The Weaving Loom The Modern Lap Loom Weaver's Resource

I have always had a love of fiber, textiles, and texture. When I was in college, I taught myself how to knit and really enjoyed how I could knit while watching TV or movies. It was something I could do in an almost meditative state, yet also be productive. I do remember feeling very limited by knitting though. Yes there are a lot of very talented people that create very amazing knitted pieces, however I did not want to dedicate the time into learning how to do the more intricate knitting. I then gave crochet a try and that was really liberating! Crochet gave me the freedom to easily make any shape I wanted. I even made some finger puppets for my nephew. However life happened and although I didn’t have much time to develop my crochet or knitting skills, I still made some things here and there.

Fast forward to a few years ago, and suddenly woven wall hangings started popping up on Pinterest and it was love at first sight for me. The colors, the texture, man oh man! I saved pictures for a year or two until one day I thought why don’t I just give it a try?

Once I got the hang of things, it was actually pretty easy to weave, and also I didn’t feel so limited as I did with knitting. I can also weave while watching a show with my husband (which is a bonus). I’ve also found that I can achieve the same meditative state as with knitting. Ever since I started weaving, I’ve been pushing myself to experiment and see how far I can take my creations. I’ve had some failures, but over all I have learned a lot and I feel like there are just so many creative possibilities available when weaving.

I put this whole blog together because I wanted a place where others who want to learn to weave can come and find information. I have a lot of posts I’m putting together, but if you have any specific questions please share below in the comments or in an email. No question is too silly!

If you’re thinking about trying weaving, which odds are if you’re reading this that is exactly what you’re thinking, then do it! I can’t recommend this creative and relaxing activity enough!

Here are a few posts that will help you get started weaving:

What got you interested in weaving? Do you have a favorite weaving artist? I’d love to hear from you. And again, please let me know if there are any questions or topics you would like me to cover in the future.

Happy Weaving!

Kate

Beginner Weaving Lessons Weaving Techniques

Weaving Techniques || The Soumak Weave (Braid Weave)

The soumak is a very fun weave to add to your wall hanging. Since this technique sits on top of the warp threads, it adds some texture and dimension to your weave. Also when two rows of soumak weave are put next to each other, it creates a braid effect on your weave.

I’ve also made a video on the soumak weave that you can find here!

For simplicity of instruction, I will number the warps, but you can put a soumak stitch wherever you want in your weave. To create the soumak weave:

Pull your weft thread from behind your weave to up and over the top of warp #1 and warp #2. (The tail for your weft thread will be in the back of your weave, leave this long enough to weave into the back later)

Loop your weft thread down and around warp #2, so that the weft comes back out over the top of warp #2

Pass the weft over the top of warp #2 and #3.
Loop down and around warp #3, so that your thread come back over the top of warp #3

Repeat this pattern for the length of the soumak stitch you want to make

So the basic pattern for the soumak is over two warps, loop around, over two warps, loop around, etc.

Something to note is, the side of the soumak stitch that you bring the thread through will control the angle of the soumak stitch. I weave my needle and thread on the right side of the previous soumak stitch, which causes the weft threads to stack left to right.

If you just make one row of soumak stitches you will get raised diagonally stacked stitches.

If you want to create a braid look, all you have to do is complete your row of soumak stitches, then go back the other way making soumak stitches following the same steps. Also note that if you looped the thread around and over and around on the left side of the soumak stitch, then you would repeat this again when weaving the opposite way in the second row.

Do you like the look of the soumak stitch in a weave? Have you tried the soumak in one of your weaves before? Would you add it to one of your wall hangings? I’d love to hear from you!

Happy Weaving!

Kate

Beginner Weaving Lessons

How to finish a weave

Congratulations on completing your weave! Now it’s time to finish it. Depending on which frame loom (a simple frame or a notched frame) you used to create your weave on will affect how you finish your weave.

**As an update, I have made a post on finishing your weave with a hem stitch, which gives it a cleaner finish (in my opinion). So check out both finishing techniques and choose which one works best for you.**

Start by taking a tapestry needle and weave in all your loose threads in the back of your weave. If you have different colored threads in your weave make sure that your weaving the loose colors in with the same colored woven area, this is to ensure that colors don’t show through the front of your weave. I also make sure to flip my weave over as I go to make sure that I haven’t caused issues in the front of my weave. For example, if you pull the thread ends too tight in the back, you may cause an unwanted bump in the front.

