The 5 best looms for adults: our recommendations

This article has been around since 2023. I have now rewritten it from scratch, because our range has changed and because after many conversations with customers I have a much clearer idea of which loom suits whom. I did not pick the five looms below from a catalogue. They are the models our customers bought most often over the last twelve months, sorted by what you want to do with them: from a rigid heddle loom to get started to a floor loom you can weave on for decades.

Not sure yet which type of loom is right for you? Our page Which loom is right for me? will help.

What to look for when buying a loom

• Weaving width: this sets the maximum width of your piece. For scarves, 40 cm (16 in) is enough. For blankets, shawls or fabric, 70 cm (28 in) or more makes sense.
• Shafts: a rigid heddle loom has no shafts and mainly weaves plain weave. With 4 shafts you can weave twill and many classic structures, with 8 or more shafts far more complex patterns.
• Space: a rigid heddle loom goes back in the cupboard when you are done. A floor loom stays put and also needs room beside and behind it so you can dress it.
• Table or floor: on a table loom you change the shafts by hand. On a floor loom you use your feet, so both hands are free for the shuttle and you weave noticeably faster.
• Budget: with us, a good rigid heddle loom starts at €219, a table loom with shafts at €430 and a floor loom at €3,572. Remember to allow for yarn, extra reeds or a loom bench.

1. To get started: Kromski Harp Forte rigid heddle loom

The Harp Forte is a rigid heddle loom made by hand in Europe by Kromski, from European alder. It comes in 20, 40, 60 and 80 cm (8, 16, 24 and 32 in) weaving widths. A warping board is built into the back, and a warping peg and table clamps are included. So you can warp directly at the table or on the built in board, whichever you prefer, and all you need to start is yarn. Handy detail: the loom folds up even with a warp on it.

Good for: scarves, shawls, cushion covers and anything woven in plain weave. A double heddle block is included, so with two heddles you can also weave finer cloth.

Right for you if you want to start weaving without much fuss and put the loom away in a cupboard afterwards.

To be honest: a rigid heddle loom has no shafts. Sooner or later you will hit its limits for twill or block patterns.

Price: from €259 (20 cm, without stand). Dimensions depending on width: 35 x 65 cm to 95 x 65 cm.

Alternatives: the Lojan Flex rigid heddle loom (30 or 50 cm, from €229) has a segmented Vari-Dent reed that lets you mix different setts in one warp. Later on, it can be converted into a 4 or 8 shaft table loom. The Kromski Presto (25 or 40 cm, from €219) is the Harp Forte's little sibling: foldable, easy to take with you and a lovely gift. To learn how to warp it, read How to warp a rigid heddle loom: step by step.

2. Versatile table loom with 4 or 8 shafts: Lojan Flex

The Lojan Flex is made in the Netherlands from beech. You choose between 30 and 50 cm weaving width and between 4 and 8 shafts. If you start with 4 shafts, you can upgrade to 8 later without buying a new loom. Assembled, it takes up 47 x 62 cm (30 cm weaving width) or 67 x 62 cm (50 cm weaving width) on the table and stands 42 cm high. Folded, it is only about 16 to 17 cm high and weighs about 7 kg with 4 shafts or 8 kg with 8 shafts. It comes as a kit. Included are, among other things, a 40/10 stainless steel reed (10 dpi), Texsolv heddles and two weaving needles.

Good for: your first shaft weaves such as twill, samples before a bigger project, classes and workshops.

Right for you if you want to move beyond the rigid heddle loom but do not have the space or budget for a larger loom.

To be honest: with a maximum weaving width of 50 cm, it is too narrow for blankets or wide fabric. And you assemble it yourself, which is quite doable with the instructions provided.

Price: from €430 (4 shafts, 30 cm, without stand).

3. Table loom with lots of potential: Louët Jane

To me, the Jane is one of the best thought out table looms there is. It is made of lacquered beech, all cords run over rollers so they do not wear through, and the beater hangs from the top, so it stays out of your way when you throw the shuttle. It comes in 50, 70 and 90 cm weaving widths with 8 or 16 shafts. The 8 shaft Jane can be upgraded to 16 shafts later with an expansion kit. For transport it folds down to 14 cm high (21 cm with 16 shafts), even with a warp on.

