Louet Erica vs Ashford Brooklyn table loom

This page compares the Louet Erica loom vs the Ashford Brooklyn Table loom

Louet Erica vs Ashford Brooklyn — Table Loom Comparison

🔹 Louet Erica Table Loom (compact travel/portable loom)

Strengths

1. Portability & foldability – Erica folds flat (even with warp on) for easy transport and compact storage, making it ideal for classes, travel, or small spaces.

2. Expandable harnesses – It ships with 2 shafts and can be expanded to 3 or 4 shafts with additional extensions, giving flexibility for more complex weave structures.

3. Larger weave width options – Available in both ~30 cm (12″) and ~50 cm (20″) widths, so you can choose a broader weaving capacity.

4. Better shed & tension – Designed to offer more even tension and a larger shed compared to rigid heddle looms, which is helpful for consistent weaving.

5. Lower starting price point – Base 2-shaft Erica models often start at around $500-$600 USD.

Potential Limitations

• Base configuration is 2 shafts, so reaching 4 shafts costs extra with additional accessories.

• Fold-flat design is excellent for portability, but some weavers feel the finished wood needs waxing/finishing before use.

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🔸 Ashford Brooklyn Table Loom (entry 4-shaft loom)

Strengths

1. 4-shaft standard – Unlike Erica’s base 2-shaft model, the Brooklyn comes standard as a 4-shaft table loom, letting you weave a wider range of patterns right out of the box.

2. Good value for a new 4-shaft loom – Priced around $685 USD (about $865 CAD) for a new 4-shaft unit, making it a reasonable entry point among brand-new 4-shaft looms.

3. Built with standard accessories included – Includes 4 shafts with adequate Texsolv heddles and a 10-dent stainless steel reed — a practical setup for multi-shaft weaving.

4. Reliable for multi-shaft patterns – A 4-shaft loom lets you weave overshot, twills, crackle, and other complex structures easily compared to 2-shaft looms.

Potential Limitations

• Does not fold flat for storage/transport like Erica — it’s compact but more of a fixed setup.

• Smaller footprint and lighter construction mean that some users might prefer sturdier builds for heavier yarns or very dense warps.

• Typically, only offered in a ~40 cm (16″) weaving width.

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📊 Quick Summary of Key Differences

Feature	Louet Erica	Ashford Brooklyn
Base shafts	2 (expandable to 4)	4 included
Foldability / Portability	✔️ Folds flat	❌ Does not fold flat
Weaving widths available	~30 cm or ~50 cm options	Typically, ~40 cm (16″)
Price (starter)	Lower starting price (~$500-$600+ USD)	Mid-range for 4-shaft (~$685 USD)
Best for	Beginners → intermediate; travel; class loom	Beginners → multi-shaft focus; pattern weaving

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🧵 Which One Is Better for You?

• Pick Louet Erica if you want lightweight, highly portable design with the flexibility to expand harnesses later — especially great for travel, small spaces, or upgrading from rigid heddle.

• Pick Ashford Brooklyn if you want a full 4-shaft loom out of the box at a reasonable price and plan to focus on pattern weaving without extra accessories.