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An Introduction to Weaving (Part 1 of 2)

If you’ve been loving the wall weaving trend, but just don’t know where to begin, you’ll love this basic introduction to weaving. In this two-part post, I’ll be walking you through the basic steps of how to create your first wall weaving, so stick around!

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiful alternative to traditional wall art.

Wall weavings have been making a major comeback in recent years. They are homespun and yet incredibly hip in their current application. They add a unique touch to any space, particularly if you are tired of hanging yet another framed photo on the wall and are looking to be inventive with your decor. Until recently, wall weavings had been considered passé and old-fashioned. Well, no more! Just a simple search on the internet produces images of wall weavings of all sorts that adorn the walls of spaces of all tastes and styles from traditional to modern and from Scandi-inspired to relaxed and bohemian. This is a craft well worth learning and its application is endless! I had such a blast making my first wall weaving that I wanted to share how I did it with all of you this week.

Given that this may be your first introduction to it as well (or if you are simply looking for some additional tips), I really wanted to start from the ground up, sharing all that I’ve learned so far. In this two-part post, ‘An Introduction to Weaving,’ I will be covering all the basics of starting your first weaving project. Since there was a lot of material to cover, I’ll be sharing the first part of this post today, while the second half will be posted on Wednesday (click here to go directly to part 2).

Today, we will be covering the foundations of creating your own wall weaving. This includes:

1. Materials you will need & where to find them.

2. Weaving terms you should become familiar with.

3. Getting started – creating the foundation of your wall weaving.

So, sit back and enjoy reading part 1 of this introduction to weaving!

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Materials you will need & where to find them.

While I am very comfortable with yarn arts as a whole (check out my geometric embroidery art here or this DIY yarn wall hanging here), I had never tackled weaving before. The first thing I did was read about basic weaving (wall weavings, specifically) online –there are now several sites that provide loads of information about this craft.

Once I understood the basics, I determined that as it was to be my first wall weaving, I would start with something small. This led me to purchase a ‘lap loom.’ The loom is the actual device you use to help you weave, while the lap loom simply denotes its size – it quite literally fits on your lap and is, therefore, mobile. You can move around your home and do your weaving anywhere, watching your favourite tv show or sitting outside. I highly recommend it!

After searching around and seeing a wide range of prices, I decided to purchase this lap loom by Harrisville Designs (an award-winning manufacturer that creates a variety of crafting products). It’s 12 by 16 inches and comes with a starter kit that’s now available in my Etsy Shop, ‘Loom & Fibre’:


This is the perfect loom for the beginner as it provides all the basic materials you will need. (My kit is also packed with Bonus Freebies that includes weaving staples for the modern weaver that you won’t find elsewhere).

To purchase your kit, click on the image below to see all that’s included in each kit:

(If you are especially adventurous, you can make your own. After getting accustomed to using a lap loom, I decided to make a larger loom of my own. You can check out the full tutorial here:  How To Make a Basic Loom)

But for my first loom project, I thought it was worth it to start with one professionally crafted that also came with a starter kit of basic weaving materials.

Weaving terms & materials needed for your wall weaving.

Okay, let’s get started.

In creating your own wall weaving you will need the following items:

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiiful alternative to traditional wall art.

  • Lap loom
  • Cotton yarn for the warp (warp: foundation of the weaving created from the cotton yarn – in other words, the vertical strands of a wall weaving)
  • Yarn of various thicknesses (for interest and texture) and colours (look through pinterest or google images for inspiration on colour combinations that catch your eye)
    • these yarns will create the weft (weft: the material that is woven horizontally across the warp)
  • Tapestry needle: about 3 inches long with a dull end and large eye to thread thinner yarns
    • (Update: For this project, I used a straight needle, but I now often use this bent tip tapestry needle. It allows you to get under your warp threads with far greater ease.)
  • Shuttle: this is the stick with the u-shape ends used to feed thicker yarns into the warp
  • Shed stick: this is the flat wood piece with the pointed end; this is woven through the warp to make space, making it easier when feeding yarn using the shuttle (all this will be shown below)
  • Scissors
  • Dowel (about 4 inches wider than the weaving)
  • Washi Tape (for some added colour on the dowel ends)

(Purchasing a kit like the one in my Etsy Shop provides you with all the basic tools all-in-one package).

Getting started – creating the foundation of your wall weaving.

Step 1: Create Your Warp

Make a loop knot at the end of the cotton yarn and place over the top left peg. Pull down and loop around the bottom left peg from the left side and then pull up on the right side of the peg. Continue upwards, looping around the second peg at the top from the left side of the peg towards the right and continuing downwards as before.

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiiful alternative to traditional wall art.

Continue this way until you have the sufficient width you would like to create, finishing with another loop knot.

Tip: Make sure that your warp is not too tight. This is so that when you are ready to begin weaving using your yarn, you will thread it through with ease. As you add more yarn, the warp actually tightens along the way. If your warp is too tight from the start, then your weaving will end up bowing in the middle, not to mention making it difficult to work with. As you make your warp, simply press down on it from time to time to ensure there is some give.

