US Patent 7424898 Apparatus and method for warping a loom

An apparatus and method for warping a loom includes a heddle with an open or openable break in the circumference of its eyelet that allows insertion and removal of warp thread with simple motions through the break while both ends of the warp threads are fastened to the loom. A warp beam includes a plurality of retaining members that retain parallel strands of warp thread in a spaced relationship to one another. A length of warp thread is wound in consecutive parallel lines between two spaced apart warp beams. The combination of openable heddles and warp beams with warp thread retaining members allow a loom or knitting device to be rapidly set-up, allow for easy correction of mistakes, and for the removal and reloading of the heddles or a weaving project in mid-production.