What’s the Stitch About Knitting Machines?
Let's talk about knitting machines! What are they, how do they work, and does it count as hand crafting if you use one? Why choose a knitting machine vs knitting by hand?
Louet Dobby Looms - Octado 70/90/110 - Octado 70cm/27.5" is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
A dobby loom has a dobby mechanism, which is used to program the harness combinations for the weave pattern. Dobby is short for "draw boy" which refers to the weavers helper who was used to control the warp thread by pulling on draw threads. The dobby mechanism replaces the treadle/lam combination of the traditional floor looms. The performance of a multi-harness loom is vastly improved by using a dobby mechanism, as it overcomes the major problems associated with the use of a large number of treadles. A dobby loom allows you to select the combination of harnesses for every shed opening you wish to make. The great advantage of a dobby loom is that it avoids the necessity and the labor involved in making multiple tie-ups to treadle positioned underneath a loom. An investment in a Louet Dobby ensures many years of comfortable and productive weaving. The mechanical dobby is a program bar with pegs system. The numbered holes in the program bars correspond with harnesses of the loom. If you want a harness to be raised, you place a peg in the corresponding hole of the program bar. Your series of program bars can be as long as you like; however, if the number of program bars becomes very large, you may want to consider an electronic dobby. The electronic dobby will give you almost unlimited harness combinations using a computer and software from Fiberworks PCW, Patternland, Weavemaker, Weave It, WeavePoint or Pro Weave, which all work with the electronic interface.
Both Octado and Megado looms feature a countermarch shed. This is accomplished by raising the back beam at the same time as the shafts are being raised. The beam movement also compensates for changes in warp tension as the shed is made. An innovative construction ensures the action of the well balanced pedal to be very light in operation. This main pedal and also the optional weaving bench are adjustable in height to accommodate the weavers physical requirements. As with our Delta and Spring looms, Octado and Megado have the Louet sprung breast beam, a unique warp tension control system, which allows the weaver to set and check the warp tension each time the warp is advanced. These innovative design features give our Octado and Megado looms an indisputable advantage over other competitive products. No other multi-harness loom treadles as light and creates as large a shed, even with a very high tension on the warp.
This eight-harness dobby loom is available in three weaving widths: 70, 90 and 110 cm (27 3/4", 35 3/8" and 43 1/4"). The special features, like easy programming and light treadling of the counter march shed, described on page 15, are all integrated in the Octado loom. The Octado is made out of lacquered beech hardwood and the most complex castle section is pre-assembled.
Package Includes:
Dimensions (wxdxh):
Weight:
Available Accessories:
- Adjustable bench - 59 - 72 cm (23 1/4" - 28 3/8")
- Tilting set for bench
- Second warp beam with back beam
- Sectional warp beam
- Flying Dutchman shuttle
- Fly shuttle device
- Mechanical dobby, including 20 program bars
- Program bars per ten
- Electronic dobby
Our first response to your order would be to have it shipped directly from our warehouse. In the case that our stock levels are too low, your order may need to be either ordered into our warehouse or dropshipped directly to you from Louet in Canada. Please allow 3-5 business days for them to process and ship out your order before receiving an e-mail with your tracking number. Should your order be backordered with our vendor, one of our customer service representatives will contact you with delays and shipping information.
Please note that Louet drop-ships are sent via UPS or Fedex and typically arrive within 3-5 business days after being shipped. Please provide a physical address for your order as UPS does not send to PO Boxes. Drop-shipping is not available for international orders at this time so please allow time for your order to reach us before we ship it to you.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns regarding your order at (509) 536-7746 or sales@paradisefibers.com.
Need help on a project?
We'll help you find what you're looking for.
Contact Information
In-store pickup hours are the same as in-store hours.
Paradise Fibers Blog
Stay up-to-date with our blog to find out what's happening not just at the paradise, but also in the industry, and so much more.
Let's talk about knitting machines! What are they, how do they work, and does it count as hand crafting if you use one? Why choose a knitting machine vs knitting by hand?
Feeling some FOMO? Don’t worry—you can always find the latest edition of The Ewenice Report [here]!
Want the newest issues delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe now and stay in the loop on fiber news, tips, trends, and exclusive updates.
The fiber arts world is embracing bold creativity in 2025! Individuality takes center stage this season, with maximalism, vibrant earth tones, and nostalgic Y2K influences shaping the hottest trends. Granny Squares are back in a big way, textured yarns are stealing the spotlight, and sustainable crafting is more popular than ever. Whether you’re mixing patterns, layering textures, or upcycling materials, this is the year to step outside your comfort zone and make something uniquely you. Dive into the top fiber art trends for spring and summer and get inspired to stitch, spin, and craft with confidence!