reed

weaving

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

Reeds are tall grasses that grow in wet areas, known for their slender, jointed stems. Historically, dried reed stems have been valuable for various purposes, including thatching, construction, basketry, and even musical instruments.12

In the context of weaving, a "reed" refers to a device on a loom that resembles a comb. This reed is crucial for spacing warp yarns evenly, ensuring the fabric is constructed correctly. A faulty reed or improper setting of the loom can lead to a defect in the cloth known as a "reed mark". The process of weaving itself involves interlacing yarns to create fabric, with the reed playing a vital role in maintaining the structure and spacing of the warp threads.1345

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textile
Early development of the loom
…reeds and thus called a reed, which, mounted at right angles to the warp, oscillates between the heddles and the junction of the warp and the cloth. The ends pass, one or more at a time, through the spaces between consecutive reed wires, so that the reed, in addition to…
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…reeds and thus called a reed, which, mounted at right angles to the warp, oscillates between the heddles and the junction of the warp and the cloth. The ends pass, one or more at a time, through the spaces between consecutive reed wires, so that the reed, in addition to…
Read More