To finish on a simple frame loom, cut the warp threads off the top of the frame, tie the two warp threads together, then weave the ends in through the back of your weave. If you don’t want to finish your weave by tying off your warp ends, see my post on finishing with the hem stitch.

Once finished with the top warp, do the same with the bottom warp threads.

Next trim the long tails of the warp threads you wove through the back of your weave.

Now take some warp thread or yarn, and tie it securely to the warp thread in your weave, loop it around your rod or stick that you will mount your weave from. (If you need help deciding what to hang your weave from, check out my post with some different options here)

Bring the warp thread back through the top of your weave at the warp thread, about three spaces over. Continue with this process until you reach the end of the weave and tie off the warp thread in a secure double knot.

Now that your weave is attached to a hanging rod or stick, take another piece of warp thread making sure it is long enough to hang your weave. A good estimate of the length would be about twice the width of your weave. Tie this piece of warp thread securely at both ends of your rod or stick.

To finish on a peg loom, take the top warp loops off the pegs/front notches and put the dowel or metal rod that you will hang the weave through the loops. You could also use a natural branch to hang your weave from if you prefer, as long as what you use is a few inches wider then your weave. For the bottom warp loops, follow the same steps you would for the simple frame loom (above).

You have now completed your wall hanging!

What do you think of your completed weave? Was it easier or harder then you thought it would be? I would love to see your completed projects, if you’re on Instagram, please tag me @theweavingloom.

Happy Weaving!

Kate

Beginner Weaving Lessons Weaving Techniques

Weaving Techniques || The Plain Weave

A plain weave is the process of pulling the weft thread (horizontal thread) over the first warp thread (vertical thread), then under the second, over the third, and so on until you get to the end of the warp threads. I always start left to right and start my weave going over the first warp thread. This is because I can later weave in my loose end of thread easily. Starting by going under the first warp thread would cause the weave to look not as seamless.

On the second pass back, you are now starting opposite of where you ended. So if my weft thread ended over the warp thread, my next pass back would be going right to left and passing under the warp thread, then going over, then under, and so on until the first warp thread is met again. The basic weave continues on in this way over as many warp threads as you wish.

A trick to making this process quicker is to utilize your Shed Stick. Weave the shed stick all the way across your warp threads. Now when you are weaving with the shed stick turn the stick so it is vertical and creates a gap between the lower and upper warp threads. This gap is also known as the shed, hence the shed stick name 😉

Now you can quickly pass your weft thread, on a Stick Shuttle, through the shed. Once you are finished with this pass, lay your shed stick flat or horizontal again and push it up away from your weft threads. Now take your stick shuttle and use the corner to pick up the warp threads in the opposite way from before, working your weft thread across your piece. For the next pass bring your shed stick down by your weft again and turn it vertical to continue your weave in the same shed stick, then weave back pattern. You get the drift.

Happy Weaving!

Kate

Beginner Weaving Lessons

What does warp mean? Basic Weaving Terminology

If you’re new to weaving, some of the terminology might be confusing at first, so here are some of the important terms:

Loom: A loom is the structure that you use to give your weave support and tension as you work. Once your weave is complete, you will cut it off the loom and your weave will have it’s own structure. Looms can vary largely in shape and size. From the extremely large floor model looms down to small handheld looms. The looms that I work with are frame looms, which means their structure is a very simple frame shaped like a square or rectangle. There are also circular looms that allow the user to weave in a circle.

Warp thread: This is the thread that is strung over the loom vertically, and holds the tension while you weave.

Weft thread: This is the thread that you weave between the warp threads, creating your patterns and structure in the weave.

Shed: This is the separation of the warp threads that creates upper and lower warp sets that you pass the weft thread through. Creating a shed between your warp threads speeds up your weaving. When using a frame loom, a shed stick can be woven between the warp threads then turned on it’s side to create the shed between the warp threads. Some frame looms come with a rotating heddle to create the shed.

Heddle: This works with the loom to create a shed in the warp threads. To do this each warp thread is passed through the heddle, so that the heddle can be used to separate the warp threads as the weaver works. Heddles can be a rotating stick that has grooves for the warp threads, or wires & strings that pull on the warp threads to separate, or a rigid heddle that is a single piece with slots that either pull the warp threads up or down to create the shed.

Happy Weaving!

