Best Rigid Heddle Loom (2026): 10 Looms From 10 to 24 Inches
The best rigid heddle loom for most new weavers is the Schacht Cricket 15 inch, about $265: an 8 dent reed, 15 inch weaving width, and hook, warping peg, clamps, two shuttles and yarn in the box. Ashford SampleIt 16 inch, about $255, is its closest rival. On a budget, the Beka 10 inch loom costs about $80.
For most people starting to weave, the Schacht Cricket 15" is the loom to buy. For about $265 you get a 15 inch weaving width, an 8 dent reed that suits common worsted weight yarns, and everything needed for a first project: hook, warping peg, clamps, two shuttles and two balls of yarn. Fifteen inches is wide enough for scarves, dish towels and table runners, yet small enough for a kitchen table.
A rigid heddle loom is a simple frame loom with one bar, the heddle, full of alternating slots and holes. Lifting and lowering the heddle separates the lengthwise warp threads so you can pass the crosswise weft through. It weaves real cloth, and most weavers are making fabric the first evening.
Rigid heddle looms at a glance
| Product | Price | Weaving width | Reed | Standout detail | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Beka RH-10 | $79.99 | 10 in | See listing | Hard maple, started project, USA | Price |
 Ashford SampleIt 10" | $215.00 | 10 in (25 cm) | See listing | Silver beech | Price |
 Schacht Cricket 10" | $219.14 | 10 in | See listing | Made in USA | Price |
 Ashford SampleIt 16" | $255.00 | 16 in | 7.5 dpi | 2 shuttles, hook, peg, clamp | Price |
 Schacht Cricket 15" | $265.00 | 15 in | 8 dent | Hook, peg, clamps, 2 shuttles, yarn | Price |
 Beka Fold & Go 20" | $274.99 | 20 in | See listing | Cherry, folds, USA | Price |
 Ashford Rigid Heddle 24" | $345.00 | 24 in | See listing | Widest here | Price |
 Schacht Flip 15" | $387.00 | 15 in | 10 dent | Slots for multiple heddles | Price |
 Ashford Knitters Loom 12" | $399.00 | 12 in (30 cm) | 7.5 dpi wide-eye | Assembled and lacquered | Price |
| Kromski Harp Forte | See price | Several widths | See listing | Reseller listings | Find |
Beginner
Beginner picks: 10 inch looms, about $80 to $219
A 10 inch loom is ideal for learning, scarves, bookmarks and narrow towels, and it fits on a lap or small table. You may outgrow the width, but the skills transfer to any rigid heddle loom.
Beka 10 inch Rigid Heddle Loom (RH-10)
$79.99A 10 inch hard maple loom made in the USA that ships with a started project and yarn, about $80. Starting with the warp already on means you can weave right away and learn warping on the next project.
Best for: Lowest cost start
Check price Ashford SampleIt Rigid Heddle Loom, 10 inch
$215.00The Ashford SampleIt 10 inch (25 cm) silver beech loom, about $215. A good small loom for sampling yarns and trying patterns before committing to large projects.
Best for: Sampling and small projects
Check price Schacht Cricket Rigid Heddle Loom, 10 inch
$219.14The 10 inch version of our top pick, made in the USA, about $219. Buy it if space is tight or if you mostly want scarves.
Best for: Small spaces
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Intermediate
Intermediate picks: 12 to 24 inch looms, about $255 to $399
Fifteen to sixteen inches is the most versatile width for home weavers. Go wider for shawls, pillow covers and blanket panels.
Schacht Cricket Rigid Heddle Loom, 15 inch
$265.0015 inch weaving width, 8 dent reed, hook, warping peg, clamps, two shuttles and two balls of yarn, in unfinished maple, about $265. Everything for a first dish towel or scarf.
Best for: Most new weavers
Check price Ashford SampleIt Rigid Heddle Loom, 16 inch
$255.0016 inch width with a 7.5 dpi reed, two shuttles, a threading hook, warping peg and clamp, in unfinished silver beech, about $255. A near twin of the Cricket 15; brand preference often decides.
Best for: A 16 inch alternative
Check price Beka Fold & Go Rigid Heddle Loom, 20 inch
$274.99A 20 inch cherry loom made in the USA that folds for storage, about $275. The extra width suits wraps and wider towels without a big footprint when folded.
Best for: Wider cloth, small storage
Check price Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom, 24 inch
$345.00The widest loom here at 24 inches, about $345. Wide enough for pillow covers, wraps and blanket panels you seam together.
Best for: Wide projects
Check price Ashford Knitters Rigid Heddle Loom, 12 inch
$399.00A 12 inch (30 cm) portable loom with a 7.5 dpi wide-eye reed for textured knitting yarns, arriving assembled and lacquered with a book, warping peg, two hooks, two clamps and two shuttles, about $399.
Best for: Knitters using stash yarn
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Expert
Expert picks: looms that grow into advanced techniques
Who should not buy this tier: weavers who only plan to make plain-weave scarves. These looms pay off when you want multiple heddles for finer cloth, pick-up patterns or doubleweave.
Schacht Flip Rigid Heddle Loom, 15 inch
$387.00A 15 inch loom with a 10 dent reed, slots for multiple heddles, clamps and a warping peg, about $387. A second heddle opens finer cloth and doubleweave, which can make fabric twice the loom width.
Best for: Multiple heddles
Check priceKromski Harp Forte Rigid Heddle Loom
The Kromski Harp Forte rigid heddle loom, sold on Amazon through resellers, so this links to a search. Check the width and included reed in each listing and buy from an established seller.
Best for: Shoppers comparing brands
Find on AmazonPrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What width rigid heddle loom should I buy?
