A Brief Weaving Glossary

Warp – All the threads that are attached to the loom. The warp attaches to the front and back or top and bottom of the loom, providing a format on which to weave.
Weft – The threads that go back and forth horizontally, forming the tapestry and the pattern.
Shaft or Harness – A specific group of heddles.
Batten or Sword – A flat tool used to separate sheds so the weft yarn can be inserted in frame loom (Navajo-style) weavings, Inkle weavings and backstrap weavings.
Shuttle – A tool that holds the weft thread as it is passed through the shed in the warp.
Shed – The opening between groups of warp threads through which the weft is passed.
Fork or Beater – A fork-shaped tool with which the weft is beaten into place in Navajo-style weaving.
Reed – A device, at least as long as the width of a weaving on a multi-harness loom that maintains the designed spacing between the warp threads.
Sett – The designated spacing between the warp threads.
Grist – The measured thickness of yarn.
Heddles – the metal or nylon strips with holes (or loops of string) that the warp threads go through. The arrangement of warp threads in the heddles determines the pattern.