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Shuttle (weaving)

technology Maturity 11-13 Next article →

A shuttle is a tool used for weaving. Weaving makes cloth on a machine called a loom.

Shuttle with bobin
Shuttle with bobin

The shuttle holds the weft yarn. The weft is the thread that goes across. To weave, you pass the shuttle through a gap. This gap is called the shed. The shed is the space between long threads.

Shuttle with bobin
Shuttle with bobin

Some shuttles are very simple. We call these stick shuttles. They are flat pieces of wood. They have small notches on the ends. These notches hold the yarn in place. Other shuttles are more complex. They use a bobbin or a pirn. A bobbin is a small part that holds thread. In the United States, people often use dogwood wood. This wood is very hard. It does not splinter easily. You can also polish it to be smooth. In the United Kingdom, makers use other woods. They use boxwood, cornel, or persimmon. These woods help the shuttle move well.

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File:Shuttle with bobin.jpg
Shuttle with bobin.jpg
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