6 Best Lease Sticks For Keeping Cross Alignment
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Maintaining a perfect cross in your warp is the secret to a stress-free weaving session that lets you focus on your pattern rather than untangling threads. Lease sticks act as the backbone of your warp, ensuring that every individual strand stays exactly where it belongs from the moment you beam it. Whether you are a brand-new weaver or a seasoned pro, choosing the right sticks can make the difference between a smooth shed and a frustrating afternoon. Here are six reliable options that prioritize stability and precision for your loom.
Schacht Spindle Company Flat Maple Lease Sticks
Schacht has long been the gold standard for American-made weaving equipment, and their maple lease sticks reflect that reputation for durability. The hardwood construction provides a stiff, non-bending surface that won’t warp under the tension of a long, tight warp.
Maple is an excellent choice because it is dense and smooth, meaning it won’t snag delicate fibers like silk or fine wool. If you are working with high-tension warps, the structural integrity of these sticks ensures they won’t bow in the middle.
Because they are flat, they provide a stable platform for your cross. You won’t have to worry about them rolling out of place when you are adjusting your tension.
Ashford Traditional Loom Hardwood Lease Sticks
Ashford sticks are designed with the practical weaver in mind, offering a balance of weight and smoothness. They are crafted to be robust enough for heavy-duty projects while remaining light enough to handle easily during the warping process.
The natural finish on these sticks is consistently well-sanded. This is a critical detail; a rough spot on a lease stick can shred your warp threads, especially if you are using a sticky, singles-spun yarn.
These sticks are widely available and sized to fit the standard Ashford range perfectly. If you already own an Ashford loom, these are the most logical choice to ensure a seamless fit.
Kromski Rigid Heddle Loom Rigid Heddle Loom Lease Stick Set
Kromski is known for their beautiful European alder wood, which is both lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. These sticks are specifically shaped to complement the geometry of rigid heddle looms, where space behind the heddle is often at a premium.
Because rigid heddle looms have a more compact setup, you need sticks that don’t take up too much vertical space. The Kromski design is slim, allowing for a clean shed even when your warp is quite long.
The finish is typically a light, clear lacquer that keeps the wood from absorbing moisture. This prevents the sticks from swelling or warping in humid climates, which is a common issue with unfinished wood.
Leclerc Looms Polished Birch Lease Sticks
Leclerc is a staple in professional studios, and their birch lease sticks are built for longevity. Birch is a fantastic material because it is incredibly strong yet has a very tight grain, which translates to a glass-like finish.
If you frequently weave with sticky mohair or delicate hand-spun yarns, you need a surface that offers zero resistance. The polished nature of these birch sticks ensures that your warp threads glide across them without catching.
These sticks are often slightly thicker than others on the market, which adds to their rigidity. If you are a weaver who likes to put a very high tension on your warp, these will stand up to the pressure without bowing.
Glimakra Standard Flat Beechwood Lease Sticks
Glimakra gear is legendary for its ability to handle centuries of use, and their beechwood lease sticks are no exception. Beech is a hard, heavy wood that is virtually indestructible, making these a "buy it once" investment for your studio.
The flat profile of these sticks is ideal for maintaining the cross in complex patterns. They lie perfectly flat against each other, which prevents any accidental thread migration between the sticks.
Because they are so dense, they do not vibrate or chatter when you are beating your weft. This stability is essential when you are working on a large floor loom where precision is paramount.
Louet Flat Wood Lease Sticks for Table Looms
Louet understands the specific constraints of table looms, where the overhead clearance is often quite limited. These lease sticks are engineered to be low-profile, ensuring that they don’t interfere with the movement of your shafts or heddles.
The wood used is chosen for its stability, ensuring that the sticks remain straight over years of use. They are particularly good for weavers who travel with their looms, as they are lightweight and easy to pack.
While they are optimized for table looms, they are versatile enough to work on many other systems. If you need a reliable, no-nonsense stick that gets the job done without extra bulk, this is your best bet.
Why Lease Sticks Are Essential for Warp Control
Lease sticks serve as the "gatekeepers" of your warp, preserving the order of your threads as they travel from the back beam to the heddles. Without them, your warp threads would quickly become a chaotic tangle, making it impossible to achieve a clean shed.
By holding the cross, these sticks ensure that every thread is in its proper sequence. This is critical for preventing skipped threads and ensuring that your pattern remains consistent across the entire width of the fabric.
Think of them as a safety net for your sanity. Even if you have to walk away from your loom for a week, your cross remains safe and organized, ready for you to pick up exactly where you left off.
How to Properly Insert Sticks to Maintain Cross
To insert your lease sticks, you must first identify the cross created during the warping process. You carefully slide the first stick through the gap where the threads cross, followed by the second stick in the adjacent gap.
It is vital to ensure that no threads have "jumped" over the sticks. Take a moment to visually inspect the cross from both sides, ensuring that every thread is clearly separated and resting in its correct position.
Once inserted, secure the sticks to the loom frame or to each other. If they are loose, they can shift during weaving, which will inevitably lead to broken threads and dropped patterns.
Choosing the Right Length for Your Specific Loom
The length of your lease sticks should ideally match the width of your warp. If they are too short, they won’t reach the loom frame, making them difficult to secure; if they are too long, they can catch on your warp beam or loom supports.
Always measure the distance between your loom’s side frames at the point where the sticks will sit. It is better to have a stick that is slightly shorter than the maximum width, as this allows for easier movement and less chance of snagging.
If you use a variable-width reed, ensure your sticks are long enough to accommodate your widest possible warp. A set of sticks that covers your loom’s maximum weaving width is a smart, versatile investment.
Troubleshooting Common Lease Stick Warp Tangling
If you find your threads tangling, the most common culprit is a loose cross. Check that your lease sticks are secured tightly and that the tension on your warp is uniform across the entire width of the loom.
Sometimes, a sticky fiber—like a high-twist wool—can cling to the wood of the lease stick. If this happens, try lightly waxing the sticks with a bit of beeswax to create a smoother, more slippery surface.
Finally, ensure your lease sticks are not bowed or damaged. A nick in the wood can act like a hook, catching individual fibers and pulling them out of alignment. If you find a rough spot, sand it down immediately with fine-grit sandpaper to keep your warp running smoothly.
Investing in high-quality lease sticks is one of the most effective ways to upgrade your weaving experience and protect your hard-won warp. By choosing materials like maple, birch, or beech, you ensure that your tools remain as reliable as your skills. Remember that a well-maintained cross is the foundation of every beautiful piece of cloth you will ever create. Keep your sticks smooth, your tension even, and your weaving rhythm will surely follow.