Kate

Beginner Weaving Lessons

How to start a Lap Loom for weaving – Warping your loom

So you are ready to start weaving, but how do you set up a frame loom to begin? Not to worry, I’ve got your back 😉

To start with some basic weaving terms, the thread used as the base of your weave that sits in the vertical position is known as the warp thread. As the warp thread is the base of your weave and it holds a lot of tension throughout the process, it is important to use a thread that is strong and tightly spun. For my weavings I use a strong cotton warp thread and I’m excited to say I’m offering cotton warp thread in my shop!

There are two different looms that I will go over how to warp; the notched loom or the frame loom. There of course are many more styles of looms that can be used to weave, but I will go over these two types because they are the easiest and most affordable for beginners.

A notched or peg loom is a frame loom that respectively has notches/pegs on the top and bottom of the face of the frame. I’m working on a notched frame loom, but you can follow these steps for a peg frame loom too.

To warp your loom, start with a slip knot on the first notch. A slip knot is made by first tying a regular knot (this is shown on the right side of my thread), then cross the tail of the thread over, under, and back over the loop of your knot (as shown on the left side of my thread). The outside loop goes around your notch or peg and you pull the tail until it’s tight. The slip knot will “slip” down the thread and tighten around the notch.

I started at the bottom left side, then pull the warp thread up to the top notch and turn the thread over and around bringing it down to the bottom. Continue from bottom to top in an S pattern.

Once you have reached the last notch check your warp thread for even tension across the loom. You can make any adjustments needed, then tie off your warp thread using another slip knot.

A basic frame loom is just as it sounds, a basic frame! I recommend marking off guide lines for your warp as I explain here. To warp a frame loom, start with a slip knot on our first warp guideline in the top left side.

Pull the warp thread down, over the front of the frame at the guideline and around the back. From the bottom back pull the warp thread up and to the front of the frame, then around the back of the frame again. This means your warp thread should always come from the front of the frame and around the back and continue front to back, so that it creates a figure 8 where the threads meet in the middle.

Now you can begin the best part, weaving your yarn between the warp threads!!

Happy Weaving!

Kate

Beginner Weaving Lessons

Create Your Own Frame Loom: No tools necessary!!

When I started weaving I wanted a simple loom that wouldn’t cost too much. A frame loom was the perfect option. They are portable and easy to warp then begin weaving on. It really is just that simple. There are a few ways to use a frame loom, but I found that the easiest way was to warp the yarn directly on the frame. I was able to do this without any major hardware, using washi tape as a warp guide. This is perfect for those who want to set up a loom quickly and get started weaving. I’m so excited to share this tutorial with all of you!

Supplies:

-The first thing you need is a frame that you can open, by removing the glass and backing. Another option is using Canvas stretcher strips to make an open wooden frame. If you choose to get the stretcher strips you will need to follow their assembly steps. The frame I’m using are canvas stretcher strips, given to me already assembled from my mom.

-Scissors

-Ruler

-Pencil

–Washi Tape

–Warp yarn

Step One: Using your ruler and pencil mark the interior edge of the frame

Step Two: Take your washi tape and cut off a 1 inch piece, then cut in half so that you have two pieces of 1 inch tape that is about ¼” wide. Place one piece of your cut washi tape along the bottom of the frame and along the front, following the marked line.

Step Three: Following your first washi tape use a piece of warp thread to determine the gap size you need then place the second piece of washi tape. Continue cutting and placing the washi tape with gaps for your warp thread across the bottom of your frame loom. Repeat the washi tape step across the top.

Now you can warp your loom. Instructions for warping your loom can be found here.

Happy Weaving!

Kate

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, you’ll help support The Weaving Loom, and you’ll receive some amazing stuff, too. Whohoo!

Newer Posts

Weave This || Off-Center Circle Weave Part 2

Weave This || Off-Center Circle Weave

How to off-center warp a circular loom

Free Circular Weave Pattern – Permafrost Weave

Starting (warping) a circular loom

Prepping your weave to hang nicely

Weave This || Weaving without a loom part 3

Can you make changes to areas already woven?

Weave This || Weaving Without a Loom Part 2

Weave This || Weaving without a Loom

Why I Love Weaving (and why you might too!)

Weaving Techniques || The Soumak Weave (Braid Weave)

How to finish a weave

Weaving Techniques || The Plain Weave

What does warp mean? Basic Weaving Terminology

How to start a Lap Loom for weaving – Warping your loom

Create Your Own Frame Loom: No tools necessary!!

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