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Countermarche Loom Tie-Up Instructions - All Fiber Arts
How to do the Pattern Tie Up a Countermarche Loom
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Countermarche Loom Tie-Up Instructions

These photos and diagrams were originally printed in:
Handbok Iveving
J.W. Carpelens Forlag
CentralTrykkeriet, Oslo
1958

I have added the Red lettering to the diagrams, to help in identifying the tie-ups.

When you begin to tie the pedals on a countermarche loom, make sure that the stabilizing pin is in place at the top of the loom. This holds the jacks in place while you tie the pedals.

When you tie a countermarche loom, all the ties have to be level. All the cords have to be equal length for each harness. Using Texsolv cord makes this an easier task because you can count the number of loops in the cord and also make small adjustments by moving the pegs up or down one loop. I also use a small carpenters level to check that the harnesses are level.

There are 2 types of countermarche looms. One of them (Type A) has 2 sets of levers or jacks at the top of the loom that rotate on a center axle. A,B, C. The other type (Type B) has 1 lever or jack in the center and a set of pulleys.

Type B

Pattern Tie-up

The pattern tie-up is the same for both types of countermarche looms.

Bottoms Up
The Bottom Lamm - J -raises the shafts. When the Bottom Lamm is tied to the pedals and depressed, this pulls on the Top lever (C - D) causing A to rise. This raises the shaft at B.

Tops Down
The Top Lamm - I - lowers the shafts. The Top Lamm is tied to the Centre of the Bottom Shaft at E - F. When the pedals are tied to the Top Lamm, this pulls down on the shaft causing it to lower.

For a Rising Shed tie-up, I tie all the Bottom Lamm sheds first. Then I go back and tie the Top Lamms.

To hold the pedals in place while doing the tie-up, I prop them up on a rod.
A broom handle and a couple of boxes work fine for this.

When tying up a pattern for a countermarche loom, you only need to tie up the number of treadles that you require for the pattern. The other treadles can be left untied and sitting on the floor.

But you will need to tie up each shaft that is operating - to either a top or a bottom lamm, on each pedal. If you are using 4 shafts and 6 pedals, you will need to make 24 ties.

Example:
This table describes the tie-ups necessary for a standard tabby and twill tie-up.

Pedal 1Shaft 1 & 3 raisedJ - K
Tie the Shafts that will be raised by Pedal 1 Tie Bottom Lamm 1 to the Pedal
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 1 in #1 Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 1 on the Pedal 1
Tie Bottom Lamm 3 to Pedal #1
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 1 in #3 Bottom Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 3 on the Pedal

I - K
Now tie the other 2 shafts that will be pulled down (Shafts 2 & 4 to Pedal #1
Tie Top Lamm #2 to Pedal #1
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #1 in Top Lamm #2. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #2 in Pedal 1.
Tie Top Lamm #4 to Pedal #1
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #1 in Top Lamm #4. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #4 in Pedal 1.

Pedal 2Shaft 2 & 4 raisedJ - K
Tie Bottom Lamm 2 to the Pedal #2
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 2 in #2 Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 2 on the Pedal 2
Tie Bottom Lamm 4 to Pedal #2
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole #2 in #4 Bottom Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 4 on Pedal #2

I - K
Now tie the other 2 shafts that will be pulled down (Shafts 1 & 3 to Pedal #2
Tie Top Lamm #1 to Pedal #2
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #2 in Top Lamm #1. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #1 in Pedal 2.
Tie Top Lamm #3 to Pedal #2
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #2 in Top Lamm #3. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #3 in Pedal 2.

Pedal 3Shaft 1 & 2 raisedJ - K
Tie Bottom Lamm 1 to the Pedal #3
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 3 in #1 Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 1 on the Pedal 3
Tie Bottom Lamm 2 to Pedal #3
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 3 in #2 Bottom Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 2 on the Pedal 3

I - K
Now tie the other 2 shafts that will be pulled down (Shafts 3 & 4 to Pedal #3
Tie Top Lamm #3 to Pedal #3
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #3 in Top Lamm #3. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #3 in Pedal 3.
Tie Top Lamm #4 to Pedal #3
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #3 in Top Lamm #4. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #4 in Pedal 3.

Pedal 4Shaft 2 & 3 raisedJ - K
Tie Bottom Lamm 2 to the Pedal #4
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 4 in #2 Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 2 on the Pedal 4
Tie Bottom Lamm 3 to Pedal #4
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 4 in #3 Bottom Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 3 on the Pedal 4

I - K
Now tie the other 2 shafts that will be pulled down (Shafts 1 & 4 to Pedal #4
Tie Top Lamm #1 to Pedal #4
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #4 in Top Lamm #1. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #1 in Pedal 4.
Tie Top Lamm #4 to Pedal #4
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #4 in Top Lamm #4. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #4 in Pedal 4.

Pedal 5
Shaft 3 & 4 raised		J - K
Tie Bottom Lamm 3 to the Pedal #5
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole#5 in #3 Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 3 on the Pedal 5
Tie Bottom Lamm 4 to Pedal #5
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 5 in #4 Bottom Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 4 on the Pedal 5

I - K
Now tie the other 2 shafts that will be pulled down (Shafts 1 & 2 to Pedal #5
Tie Top Lamm #1 to Pedal #5
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #5 in Top Lamm #1. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #1 in Pedal 5.
Tie Top Lamm #2 to Pedal #5
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #5 in Top Lamm #2. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #2 in Pedal 5.

Pedal 6Shaft 1 & 4 raisedJ - K
Tie Bottom Lamm 1 to the Pedal #6
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 6 in #1 Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 1 on the Pedal 6
Tie Bottom Lamm 4 to Pedal #6
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through the hole# 6 in #4 Bottom Lamm and to the corresponding hole # 4 on the Pedal 6

I - K
Now tie the other 2 shafts that will be pulled down (Shafts 2 & 3 to Pedal #6
Tie Top Lamm #2 to Pedal #6
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #6 in Top Lamm #2. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #2 in Pedal 6.
Tie Top Lamm #3 to Pedal #6
If using Texsolv, run the Texsolv cord through hole #6 in Top Lamm #3. Pass the cord behind the Bottom Lamm - not through the hole or you will lock up your loom. Tie the cord to the corresponding hole #3 in Pedal 6.

Done! Now remove all the balancing pegs and test the treadling. If your pedals fall to the floor you will need to adjust the lengths of the cords, shortening them slightly. It may take a bit of adjusting to get this right, but once you have the loom balanced and running, it will be a joy to weave on. Changing tie-ups for different patterns isn't as difficult as it appears. Often you may only have to change a few of the upper or lower lamm cords.

Type A - Countermarche Loom Tie-up

Type B - Countermarche Loom Tie-up

Countermarche Loom pictures
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