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DIY Weaving Techniques: 5 Simple Ways To Add Texture

Learn to create beautiful texture to your weaving by following this step-by-step tutorial that utilizes 5 easy techniques. So simple and pretty!If you are a beginner weaver, then you are probably already thinking about how you can add all those lovely textures to your weavings. Aside from all the colours you can choose from and the lovely patterns you can create, texture is one of the most lovely – but perhaps a little intimidating – aspects of creating a wall weaving. So today, I thought I would share with you 5 simple ways to add texture to your weaving to get you started.  You will be surprised at how easy it can be!

(If you are brand new to weaving, I suggest you start by reading An Introduction To Weaving to learn all the basics first).

Are  you ready to add some texture? Let’s get started!

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MATERIALS

Materials Needed - 5 Ways To Add Texture To Your Weaving

1.  FRINGE

One of the most common ways to add texture to a weaving is by adding fringe or ‘tassels’ along the bottom edge. You’ve also probably seen them added to interior portions of a weaving. But for this particular tutorial, I’ll show you how to add lovely long fringe along the bottom.

First, taking your yarn of choice, determine the length of your fringe, double it, and snip off. You can either use a single strand or a group of strands to create a nice full tassel. Fold the full length of the snipped yarn(s) in half.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Add Fringe

To create your first tassel, you will be using 2 warp strands, beginning from left to right. Feed the looped end of your yarn over the first strand and under the second. (In this case, you will be treating the loop knot along the bottom as if it were 2 warp strands).

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Add Fringe

Taking the end(s) of the tassel, feed through the loop.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Add Fringe

Pull through until you’ve created a knot.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Add Fringe

Gently pull the knot down and under the first peg. (If you are using a DIY loom, this may be a nail instead of a peg).

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Add Fringe

Continue creating your fringe, one peg at a time until you reach the end.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Add Fringe

2.  SOUMAK

The soumak technique resembles a braid in that it creates a lovely raised and slanted look.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: SoumakThe trick to this technique is to remember that unlike a plain weave in which you are feeding your yarn over and under the warp strands, as pictured below…

Plain Weaving Technique

Plain Weaving Technique

…you will actually be looping around the strand instead.  (Again, for more on the ‘plain’ or ‘tabby’ weave see An Introduction To Weaving).

Okay, now let’s take a closer look at making soumak loops.

First, taking the end of your yarn feed it under the first 2 warp strands (the loop knot is here treated as a single strand).

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

Then, taking the other end, feed it under the 2 warp strands to the right starting from the right side and pulling toward the left. Continue pulling towards the left to create your first loop.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

Repeat these steps to create the second loop.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

Note: You can also create a soumak weave looping 1 strand at a time.

Continue creating your loops until you reach the end.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

Here is a view of the first row from the side.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

When you create your last loop (I had only 1 strand left, so I treated it as if it were 2 strands), you are ready to create the upper half of the ‘braided’ look.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

To head in the other direction, loop around the last strand(s) a second time.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

Now you can create the upper half simply by recreating the loops in the opposite direction.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

The soumak technique creates a lovely ‘braided’ look and adds a beautiful line of texture in any weaving.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak

For more on soumak weaving, watch this great instructional video: Soumak Weaving.

3.  PILE

Another way to add texture to your weaving is to create a ‘bubbling’ effect, called ‘pile’ weaving.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile TechniqueThe bubbling can be any size, but does require something you can wrap your yarn around. This can be a weaving needle, knitting needle, skewer or dowel, for example. For this weaving, I used dowels to create the effect.

First, choose the yarn with which you want to create your pile weave. Take this yarn and weave one row of plain weave across the warp.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile TechniqueNext, taking one of the dowels, feed it down the second available space from the end.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

Going beneath the yarn, gently pull upwards to create your first bubble.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

Gently turn the dowel towards the left. Then feed the dowel end down the second space available to the left.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

Gently pull up to create a second bubble.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

Continue in this way looping the yarn around the dowel – going underneath the yarn at every second space to the left.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

When you reach the end (I did not loop the final space, but if you are using thin yarn, go ahead and loop edge to edge), push the loops downwards using your dowel to align your row.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

Tip:  If you decide to create a second row of pile weaving, do not remove this dowel just yet. You don’t want to inadvertently pull on the yarn and thus eliminate the lovely bubbling effect you’ve created.

To create a second row, pull out your other dowel and repeat the process going in the opposite direction.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

Once you have two rows, push the dowels together and gently slide out the first dowel.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

The same steps should be taken when creating a third or fourth row (as I did here).

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Pile Technique

For an easy to follow video tutorial, I recommend watching How To Weave Loops (Pile Weave).

