I tend to do the weave up the sticks for ages from the bottom and then shove a load down, no fixed rule for me though. I Just work with what's comfortable. Length no, I don't think so, though too short is fiddly. Width yes, definitely. I've done three, five and seven, can't quite hold nine flat. I've tried with different size warps (the long lengths) and wefts ( the back and forward yarn) and weaving stick diameter, and you can have very different outcomes.
I'm thinking about finding a way to Hold eleven in a circle, like a very big knitting Nancy as they used to be called here, except weaving, not French knitting. If that was Greek to you ignore it. Not very interesting just an aside.
And the fish trap making was excellent, though I decided to make a horn of plenty instead as it's going on at least one bus and two trains! But at home - ha! There will be traps for fish - I've actually got two Maltese, a Cypriot, and Greek fish traps in the garden, and a lobster creel.
I'm going to make the trousers when I've done my essay, must write essay, must write essay! The comb was a faff but looks nice, and I have short hair! Yay. I'll take a picture of it. The comb, not the hair.
I've drafted a list of all the kit I think I'd need to live like a Stone Age dude (with a sainsburys) and I'm steadily making each thing.