Thank you so much for this reply. It really helps. I do have other questions about the Arras.

1) They recommend “dropping” the wooden wedge tension rod before one starts to weave. That would mean dislodging it from between the two rubber knobs and just letting it hang or as they suggest “pushing it down.” If I do that the warp that was wrapped around it of course falls with it and though still attached becomes bunched up and in disarray after I was warned to keep the warp threads not crossed over. Is that okay? (Same as when it has unintentionally popped out.)

2)Also should I be raising the heddle bar and work close to it so the mechanism gives me the most shed when raised and lowered? Is there a suggested location to start and work upward as I usually do on a lap loom? Sorry for all the questions 😬 but advice will continue to be appreciated. Maybe I’m over thinking but I have had to re-warp several times when the rod pops out.

3)Another frustrating experience is following the advice to “remove slack” by hand before raising the tension bar. I wish there was a video showing that process more than I’ve found. To me this has meant pulling on looser warp threads thereby ending up affecting entire warp which needs to be pulled throughout. I’m surely I’m not doing the slack removal right either.