Carboard Loom Weaving
Projects & Activities
A willow basket, a Diné rug, a flannel shirt — what do they have in common? They were all created using weaving techniques! Use a magnifier to look at your shirt. Do you see the individual fibers joined together? What else do you notice?
Looms are used to help connect pieces of fiber together to make something. What you choose may depend on where you live and what is available in your area — flax, silk, or cotton for fabrics; wool from sheep, llamas or goats; willow, cedar, or ash for baskets.
Follow the directions to make a loom and then weave a coaster for yourself. What other materials could you used to weave a coaster?
Materials Needed:
4″ x 5″ piece of heavy cardboard
3 craft sticks
Glue
3 ½ yards of cotton string
Yarn to weave with
Tape
Scissors
Making Your Loom:
Directions:
Step 1:
Glue a craft stick on each 4″ end of your cardboard and let the glue dry.
Step 2:
Warp your loom using the cotton string. Hold the end of the string against the back of your loom. Then bring the string up and around the front of the loom.
Continue this pattern until you have 12 warp strings on the front of your loom.
Step 3:
Tie the two ends of the string together on the back of your loom.
Weave a Coaster on Your Coardboard Loom
Step 1:
Tape a piece of yarn to the third craft stick. This stick will act as your needle as you weave.
Step 2:
Insert the weaving stick over the first and under the second warp string. Continue this pattern across the loom. At the end of each row, push the woven thread down firmly toward the base of the loom using your fingers.
Step 3:
Continue weaving back and forth until you need more yarn. Attach another piece of yarn to the craft stick with tape. Do not pull the yarn too tight—this will cause the edges to pull toward the center.
Step 4:
After you have finished weaving, cut the warp threads in the center back of your loom. Separate the strings into groups of three. Wrap each group around your finger and tie a knot. Trim these strings slightly to make fringe.
