Authentic Navajo loom and supplies for sale - $350
I am selling my “Shimasani quality” Navajo Loom and equipment made in Window Rock, Arizona by Navajo weaver and loommaker Mark Deschinney.
“Coming from generations of Navajo tool makers, Mark H. Deschinny continues the tradition of making weaving tools. All Deschinny tools are individually hand-cut, hand-grinded, hand-sanded and finely finished for a superb feel and protection for generations of weaving.”
INFO:
“Each loom employees the unique Deschinny Design where the weaver can create a warp and weave using the same loom frame. Conventionally, Navajos use a warp frame to make a warp. Then, the weaver puts the warp onto a different frame, the weaving loom. Overall, you would need 2 frames to weave. The Deschinny Design combines the functionality of both frames into one. The Deschinny Design also allows for weaving on both sides of the loom at the same time. In addition with removable “feet”, the Deschinny looms are easy to store and transport.
I have already warped this loom in the authentic manner, a long and involved process. It is warped with authentic Navajo Churro wool warp spun by Navajo women. This is very strong warp. I purchased it through a co-op in 2010.
The package includes:
Yazhi Loom
“Perfect for students learning or for professionals needing a beautiful loom for demonstrations, the YAZHI Loom is the ideal portable loom.”
DIMENSIONS:
31”x40”x24” w/feet
28”x40”x5” wo/feet
Deschinny looms are “5-in-1” or “4-in-1” looms.
- You can make your warp with loom (on the back) and transfer it to the front. You don’t need a warping frame.
You can weave on the front of the loom (as I have set up)
You can weave on the back of the loom - you would need to warp and tension separately, just like the front, so two people can weave at one time. You would need more dowels.
Using wrap-over/wrap-under set-up, you can weave up to 2 to 3 times the average lengths - I am not sure how to do this, but I can see by the design of the loom how it could be done.
You can set-up loom to weave miniature textiles.”*
Includes all dowels and warping hardware. The hardware is in the little Guatemalan woven bag hanging from the side of the loom.
I marked the warping dowels on a removable piece of Artist’s tape in order to ensure even spacing when warping the loom. They are marked at 1/4” intervals with larger marks every 1”.
The pull heddle dowel is attached and functional, and the weaving shed is clear. You can see the looped pull heddle dowel near the bottom of the picture as well as the shed stick dowel behind it.
BATTENS AND FORK
Two 1 3/16” X 24” oak battens (one is in the little bit of weaving at the bottom)
Two 3/4” X 24” oak battens
24” finishing needle
1 5/8 inch X 9” walnut weaving fork
Most battens are made with a slight curve except for finishing battens/needles, sashbelt battens and Puebloan/Hopi weaving battens. Bottom edge of battens are tapered and the top edge is squared. The Curve and Squared Edge make for minimal slippage of batten while weaving.”
WARP
One partial cone of Navajo Churro warp…the remainder is on the loom.
WEFT - (basket not included)
9 skeins Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride - 85% wool, 15% mohair I an’t remember if I got worsted or bulky, but it looks bulky to me.
4 skeins are full, the other 5 are partial with smaller balls created for easier weaving.
NAVAJO SPINDLE
Red oak - 34” long with 4 1/2” whorl
The traditional tool used to spin various fibers into yarns and to ply yarns. Spindles are very balanced and constructed of Red Oak(RO) for generations of spinning. Tips are tapered and bottom shaft is pointed for minimal spin drag.
WEAVING INSTRUCTION BOOK
“How to Weave the Navajo Way”
Purchased from the Weaving in Beauty weaving school in Window Rock, Arizona. It was an ebook I printed out. It has complete details for warping, weaving, mastering techniques, and more. It has a link to instructional videos on page 3. I just checked and the link still works.
FREE BONUSES
1 1/2 yards of 60” wide native-american style woven fleece-like woolen-like fabric (see the battens picture)
Another Navajo-style loom I built first to see if I was interested in weaving and acquiring more authentic tools. You are welcome to take it off my hands. It doesn’t have all the dowels, but it is free! 
(Sheltie not included)
The cost of everything new would be about $450, especially since I changed out the original poplar dowels with oak dowels for strength.
I am asking $350 for everything, local pickup in NE Ohio or I will drive an hour to meet. I can’t ship the loom since it is warped.
Cross-posted in Navajo Weaving