Floor & Table Looms

Choosing between a floor loom and a table loom usually comes down to space, budget and the size of projects you want to weave. Both styles can produce beautiful cloth, but they handle differently in daily use.

Floor Loom or Table Loom?

A floor loom, such as the Schacht Baby Wolf or Toika Liisa, uses foot pedals to change sheds, which speeds up weaving and frees both hands for the shuttle. These looms take up a permanent footprint in a room. A table loom, like the Louet Erica or Louet Jane, sits on a tabletop or stand and uses hand levers instead of pedals, making it more portable and better suited to smaller spaces, though weaving pace is slower.

Thinking About Project Size

Weaving width and the number of shafts determine what projects a loom can handle. Larger floor looms, including multi-shaft options like the Toika Jaana, suit wide cloth such as blankets or yardage, while table looms work well for scarves, samples and narrower pieces.

Trying Before You Commit

• Compare foot-pedal action on a floor loom against the lever system on a table loom
• Consider how often you'll move or store the loom between projects
• Look at shaft count if you plan to weave more complex structures over time

FAQ

Is a table loom easier for beginners than a floor loom? Many weavers find table looms simpler to start with since they're smaller and don't require pedal coordination, though a floor loom is faster once you're comfortable.

How much space does a floor loom need? It needs a dedicated spot, as most floor looms stay assembled rather than folding away between sessions.

Can I weave wide projects on a table loom? Table looms generally have a narrower weaving width than floor looms, so check the specific model's capacity for wider work.