4.  VARY MATERIALS

When it comes to adding texture to your weaving, perhaps one of the simplest ways is to vary your materials. Not only should you vary the thickness of your yarns – as I do for this weaving – but experiment with non-yarn materials, including ribbon, leather, jute, twine, and lace, for example. Anything long and flexible can work. Varying your materials will add to your weaving’s visual interest, making it uniquely your own.

For this weaving, I chose lace to add some textural variation (there are so many inexpensive lace varieties to choose from).

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Use LaceTo make it ready for weaving, I twisted it between my fingers and wove it across the warp.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Use Lace

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Use Lace

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Use Lace

So simple, yet effective!

As you make your way up your weaving, don’t be afraid to continue varying the materials as well as the techniques you’ve just learned.

Tip: Don’t forget to weave between each of your textured portions with some plain weave not only to emphasize the textures, but to make sure your weaving holds together well.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Weaving in Progress

5.  GROUPING STRANDS

When creating a weaving, whether you are creating a plain weave, soumak weave, pile weave or fringe, you can always create even more texture by grouping multiple strands together.

I did this when creating the fringe along the bottom, using two differing colours (white and tan) to emphasize the textural variation.

Plain Weaving Technique

I also grouped strands along the soumak finish at the top end for added depth.

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Soumak finish along top edge.

When you are ready to remove your weaving, simply slide a dowel or branch through the loops along the top and pull off the loom (the fringes pop off easily along the bottom).

Learn to create beautiful texture to your weaving by following this step-by-step tutorial that utilizes 5 easy techniques. So simple and pretty!

Can you identify each of the techniques used in this weaving? Here is the breakdown:

Learn to create beautiful texture to your weaving by following this step-by-step tutorial that utilizes 5 easy techniques. So simple and pretty!

Now you are ready to hang up your masterpiece!

Learn to create beautiful texture to your weaving by following this step-by-step tutorial that utilizes 5 easy techniques. So simple and pretty!

Learn to create beautiful texture to your weaving by following this step-by-step tutorial that utilizes 5 easy techniques. So simple and pretty!

Learn to create beautiful texture to your weaving by following this step-by-step tutorial that utilizes 5 easy techniques. So simple and pretty!

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Weaving in Progress

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Weaving in Progress

Weaving Techniques/Adding Texture: Weaving in Progress

Learn to create beautiful texture to your weaving by following this step-by-step tutorial that utilizes 5 easy techniques. So simple and pretty!

I hope these 5 simple ways to add texture have sparked some ideas to get you started with added variation to your weaving.

Like the look of textured, creamy yarn wall hangings, but don’t have the time to make your own? Try my favourite affordable options on Amazon like these Yarn Wall Hangings.

Experiment and have fun πŸ™‚

 

 

 

Learn to create beautiful texture to your weaving by following this step-by-step tutorial that utilizes 5 easy techniques. So simple and pretty!

 


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Click on the image below to purchase your kit and start weaving!

 

 

40 Comments

  • Reply
    Sam@Raggedy Bits
    June 29, 2016 at 10:23 pm

    Oh my!!! I remember doing weaving at school and LOVED it! This is AMAZING!! I love all the different types of materials you used. It sure does add some texture! Just stunning! Sharing all over the world πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Jelica
    June 30, 2016 at 8:14 am

    Thanks Sam! I never did any weaving as a kid, so I think I am making up for lost time πŸ˜‰ I just love it so much and enjoy experimenting with colour and texture. Have a great week!

  • Reply
    Wendi@H2OBungalow
    July 3, 2016 at 5:51 am

    Wow! Your weaving skills are amazing! I’ve never seen a tutorial on weaving before. The different stitches and texture are gorgeous! This would be great on a wall. Pinned!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 4, 2016 at 11:58 am

      Thanks Wendi! That’s so kind of you to say. I am a big fan of weaving and love to share all that I learn along the way. Glad you enjoyed this tutorial. I hope you give it a try πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Millie
    July 8, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    wow this weaving is beautiful! Great tute! I had wondered how to get the varied effects and now I know! I am so going to try making my own hanging πŸ™‚ Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 8, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks so much Millie!

  • Reply
    Sarah
    July 9, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    Pinned! I love your tips!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 9, 2016 at 3:32 pm

      Thanks so much Sarah!

