Vintage 14-Hook Speedweve - No.11
A rare 14-hook vintage Speedweve darning loom from the 1940s/50s, carefully sourced by us from vintage markets and given a gentle clean & spruce up so it's all ready for you to get mending with.
The Speedweve darning loom helps make weaving over and under threads quicker and easier. It holds the warp (vertical) threads in place over your hole and with a simple 'swish' of the hooks you can weave over one thread and under the next in seconds. No more counting "over 1, under 1, etc" which makes darning a little more relaxing and gives you the head space to experiment with colours and patterns.
This 14-hook darning loom will help you fix up moth holes, repair threadbare areas or disguise a stain with a beautiful surface darn.
A loom with 14 hooks will create a closely woven 'patch' making it perfect for darning cotton, linen, denim or light weight knitwear using fine thread e.g. Sashiko or similar.
You will receive:
- 1 x Vintage 14-Hook Speedweve Metal Loom
- 1 x Replica Oak Disk* with slightly curved top and flat base
- 1 x Small Stainless Steel Spring - custom-made in the U.K. for MM
- 1 x 20-page 'Loom Darning for Beginners' Instruction Booklet
Please take a look at photos for the condition of all the above mentioned items.
Speedweve Measurements:
- Wooden disk measures approximately 68mm (2 ¾") in diameter.
- Warp width measures approximately 48mm.
- 14 hooks spaced approx 3mm apart.
*Nut Allergy Disclaimer: Please be aware replacement/replica wood disks are treated with a walnut oil finish. If for any reason you require a disk without an oil finish please email us.
A few important points:
Each and every vintage loom we sell is a little different as they have all had a past life! Please take a look at the photos that form part of this listing for the condition of the metal loom part and any extras e.g. Speedweve box, disk and original instruction sheet.
Sometimes we're lucky enough to find a loom with it's original box &/or instructions, but sadly sometimes these are missing.
Metal looms may have spots of rust and slight damage from previous use over the years, however please rest assured that we always take apart, clean up, reassemble and test each one before they are listed for sale. Any damage is cosmetic only.
Occassionally we find looms without their original disks - these are paired up with a replica disk which is hand-turned by us here in Cornwall using solid oak. By doing this we ensure these beautiful original Speedweve looms can have another life.
The price of each Speedweve loom reflects it's current condition and any extra items it comes with e.g. box, disk and instructions.
FAQs
What is a darning loom for?
It's basically a mini loom that helps you quickly darn over a hole, stain or threadbare areas on jeans, t-shirts, socks and more! With 'traditional' darning you have to concentrate on weaving over and under individual threads, but with a simple 'swish' of the hooks the darning loom will do that part of the process for you. By simplifying the weaving process it makes mending more relaxing and enjoyable, especially for beginners.
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I'm a total beginner, how difficult is it to learn?
Not as tricky as it first appears! If you buy a loom from MM you will receive a copy of our exclusive 'Loom Darning for Beginners' guide which walks you through each step of the process from setup to tidying those loose ends when you're finished. We're sure you'll get the hang of it after just a few practice darns.
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Does the 'patch' just sit on the surface... what about the hole underneath?
It seems strange, but it really does work. The 'patch' you weave over the hole is anchored on all four sides which prevents the hole from growing any bigger, so there's absolutely no need to 'fix' the hole on the opposite side. This form of darning is known as 'surface darning; and can be done with or without a darning loom.
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Are a Speedweve and darning loom the same thing?
Yes - pretty much! These days the terms Speedweve and darning loom are used interchangeably to refer to a mini loom used to mend clothing. 'Speedweve' refers to the original vintage looms manufactured in the U.K between the 1940s and 1950s. Modern replicas are based on the original vintage Speedweve design, but are commonly known as a darning loom due to issues around patent laws.
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Can you do repairs that are minimally visible?
Of course - if you choose a colour/s that matches the garment you're repairing you can create mends that are quite discreet. But, if you're a fan of invisible mending, then to be honest, a darning loom is probably not for you.
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What happens if I start using a darning loom and get stuck?
Totally get you! You're welcome to become a member of the Speedweve Fan Club on Facebook. We have over 200 members who are all at different stages of their loom darning journey, so just post a question and you'll definitely get some helpful advice from other fellow menders. Don't forget the Ministry of Mending Instagram account is also jam-packed full of extra content including tips, tricks, videos and patterns. And, if you really are stuck we're always happy to help over email.
