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Learn to Weave Checkers on a Little Loom

Checkers make a nice border -

and are just plain old fun! 

When you choose your two colors for the checkers, think about how they'll look together. If they contrast each other, the checkers will pop, if the colors are similar, the checkers will blend together.

wall hanging with checkered pattern

If you already know how to weave vertical stripes, then it will be easy to learn to weave checker squares! 

If you don't know how to weave vertical stripes (which are also called pick and pick weave), go to my blog post:

learn to weave vertical stripes

 How to Weave a Checkered Pattern

1. Weave the first row, color A

begin to weave a checkerboard

In this example, I'm weaving from left to right.

Leave a tail of yarn about 4 inches hanging off the left side. We'll weave this back into the piece when the project is done.

Be sure to make an "arc" before you pack down the weft yarn. See my post: How to Begin Weaving

2. Weave the second row, color B

Begin this color on the right, too.

Just as in color A, leave a tail of yarn about 4 inches hanging off the left side. 

weave second row in a checkerboard

3. Weave The third row

Before you weave the row, be sure to wrap color A around color B 

Not sure how to do this? See my post: How to Weave Horizontal Stripes.

weaving the third row of a checker pattern

 

4. Now We're getting a pick-and-pick pattern

That's what weavers call weaving skinny vertical stripes like this. 

Repeat for 6 rows, ending with color B.

Tapestry weaving checkerboard

 

Here comes the magic part!

We don't want to keep weaving a vertical stripe, so we have to change things up a bit.

Weave 1 more row of color B

Weaving a checkered pattern, switching the pattern

Repeat steps 1-4

Weave 1 row of color A 

weaving a new set of checker pattern

 

... and continue until you have 6 rows of this “stripe.” 

weaving a new set of checker pattern

 

After several more rows, you’ll see the checkered pattern emerge. 

Checkered pattern woven on a little loom

 

That's it! You've woven the magic checkerboard pattern.

Now that you know how to weave a checkerboard, go forth and make the world a better place with lots of checkers.

(Can you tell that this is one of my favorite weaves?)

Get my Book! 

  • 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

beginner's weaving book by lucy Jennings

In my next blog post, I'll teach you how to weave dots.

The weaving pattern is in the same family as vertical stripes and checkers, so after this lesson dots will be easy-peasy!

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. 

Just fill in the form below to download it now.

When you sign up you'll also receive my newsletters. They keep you up-to-date on new blog posts, things in the shop, and what's happening in the fiber world. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read my privacy policy here

 

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Here are the looms you can find in my shop:

Lucy Loom - 5 x 7 inches - Acrylic 

Acrylic loom for beginner weavers

 

Annie Loom - 5.5 x 10 inch - Wood

5.5 x 10 inch wood loom

 

Do you like tiny things? I do!

 

Tiny Loom - 2.5 x 3.5 inches - Wood

tiny 2.5 x 3.5 inch wooden loom