Weaving width is the widest cloth the loom can make before it comes off the loom. Finished cloth is narrower: weft pulls the edges in and washing shrinks it, commonly around 10 percent or more.
| Weaving width | Typical projects | Footprint | Looms here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 in | Scarves, bookmarks, narrow towels, samples | Lap or small table | Beka RH10, Cricket 10 |
| 12 in | Scarves, travel projects | Small table | Knitters Loom |
| 15 to 16 in | Scarves, dish towels, runners, wraps | Kitchen table | Cricket 15, SampleIt 16 |
| 20 in | Wider towels, shawls | Table or stand | Beka Fold and Go |
| 24 in | Pillow covers, wraps, blanket panels | Large table or stand | Ashford 24 |
What does 8 dent mean on a rigid heddle loom?
Dent, or dpi, is how many slots and holes per inch the heddle has, which sets how closely the warp threads sit. Lower numbers suit thicker yarn; higher numbers suit finer yarn. These are typical starting points; many weavers sample to fine-tune.
| Heddle | Warp ends per inch | Yarn weight | Feel of cloth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 dent | 5 | Bulky | Thick, quick |
| 7.5 to 8 dent | 7.5 to 8 | Worsted, aran | Balanced, versatile |
| 10 dent | 10 | DK, sport | Lighter |
| 12 dent | 12 | Fingering | Fine, drapey |
Our yarn weight chart explains the weight names. The Schacht Cricket 15" ships with an 8 dent heddle and the Ashford SampleIt 16" with 7.5 dpi, both suited to worsted weight yarns.
Ashford or Schacht: which rigid heddle loom is better?
Both are respected weaving brands with long histories, and their entry looms are close competitors. The Schacht Cricket 15" is made of maple and includes yarn and two clamps. The Ashford SampleIt 16" is silver beech, an inch wider, and a little less expensive. Accessory systems, extra heddles and stands differ between brands, so think about which ecosystem you want. See the full Ashford vs Schacht comparison and our Schacht Cricket review.
How much yarn do you need to weave a scarf or blanket?
Weaving yardage has two parts: warp and weft. Warp ends equal width times ends per inch. Warp length equals finished length plus loom waste (often around 18 to 24 inches on a rigid heddle loom) plus a little for take-up and fringe. In a balanced plain weave, weft uses roughly as much yarn as warp.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Warp ends | 10 in wide x 8 ends per inch | 80 ends |
| Warp length | 72 in finished + 24 in waste and fringe | 96 in (2.67 yd) |
| Warp yarn | 80 ends x 2.67 yd | About 214 yd |
| Weft yarn (balanced weave) | About equal to warp | About 214 yd |
| Total with 10 percent extra | (214 + 214) x 1.1 | About 470 yd |
A blanket is usually woven as panels on a wide loom, or with doubleweave, and can take several thousand yards. The yarn yardage calculator helps convert yards to skeins.
Is a rigid heddle loom worth it for knitters and crocheters?
For many, yes. Weaving uses yarn quickly, so it is a satisfying way to use stash, and plain weave shows off variegated and hand-dyed yarns without pooling the way knitting can. The Ashford Knitters Loom 12" is designed around this idea with a wide-eye reed for textured knitting yarns. Weaving is also a gentle change of motion for hands tired of needles and hooks. If you would rather knit on a frame, see best knitting looms, which make stretchy knit fabric instead.
Light the shed
Warp threads are easy to misread in dim light. A bright daylight lamp positioned in front of the loom makes skipped threads and threading errors obvious before they become a whole inch of cloth.
How we chose
We did not test these looms in person. We compared manufacturer specifications (weaving width, reed dent, wood species, what is included, finish, country of manufacture), verified listings, and recurring themes in verified owner reviews about assembly, sturdiness, tension, portability and accessory availability. Yarn and dent pairings are typical weaving guidance, not guarantees for every yarn.
Buying tips
- 15 to 16 inches is the sweet spot for most home weavers.
- Check which reed is included; 7.5 to 8 dent suits worsted yarn.
- Look for a warping peg and clamps in the box.
- Unfinished wood may need oiling or sealing before use.
- Consider folding designs if storage is limited.
- Plan accessories like extra heddles and a stand within one brand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best rigid heddle loom for beginners?
The Schacht Cricket 15 inch is a top choice for beginners because it includes an 8 dent reed, hook, warping peg, clamps, two shuttles and yarn, and its 15 inch width handles scarves and dish towels. The Ashford SampleIt 16 inch is a close alternative. For the lowest cost, the Beka 10 inch loom costs about $80.
Is a 10 inch rigid heddle loom too small?
A 10 inch loom is perfect for learning, scarves, bookmarks and samples, and it is very portable. Many weavers outgrow it once they want dish towels, wraps or wider cloth, since finished fabric shrinks a bit from the weaving width. If you already know you want towels or runners, starting with a 15 or 16 inch loom usually saves buying twice.
What yarn is best for a rigid heddle loom?
Smooth worsted weight yarn with an 8 dent heddle is the easiest starting combination. For the warp, choose a strong yarn that does not break when you tug it firmly, since warp is under tension. Cotton, wool and acrylic all work. Save very fuzzy or delicate yarns for the weft, where they face less abrasion from the heddle.
Can you weave a blanket on a rigid heddle loom?
Yes, in two main ways. Weave several long panels on a wide loom, like a 24 inch model, and seam them together. Or use doubleweave with two heddles, which lets a loom with multiple heddle slots make cloth nearly twice its width that opens out after weaving. Both approaches take planning and a lot of yarn, so calculate carefully.
How long does it take to warp a rigid heddle loom?
Beginners often spend an hour or two warping their first project using the direct warping method with a warping peg, and experienced weavers do it much faster. Wider and finer warps take longer. Kits that ship with a started project, like the Beka 10 inch loom, let you weave immediately and learn warping on your second project.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.