How to Make a Weaving By Hand

Ever since I was a young kid, I have enjoyed weaving. There is something very calming about weaving that just soothes the soul for me. The purpose of this piece is just to give some simple directions on how to start your own weaving if you would like to give it a try. Feel free to ask questions in the comment section or let me know if you have done weavings in the past. The photos below are from me doing a recent weaving that I gave to my daughter. I was going to give it to some octogenarian at a local nursing home, but my young daughter stopped me and said that she wanted it. I'm not sure if she was just being nice, but I ended up giving it to her and it is currently hanging in her room now.

Step 1:

Build a simple loom made from wood as shown in the photo below. It requires an equal number of nails on the north top and south bottom of your loom. Or, you could purchase a loom if you do not wish to make the loom yourself. You can make the loom smaller than the one in the picture if you want something that is a smaller piece. On the top, tie the base vertical yarn color that you wish to have. Tautly run the yarn down to the bottom nail and then back up to the top, repeat this until you have wrapped the year around each nail. Then, you can use a different color, or the same color of year to do the horizontal weaving (over, under, over under). On the next row, you do the oppose (under, over, under over). Some people like to use a large plastic needle or you don't technically need to have a needle. I actually just use may hands for this part honestly. A drybar the slider wide-tooth comb can be used to pull down the horizontal yarn as you go row by row, or you can simply use your fingers to gently pull down the horizontal yarn.

Step 2:

The next step would be to change the yarn color. Obviously, you are not required to change the yarn color but if you do it makes the contrast of colors a bit more interesting. In the past I would do equal lengths on both side but on this particular project I decided to change it up so I made the pattern more diagonal. Once I got an inch and a half in with the darker color, I started weaving not as far in and then it tapered. Then, I added the lighter color to fill in the void. Again, usually I just do equal strips of horizontal colors. I would not recommend doing a diagonal pattern on your first weaving because it is a bit more complex to do. I encourage you to try not to pull too tightly on the ends because otherwise the weaving starts to take on more of an hourglass figure. If you want it to be more rectangular, then try to keep it loose in the middle especially.

Step 3:

In step three I added a different textured yarn which I really liked. It really changed up the weaving and ended up being my favorite part. I thought about tying on two sand dollars to give it a bit of a beach feel because I like the beach. You could add beads to your weaving or other tokens wish to.

Step 4:

The final step is to sew in words if you choose to but you don't have to add words if you don't wish to. This was the first time that I added words. In the past, I would usually just do the weaving without words of any kind. After you finish the words, then you can carefully cut off the ends and tie them off. I left the loops at the bottom because I liked the way it made it looks like waves. You could also add beads on the bottom for extra decoration. Remember, the back of the weaving isn't going to look pretty because it will show all the knots that have been tied. This type of weaving is designed to be a decorate piece that can be hung on the wall.

I would love to hear about your projects and how they are coming along! Post a comment below to let me know what you are working on or if you feel inspired to give weaving a try.