Dobby loom

Raising or lowering several shafts at the same time gives a huge variety of possible sheds (gaps) through which the shuttle containing the weft thread can be thrown.

A manual dobby uses a chain of bars or lags each of which has pegs inserted to select the shafts to be moved.

The tie-up consists of cords or similar mechanical linkages tying the treadles to the lams that actually lift or lower the shaft.

Most eight-shaft floor looms have only ten to twelve treadles due to space limitations.

It is even possible to change tie-ups in the middle of weaving a cloth but this is a tedious process, so this too is rarely done.

Dobby looms expand a weaver's capabilities and remove some of the tedious work involved in designing and producing fabric.

Many newer cloth design techniques such as network drafting can only reach their full potential on a dobby loom.