Weaving on a Simple Loom

Weaving means lacing yarn over and under rows of string on a frame to make a piece of fabric or art.

Reading is good — doing is better. Practice Weaving on a Simple Loom as an interactive lesson.

Definition

Weaving is a way of making cloth or a design by crossing two sets of yarn or string over and under each other on a simple frame called a loom. The strings that go up and down are called the warp, and the yarn you weave across is called the weft. By repeating the over-under pattern, you lock the yarn together to create a sturdy piece.

Remember the rule

Over one, under one — then flip it! Each new row starts the opposite way from the row before it, so the yarn locks together.

Key words

Loom: A frame that holds the up-and-down strings tight so you can weave across them.
Warp: The strings that are tied to the loom and go up and down — they stay still while you weave.
Weft: The yarn you weave across the loom, going over and under the warp strings.
Over-Under Pattern: The basic weaving move: you pass the weft yarn over one warp string, then under the next, and keep going.
Row: One complete trip of the weft yarn across the loom from one side to the other.
Shuttle: A small stick or piece of cardboard that holds your weft yarn so it is easier to weave across.
Shed: The small opening created between the warp strings when you lift some of them to slide your yarn through.
Beating Down: Gently pushing each finished row of weft yarn down toward the bottom of the loom so the weaving stays tight and even.

Worked examples

You have 5 warp strings on your loom. How do you weave the very first row?

→ Start on the left. Go OVER string 1, UNDER string 2, OVER string 3, UNDER string 4, OVER string 5. Pull the yarn gently across and beat it down to the bottom. · Always leave a small loop at the edge instead of pulling the yarn tight, or the sides of your weaving will pucker inward.

You just finished row 1 ending on the right side. How do you start row 2?

→ Turn around and go the opposite way. Start UNDER string 5, OVER string 4, UNDER string 3, OVER string 2, UNDER string 1. Row 2 is the exact flip of row 1. · This flipping is what makes the over-under pattern lock the yarn so it does not fall apart.

After 4 rows your weaving looks loose and gappy. What should you do?

→ Use your fingers or a comb to gently push each row of weft yarn down toward the bottom of the loom. This is called beating down, and it closes the gaps. · Beating down after every single row keeps your weaving neat from the start.

Your weft yarn runs out in the middle of a row. What do you do?

→ Leave a 2-inch tail of the old yarn tucked behind the weaving. Start your new yarn from the same spot with another 2-inch tail tucked behind. Keep weaving as normal. · Never tie a knot in the middle of a row — it will make a lumpy bump on the front of your work.

You want to add a stripe of a different color. When and how do you switch yarn?

→ Finish a complete row with your first color. At the edge, tuck a 2-inch tail behind the work. Pick up your new color yarn, tuck its tail behind the same edge, and start the next row with the new color. · Switching colors at the edge keeps the front of your weaving clean and tidy.

When you take your weaving off the loom the edges start to unravel. How do you stop that?

→ Before removing the weaving, tie each pair of neighboring warp strings together in a simple knot right against the edge of the weaving. These knots hold all your rows in place.

Common mistakes

Pulling the weft yarn too tight, which makes the edges curve inward and the weaving gets narrower as you go up.
Forgetting to flip the pattern on each new row, so the yarn just slides out instead of locking together.
Skipping the beat-down step, which leaves big gaps between rows and makes the weaving look uneven.
Leaving warp strings with no room between them, making it very hard to push the weft yarn through — aim for about a finger-width of space between warp strings when setting up.
Cutting yarn too short before starting a row, so you run out in the middle and have to make a messy join.

FAQs

Does it matter which side I start weaving from?

No — you can start from the left or the right. What matters is that you always go the opposite direction on the next row and flip your over-under pattern.

How far apart should the warp strings be?

About the width of one finger, roughly half an inch to one inch. If they are too close together it is hard to push the yarn through; too far apart and the weaving will have big holes.

What if my weaving is wider at the top than at the bottom?

That means you are not pulling the weft yarn tight enough at the edges. Try leaving a small arc or loop of yarn before you beat it down — that gives a little extra yarn at the edges so they stay even.

Can I use things other than yarn for the weft?

Yes! Thin strips of fabric, ribbon, paper strips, or even leaves and grasses can all be woven in as the weft to add color and texture.

How do I make my loom if I do not have one?

Use a piece of sturdy cardboard. Cut small notches about half an inch apart along the top and bottom edges. Wrap string up and down through the notches to make your warp. Tape the ends on the back and you are ready to weave.

How do I know when I am done?

When you have filled the loom with weft rows almost all the way to the top, leaving just enough warp string to tie off the knots, your weaving is complete. Tie off the warp ends, trim the tails, and remove it from the loom.

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