CW Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a certain number of shafts to join?
Do I need to be an advanced weaver to join?
Do I need a sponsor or invitation to join?
Do I have to join a study group right away?
Why do you need my address for the credit card?
Who will be able to access my personal information?
Can I see the membership directory on-line?
When is the Complex Weavers Journal published?
When can I expect to receive my copy?
What is LID?
I have a question but I don't know whom to ask. How do I find the right person?
What if I don't speak English?
Is there a logo I can put on my web page?
How much does it cost?
Do I need a certain number of shafts to join?
No, there is no minimum shaft requirement to join CW. Complex interlacements can be made on a 2 shaft loom. For examples, see
Complex Weavers Showcase 2003
Other complex weavings can be made on a primitive backstrap loom, or no loom. For examples, see
Complex Weavers Study Group: Kumihimo on Takadai
Complex Weavers Study Group: Bobbin Lace
Some of our members are historians, mathematicians, or computer scientists who do not weave. For examples, see
Complex Weavers Study Group: Early Weaving Books and Manuscripts
Complex Weavers Study Group: Japanese Textiles
For what some of our members say about what "complex" means, see Complex Weavers Thoughts about Complexity
Do I need to be an advanced weaver to join?
No, there is no level requirement to join CW. You may decide to join and just read the Journal where a variety of subjects and levels is covered ( Complex Weavers Journal). Or, you may find a study group that interests you. All of the study groups include intermediate and advanced weavers, but many also welcome non-weavers or beginning weavers. See
Complex Weavers Study Group: Early Weaving Books and Manuscripts
Complex Weavers Study Group: Japanese Textiles
Complex Weavers Study Group: Kumihimo on Takadai
Complex Weavers Study Group: Bobbin Lace
Seminar classes tend to be geared toward intermediate and advanced weavers but there are always options that would suit the weaver who is less far along. For example, classes have been given in color interactions, weaving for clothing, backstrap and other ethnic textiles, historical textiles, and loom development. See Complex Weavers Seminar.
Do I need a sponsor or invitation to join?
Definitely not! While many members have learned about Complex Weavers by word of mouth, all who are interested are welcome to join. See Complex Weavers Membership Form Introduction, which has a variety of methods for paying your dues.
Do I have to join a study group right away?
No. In fact, you don't ever have to join a study group if you don't want to. On the other hand, you can join several when you find some common interests. You can even start a study group and invite others to join. See
Complex Weavers Study Groups: Index
Complex Weavers Study Groups: Introduction
Why do you need my address for the credit card?
The credit card processing company gives us a cheaper rate if we provide them with addresses and pin. This information is, to the best of our knowledge, kept confidential and only used to expedite the processing and confirm your identification so that there are fewer defaults.
Who will be able to access my personal information?
Only CW members have access to the CW directory. You may ask for some or all of your personal information to be withheld from the directory.
Can I see the membership directory on-line?
No, we don't yet have a way to keep it private if it is on-line.
When is the Complex Weavers Journal published?
The nominal dates of publication of the Journal are:
  • February
  • June
  • October
However, be it noted that publication of the Journal is a volunteer effort, and we can't always hit these dates.
When can I expect to receive my copy of the CW Journal?
The date when the issue was mailed will be posted on the home page of the CW website. For recipients in the USA, it is sent at bulk mail rates, which may take up to six weeks to deliver, depending on how busy the post office is. CWJ to Canadian members goes airmail and should be there swithin a few days. Overseas recipients should allow 17-20 days.
What is LID?
LID stands for Last Issue Date which is on the address label of the Journal Envelope. The Last Issue Date does not mean the last date of actual membership. Actual membership goes until the day before the following Journal is due. For example, if your mailing label shows an LID of 6/1/05, that means that your last issue will be the June issue. Your membership will expire on September 30, 2005, the date before the next issue of the Journal.
I have a question but I don't know whom to ask. How do I find the right person?
Your area representative may be able to answer the question directly, and will certainly be able to help you find the right person if they can't. If there isn't a rep for your area, you can always write to one of the other reps or anyone on the board (board listing).
What if I don't speak English?
We have several people who can help you. See Language Help. Also available is a list of what's available on Ralph Griswold's site, sorted by language. Go to http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/languages.html
Is there a logo I can put on my web page?
Several different logos are available. See Complex Weavers Logo Page
How much does it cost?
It is not expensive - within the USA the dues are $35 per year. In Canada or Mexico the dues are $40 per year. Outside North America the dues are $45 per year. Two years are preferred and payment must be in US funds drawn on a US bank or by credit card or by PayPal. See Complex Weavers Membership Form Introduction

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