Weaving and Ergonomics - The Wobble Stool
I’m always trying for find ways to work comfortably for longer at my loom. If I can combine exercise with weaving, even better! I’ve tried weaving benches (which I love, particularly with the addition of a sheepskin!), office chairs with wheels (nope!), various kitchen chairs (meh) and even an exercise ball (it promised great things but just didn’t deliver.) Given the frequency of questions on Social Media about stools and benches, I think I’m not alone in the search for the perfect seat.
I recently got my hands on a wobble stool during an office clean out. Let me tell you a little about this stool.
It’s easily adjustable, and it has a rounded bottom…which means it wobbles! This of course is designed to engage your core as well as keep the toe-tappers and pacers quietly in their seats for longer so they can, presumably work harder and be more productive. (Not quite sure how I feel about this but ok) I even read that using one can cause you to burn 20% more calories per hour than just sitting. (That’s the equivalent of 2 Oreo cookies or 15 chips over 8 hours in case you were wondering)
But seriously, I’m not so concerned about the exercise or the calorie burn. I was curious about the ergonomics of weaving and how it might impact my body. So this past week I did most of my weaving using this stool.
Here’s what I liked:
You can’t slouch on this stool, my back stayed straight and I could feel my core working. I actually got a little tired at first!
It swivels! So I can spin around to grab my tea or my tools, or just for fun!
I threaded a complex 2 heddle project on this stool. The ability to tilt the stool forward made this a more comfortable experience for my back and shoulders.
I liked the movement of the stool rocking back and forth as I passed the shuttle back and forth. I feel like it kept me better positioned.
I’m barely 5” and it adjusted well for me. I raised it slightly when threading the 2 heddles and it allowed me to easily see between the heddles.
Here’s what I didn’t like:
The seat is a little hard. It does have a thinly padded seat.
I found the bottom a little slippery, if I sat too close to the edge of the seat it would move backwards. So, plant your bum firmly in the center!
There was no place for my tools (I might sew a cover with a padded seat and pockets!)
So, do you need one? If you have struggled to find a suitable seat, I think this is definitely worth trying. I would not have spent the money on one, they run about $459 CAD - I’d rather buy yarn - but now that I have one I don’t want to give it up. It won’t replace my weaving bench, but it will be in regular rotation.
If you do want one, mine is a Steelcase Buoy Stool.
I took it to a class this week and everyone tried it. I think they all liked it! Here’s a little video of class fun and the wobble stool!
I’m curious…what you you like to sit on while weaving? Have you tried a wobble stool? What did you think?
