Welcome to Weaving!

This is the first in a series of tutorials in which I'll teach you the basics of weaving on a simple frame loom. The techniques can be done on any size loom.

I'll be using my Lucy Loom, click here to get one for yourself!

In this post, I'll show you how to get started on your weaving project.

 

Yarn

The yarn wound on the loom is called the warp. Each yarn strand wound on the loom is called a warp end.

You’re going to weave back and forth with the weft yarn. A row of weft yarn is called a pick.

 

Begin to weave

Measure your first strand, about one yard. Thread up a large eye needle and start weaving!

You can begin to weave on either side of the loom.  Leave a tail about 4 inches long hanging on the selvedge.

The selvedges are the sides of the woven piece.

Pass the needle over one warp end and under the next. Over, under, over, under- that’s the mantra.

After you weave across all of the warp ends, make an arc with the yarn, then pack it down. This makes the weft fall in between the warp ends. 

If you pull the yarn through without letting it have a chance to settle in, eventually it will start to pull in the selvedges, and your finished piece will be more narrow on the top than the bottom.

Pack down each row with your fingers- you can also use a table fork.

Some weavers like to use a weaving comb or fork, and you can find beautiful tools out there, but for now, your fingers are fine. And they are easy to find when you need them!  

The best thing about weaving on a little loom

is that you can just toss it in your bag and have it with you anytime you've got  minute to relax and weave. Get my book and take your learning wherever you go!

• You never know where you might find yourself weaving.
• In the park, under a tree, or maybe even up in the tree!
• No worries, this little book will fit right into your project bag, so you can take it with you anywhere your heart desires. And you will be a happy weaver.

click here to see the book

Begin a New Strand

You can start a new yarn strand anywhere on the weaving. I like to begin each new strand randomly, that way I don’t build up bulk when it comes time to sew the hanging threads into the back of the piece.

Leave at least 4 inches of the old and new strands hanging until finishing time.

 

 

Now that you know how to start weaving, it's time to try stripes!

 How to Weave Horizontal Stripes

Hey there new weavers!

Are you confused by some of those weaving terms?

Fear not, I’ve got something to help you keep your brain sorted.

A pdf with photos and illustrations makes it easy to learn the basic weaving terms. 

 

Here are the looms you can find in my shop:

Lucy Loom - 5 x 7 inches - Acrylic 

 

Annie Loom - 5.5 x 10 inch - Wood

 

Do you like tiny things? I do!

 

Tiny Loom - 2.5 x 3.5 inches - Wood