Step 2: Add Tassels

To create tassels along the bottom, cut the length of your chosen yarn – about 20 inches or more is a good length for the size of this particular loom. Fold your yarn in half twice, which will leave a little over 5 inches of yarn. (You will be trimming it later, so it is better to start with a longer tassel that you can cut to your taste later on).

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiiful alternative to traditional wall art.

You will be creating one tassel per peg. Thread the folded center over the first strand of warp and under the second then back up again.

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiiful alternative to traditional wall art.

Take the ends on the left side up and over the second strand of your warp and under the loop you’ve just created, feeding them through. This will be the start of your first knot.

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiiful alternative to traditional wall art.

Keep pulling  through towards the right until you have created your knot.

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiiful alternative to traditional wall art.

Pull the tassel ends downward so that the knot ends up underneath the peg.

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiiful alternative to traditional wall art.

Repeat this process for each peg until all the pegs have a tassel attached.

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiiful alternative to traditional wall art.

You have now created the foundation of your weaving! Easier than you thought, right? At this stage, you are ready to begin creating a lovely piece of woven art, the basis of which will be the finished weaving below:

Learn the art of wall weaving in this basic introduction to materials, terms used, and how to create your own one-of-a-kind wall weaving for your home. A beautiiful alternative to traditional wall art.

Sometimes, all it takes is a step-by-step tutorial to take the intimidation factor out of trying a new craft. So, if you’ve made it this far, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back 🙂

In part 2 of this introduction to weaving, I show you the basics of creating your ‘weft’ (aka weaving) design, so don’t forget to check it out.

Happy weaving 🙂

 

 

 

 

9 Comments

  • Reply
    Cassie @ Little Red Window
    April 28, 2016 at 9:32 am

    This is gorgeous Jelica! Thank you for linking up with us this week at The DIY Collective Link Party! Please come back and party with us again next Thursday!
    xoxo, Cassie @ Little Red Window

    • Reply
      Jelica
      April 28, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks Cassie. That’s so sweet! I really enjoy your weekly link party – there is so much fresh inspiration for craft and decor ideas from so many talented bloggers out there 🙂

  • Reply
    Sally Schnitzius
    September 5, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    As a beginning weaver, this looks like the perfect project to start. Thanks for the easy to understand tutorial. I really think I’m on my way, all thanks to you.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      September 7, 2016 at 9:02 pm

      You’re very welcome Sally! So glad you found the tutorial helpful 🙂

  • Reply
    DK
    November 27, 2018 at 8:18 am

    Hello! I’m having a tough time with my warp thread popping off my loom. I made a loom like you pictured (with nails to hold the warp thread). Every time I try to tighten before I tie off the warp thread pops off the loom. Do you have any advice? Other than patience? Ha ha!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      December 9, 2018 at 1:13 pm

      Hi DK, Without knowing your loom, I’m going to offer a few things that may or may not help (and feel free to respond back if you need more info): The nails I used ‘brad’ nails (as opposed to finishing nails) along the top and bottom of my loom. A brad nail has a thin gauge at the tip of the nail (making it look more like a “T”) so that when I’m warping the loom, my yarn catches at the tip and does not slide off. Finishing nails do not have a “T” shape so that there is nothing to prevent the cotton from sliding off. Another thing to consider is the angle of the nails. You may need to re-nail the nails so that they are angled up a bit. So, when you are looking at the top of the loom from a side view, the nails are sitting at a “V” shape instead of an “L” shape. That way, when you’re warping, the yarn will slide into the groove of the “V”. I REALLY hope this helps in some way. If not, please do write back 🙂 Take care 🙂

  • Reply
    DK
    December 10, 2018 at 10:14 am

    Thanks for your answer! My loom has finishing nails so that may have been part of the problem. However, I was not prepared for how tightly I had to pull the warp thread, so it would get so loose it would slip off when I tried to tighten. I have just learned I have to originally warp thread pretty tightly bc threads get loose quickly- rookie mistake, i suppose! Thanks again for your help!

  • Reply
    Star
    May 28, 2020 at 9:00 pm

    I would love to try this. Most sites say you have to weave some rows
    Before you put the tassels on. If you start with tassels will the project
    Unravel or ? I am a beginner.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 17, 2020 at 6:12 pm

      Hi Star, I would recommend starting with a few rows of weaving as well, just to anchor the tassels. A few woven rows won’t show through. Either way, you’ll need to tie the warp strings (the vertical strings) along the bottom of the rows, once you’ve removed the piece from the loom. If you click to my DIY Woven Coasters post, you’ll see the easiest way to tie off the warp strings against the woven rows: https://aprettyfix.com/diy-woven-coasters/ But with your piece, the tassels will hide the ends that you’ve tied off. Hope this helps!

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