sticks (n) Two lightweight sticks or poles woven into the warp behind the heddles. They increase warp tension and help keep the warp straight and evenly spaced.
Loom (n) [αργαλειόσ/argaleios] A device for weaving cloth that comes in many forms and designs.
Knotted weaves (n) A style of weaving in which the weft is tied to the warp with one of several special knots.
Macrame (n) A technique for making fringes, braids, laces, and openwork designs using several types of knots, especially the square knot.
Multiple Harness Loom (n) Any loom having more than one set of harnesses.
Overhand knot (n) A simple knot used to join two threads together, and also used to tie together the warp left at each end of a woven piece.
Pile (n) A shaggy weft, similar to fur or velvet, produced by knotted weaves that have been cut.
Plain weave (n) The simplest of all the weaves. The weft is woven over and under alternating warps. Also known as Tabby Weave.
Plying (v) Twisting together two or more strands of fiber or yarn to produce a thicker or stronger thread or yarn.
Raddle (n) A special tool used to guide the warp on to the warp beam during the warping process.
Selvedges (n) The edges of the woven cloth that are parallel to the warp.
Shag (n) A soft, upstanding weft, similar to pile, except that the weft is left uncut and so has an uneven, fluffy appearance. It is produced by the knotted weaves.
Shed (n) The space created when selected warp threads are raised and lowered through which the weft is passed.
Shed stick (n) A stick used on simple looms to create the shed, or space through which the weft is passed.
Shuttle (n) A tool of various design that holds the weft
as it is passed through the shed.
Skein (n) A measured length of continuous yarn wound in a loose circle and tied at opposite ends.
Skeiner (n) A tool used to wind yarn into a skein.
Skein winder (n) A tool used to hold a skein of yarn as it is unwound on to a shuttle or bobbin. Sometimes called a Reeler.
Soumak weave (n) In this weave, a weft thread is wound back around one or more warp threads. This creates a raised, braided effect. This video illustrates the technique in slow motion. Soumak Weave
Spindle (n) A quickly rotating stick on which spun yarn is wound. The rotating motion of the spindle twists the fiber into thread.
Spinning (v) Twisting together animal, plant or synthetic fibers to create continuous strands of thread.
Spinning wheel (n) A human-powered mechanical device which serves to rotate the spindle for spinning fibers into yarn.
Square knot (n) A strong knot used to join two threads securely together; also used in Macrame.
Stretcher (n) A metal or wooden bar that holds the edges or selvedges of the woven cloth
parallel. Also known as a temple.
Tapestry weave (n) A variety of plain weave in which several colors are woven into a design or picture.
Taut (adj) A string or thread pulled as tightly as possible. The tauter (or tighter) a thread is pulled the higher the pitch sound will be made when the string or yarn is plucked with the fingers.
Textile (n) ύφασμα A woven cloth.
Thread (n) [κλωστή/klosti] A continuous strand of fiber, usually fairly thin.
Threading (v) Drawing the warp through the heddle and teeth of the comb.
Treadles (n) Another name for the foot pedals which operate the harnesses on the foot-powered loom.
Twill weave (n) A weave produced when a warp or weft thread, or both, go over and under more than one thread at a time in a regular pattern.
Twist (n) The direction in which yarn is turned in spinning or plying. A Z twist turns clockwise. An S twist turns counterclockwise.
Twisting (v) The process of placing a weight on one end of a pliable strip of fiber and turning the strip to produce a rounded circumference.
Warp (n) The group of threads or yarns stretched across the loom frame, and extending perpendicularly from the weaver’s body. Also, called Warp Threads.
Warp beam (n) A bar or crosspiece found on most looms which hold the unwoven warp threads.
Warp chain (n) A simple finger crochet chain used to gather measured warp and
prevent it from untangling.
Warp-faced (adj) A cloth in which only the warp threads show.
Warping (v) The process of winding the warp on to the loom frame or warp beam and threading it through the heddles and comb.
Warping board (n) A special tool used to measure out a long length of warp in a confined area.
Watermill (n) [νερόμυλος/neromilos] A machine which uses water to felt woolen textiles.
Weave (n) The pattern or arrangement in which the warp and weft intertwine.
Weaver (n) [υφατής/ifantis] The person who is operating the loom.
Weaver’s knot (n) A special knot used only for joining a broken warp thread. It does not slip.
Weaving (v) The process of intertwining the warp and weft together to create a piece of cloth.
Weft (n) The threads woven in and out of the stretched warp to produce a piece of continuous cloth. Also referred to as weft threads.
Weft-faced (adj) A cloth in which only the weft threads show.
Yarn (n) [ηημα/nima] A continuous strand of fiber.