Ready for a new craft? Learning how to weave is easy, and its applications are nearly limitless. Whether you want to spruce up your home decor or accessorize for the season, there’s a weaving project for you.
In this article, we’ll explain what weaving is and how to get started. Happy crafting!
Table Of Contents
- What Is Weaving?
- Weaving Terms You Should Know
- Weaving Materials Needed
- How To Weave: Warping Your Loom
- How To Weave: Techniques
- How To Weave: Finishing And Removing Your Weave
What Is Weaving?
Weaving is a crafting technique that requires interlacing two sets of yarns to form a textile. A little different than other techniques like knitting, crocheting, and macrame, weaving requires a loom to keep your yarn in place.
The centuries-old crafting practice can be used to make all sorts of projects, from wall hangings and tapestries to rugs, blankets, clothing, and even jewelry.
Weaving Terms To Know
If you’re going to learn how to weave, you’ll need to know a host of new terms. Here are a few important ones.
Loom
The loom is what you weave on, providing the foundation or structure for your textile. There are various types of looms, including floor looms, table looms, and lap looms.
Warp
The warp is the vertical foundation of your weaving, where yarn is looped around the upper and lower pegs of your loom.
Weft
The weft is the yarn that’s woven into the warp horizontally to create your textile’s design.
Weaving Needle
A weaving needle is what you’ll use to thread the weft yarn over and under the warp. The GANXXET Tapestry Bobbin is one such needle that doubles as a loom comb.
Shuttle
A shuttle is a tool that can operate as a needle but also stores your extra weft yarn as you work. Using a shuttle makes weaving a large section of a single color easier.
Roving
Roving is a thicker, wispy yarn used to give texture to your textile.
Loom Comb
A loom comb is used to push weft threads together to ensure they are even.
Shed Stick
A shed stick is a flat piece of wood that you weave into the warp threads and twist to give space (“a shed”) for your weft.
Draft
A weaving draft is a how-to for setting up your loom and weaving your chosen pattern.
Weaving Materials Needed
There are several items you’ll want to gather before you begin weaving. These include:
- Loom
- Cotton yarn like GANXXET Single Strand Soft Cotton Yarn
- Shuttle
- Tapestry needle
- Shed stick
- Loom comb
- Scissors
- Wooden dowel
How To Weave: Warping Your Loom
Source: The Weaving Loom
Learning how to weave starts with setting up your loom. Follow our steps below.
1) Tie An Overhand Knot To A Peg On Your Loom
First, make an Overhand Knot with your yarn and attach it to a lower peg on your loom. Simply place one end of the yarn over the rest, forming a loop, then tuck the end of the yarn through the loop and pull, affixing it to the desired peg.
2) Pull And Loop Around Opposite Peg
Run your yarn vertically to the opposite peg on the top of your loom frame. Loop it around the top peg.
3) Repeat Around Next Peg
Bring the yarn down to the lower peg to the right of where it had been tied, and loop it around.
4) Continue Until Reaching Your Desired Width
Continue looping around the corresponding upper and lower pegs in an “s” pattern, working your way to the right until the foundation is wide enough for your project.
5) Tie Yarn Tail To Bottom End Of Loom
Tie off the end of the yarn to the bottom right-most peg with an Overhand Knot.
6) Trim Extra Yarn Tails
Take your scissors and trim yarn tails.
7) Test The Tension
Push gently on the warp yarn to determine if the tension is even. If not, adjust it by pulling the looser yarn so that there’s better balance.
How To Weave: Techniques
Now that you have your loom set up, you’ll need to decide what weaving technique to use. Here are some to consider.
Plain/Tabby Weave
Source: Creativ Company
When learning how to weave, it’s good to start with an easy technique such as the Tabby Weave. This is a simple alternating pattern where you run the weft yarn under and over the warp yarn. At the end of the warp, go back, reversing the pattern.
To give more room for the weft yarn, insert your shed stick into the warp thread in the under/over pattern and turn it to the side. Then you should be able to slip your tapestry needle straight through.
After every row, use your loom comb to ensure the rows are together and in line.
You can feel free to get creative. You may want to change your yarns as you go to make patterns and add texture.
Basket Weave
Source: Sauk Prairie Art
The Basket Weave creates a grid-like textured design. It’s similar to the Tabby Weave, except you’ll weave under and over two warp threads each time.
Rya Knot
Source: Creativ Company
Although not technically a weaving pattern, a Rya Knot, which makes a tassel or fringe effect, is a popular element to add to a project.
The Rya Knot is made by looping a strand of yarn around two warp threads, bringing the ends through the center, and pulling them down.
Soumak Stitch
Source: weavewithpat
The soumak stitch sits on top of the warp threads and adds texture. It’s done by pulling out two warp threads and placing the end of the yarn behind them and through, continuing to the right and creating a slanted stitch.
On your first project, you may want to try all of these techniques to create visual interest and get some good practice.
How To Weave: Finishing And Removing Your Weave
Source: Spruce & Linen
Once you’re done with your pattern, it’s time to finish off the weaving and remove it from the loom.
Flip the loom over and weave the yarn tails into the same color so that it doesn’t show through. Cut any extra to make your project look neat.
To remove your project, flip the loom back to the front and gently pull the looped ends off of the pegs one at a time, left to right. Do the same with the bottom. Be careful handling your weave so it doesn’t unravel.
Tie Overhand Knots along the bottom edge of the anchor (first) row, and cut the loops. The same can be done at the top, or, if you’re making a wall hanging, affix it to a dowel using a Lark’s Head Knot.
Now, it’s time to admire your work.
Woven Wonders
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to weave and have mastered some of the beginner skills that will send you on your way.
When you’re ready to gather your materials for your next weaving project, choose high-quality yarns from GANXXET. Our Merino Roving Wool is perfect to add texture and height to your next wall hanging, and our Lambswool Deluxe yarn is soft and naturally beautiful.
When inspiration strikes, you can trust GANXXET for top-shelf materials that will make your project extra special.
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