Good for: multishaft patterns, fine fabrics, scarves and table runners, and for anyone who often takes their loom to a class.

Right for you if you want to dig into weave structures seriously but have no permanent spot for a floor loom.

To be honest: on the Jane you also change the shafts by hand, so for long warps a floor loom is faster. The 70 cm version has no carrying handle, and on the 8 shaft model the shuttle race is only available as an accessory.

Price: from €1,093 (8 shafts, 50 cm). Dimensions: 67 x 75 x 65 cm (Jane 50) to 107 x 87 x 65 cm (Jane 90).

4. Compact floor loom: Louët David 3

When someone wants a floor loom, Louët is the brand I recommend most often. The looms are well made and built to last, and our customers are very happy with them. The David 3 is the more compact of the two Louët floor looms on this list. It has 8 shafts and a sinking shed. Sinking shed means: when you press the treadle, the shafts are pulled down and the shed opens wide and evenly. The weight of your foot is enough to keep it open. The beater is height adjustable. It comes in 70, 90 and 110 cm weaving widths. With the back beam folded in, it is only 72 cm deep. It is delivered partly assembled, and many weavers appreciate how quiet it is.

Good for: fabric, shawls, blankets and patterns with up to 8 shafts.

Right for you if you want to weave with your feet but only have a study or a corner of the living room to spare.

To be honest: the David 3 has 8 shafts. If you already know you will need more, look at the Spring 2 instead. The loom bench is not included and costs extra.

Price: from €3,572 (70 cm, without bench). Dimensions: 104 x 87 x 120 cm (David 70) to 144 x 87 x 120 cm (David 110).

5. A floor loom for life: Louët Spring 2

The Spring 2 is the loom you buy when you know you will keep weaving. It uses Louët's parallel countermarch system and a floating breast beam, so warp tension stays constant while you weave. It comes in 90 and 110 cm weaving widths with 8 or 12 shafts. The 8 shaft Spring can be upgraded to 12 shafts later, and the rollers for that are already fitted. With the friction brake on the warp beam and the advancing lever on the cloth beam, you can advance the warp comfortably without getting up. The frame is lacquered beech with 27 mm thick uprights.

Good for: fine fabrics, blankets and complex patterns with up to 12 shafts.

Right for you if you weave regularly and want a loom that will grow with you for many years.

To be honest: tying up a countermarch takes a bit more work than a sinking shed loom, but in return you get a clean, even shed. The Spring needs space, and the bench costs extra.

Price: from €5,180 (8 shafts, 90 cm, without bench). Dimensions: 120 x 94 x 115 cm (Spring 90) to 140 x 94 x 115 cm (Spring 110).

If you want to weave even wider, for rugs or large blankets for example, the Toika Eeva is an alternative: a countermarch floor loom in solid Finnish birch with 80 to 150 cm weaving width and 4, 8 or 12 shafts, from €4,690. At 117 x 150 x 170 cm (Eeva 80), however, it is considerably larger.

All five compared

Dimensions and prices as listed on our product pages, for the smallest version without accessories.

Which loom is right for you?

If you are still unsure, start with a good rigid heddle loom or table loom rather than buying a floor loom straight away that may not suit you. Many weavers start this way, and you will keep using your rigid heddle loom later on, for a quick scarf or when you are travelling. On our page Which loom is right for me? we go through the key questions one by one.

Prefer learning with a teacher by your side? In our weaving courses you learn the basics with experienced tutors.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best loom for beginners?
A rigid heddle loom such as the Kromski Harp Forte, the Kromski Presto or the Lojan Flex rigid heddle loom. You learn the basics without spending much money or space.

How much does a good loom for home cost?
With us, a rigid heddle loom starts at €219, a table loom with shafts at €430 and a floor loom at €3,572.

Table loom or floor loom?
A table loom is smaller, cheaper and easy to put away. On a floor loom you weave with your feet and therefore faster, but it needs a permanent spot.

Can I buy a second hand loom?
Yes, but look at it closely first. Old looms that were stored in damp conditions often warp. Unfortunately a warped loom can no longer be used.