  • Reply
    Kim Sharman
    July 10, 2016 at 7:03 am

    You have such amazing ideas. This wall hanging is divine!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 10, 2016 at 10:14 am

      That’s so sweet of you to say Kim πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Pili
    July 13, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    Wow Jelica!! I love how creative you are and that weaving is amazing! The mix of textures give dimension and it is art hanging from the wall
    Thanks for linking up with us at Sweet Inspiration and inspire others

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 13, 2016 at 3:36 pm

      Thanks Pili! I loved using a monochromatic colour palette for this weaving in order to allow the textures to stand on their own. Thanks for stopping by πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Helen Fern
    July 17, 2016 at 8:53 am

    You make weaving look so simple! Thanks for sharing at the Pleasures of the NWs DIY Party!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 17, 2016 at 3:24 pm

      Thanks Helen πŸ™‚ My pleasure!

  • Reply
    creativejewishmom/sara
    July 24, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Fantastic, amazing tutorial! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 24, 2016 at 5:48 pm

      Always happy to share πŸ™‚ Thanks!

  • Reply
    Suzie@Suziesview
    July 25, 2016 at 12:33 am

    I was just thinking about weaving the other day so this is right on time to inspire me on to do it again. Thank you! Yours turned out divine!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 25, 2016 at 11:36 am

      Thanks very much Suzie. Glad I could inspire you πŸ˜‰ I chose an all-white design because I really wanted the textures to speak for themselves. It goes so well in my living room!

  • Reply
    Ashleigh
    August 4, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    Always great to see you miss! Thanks for sharing at Peace, Love, Linkup! Hope to see you tomorrow! : )

    • Reply
      Jelica
      August 7, 2016 at 4:57 pm

      Right back at you, Ashleigh πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Erin
    September 20, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    Really helpful blog post! I like the 2 bigger yarns you used, what kind of yarn are they? How would I google for something like that? Thanks!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      October 21, 2016 at 3:24 pm

      Hi Erin! Found your comment in my spam πŸ™ Sorry about that. Re: the large yarns – I don’t have the exact info for you, but any thicker cotton yarns work for this project. The largest one I used was actually more or less ‘roving’ yarn (unspun) and very similar to ‘pencil roving’ yarns. Here is an example of it on an Etsy site: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/248924974/perendale-wool-20-ply-pencil-roving?ref=market. Hope this helps! Happy weaving πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Fiona
    November 2, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    Lovely! Thanks for the tutorial!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      November 3, 2018 at 9:00 pm

      You are most welcome Fiona!

  • Reply
    chantal fix
    November 27, 2018 at 7:03 am

    merci pour ce superbe tuto tout est tres bien expliquΓ© les photos sont magnifiques merci merci j ai hate de commencer

    • Reply
      Jelica
      December 9, 2018 at 1:07 pm

      Merci Chantal! I’m so glad you enjoyed the tutorial. I do try and make all my weaving tutorials as detailed as possible. I know how valuable that is when one is first starting out with weaving πŸ™‚ Good luck!

      • Reply
        Jen Walsh
        October 27, 2019 at 2:51 am

        Just a thank you very much for sharing.

        Enjoyed reading through and looking at what you’ve done.

        Lovely.

        • Reply
          Jelica
          November 17, 2019 at 8:02 pm

          Thanks very much Jen. I appreciate you stopping by. Weaving is one of my favourite art forms – I just love slowing down and letting my fingers create πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Cindy
    December 29, 2018 at 9:38 am

    I always LOVE to visit your site and tutorials, and always excellent photos too! I am curious about the bottom fringe. It appears that because you have pegs at the bottom, the rye knots will just keep the bottom intact? If that’s the case I’m definately going to be changing my loom! Securing the bottom of the weave (with all the little warp ends needing to be hidden) is not a favorite thing to do.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      January 15, 2019 at 7:19 pm

      Hi Cindy – I’m so happy you enjoy my tutorials! I love sharing them πŸ™‚ Each type of loom definitely has its advantages. The one thing about a peg loom is that you can definitely secure the rya knots along the bottom before their even taken off the loom. No need for that extra step πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Shoaleh
    January 20, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    Wow. I’ve never done any weaving. But now that I’ve seen a few tutorials and tried making a small cardboard weaving loom and a few rows of plain weaving stitches, I really am falling in love with it. Your wall hanging is marvelous and I sure am going to try the techniques you beautifully have shown here. Thank you so much.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      January 21, 2019 at 5:36 am

      I fell in love with weaving the same way Shoaleh! When I started, I did not realize just how much joy it would give me. I’m so glad you got some inspiration from this tutorial. Don’t forget to check out my latest post which provides an easy way to navigate to 10 best weaving tutorials from the blog here: https://bit.ly/2HjXrb3 Hope you have a terrific week!

  • Reply
    Stacy
    March 8, 2019 at 2:36 am

    Thank you for your guide

    Can a weave such as this be turned into a pillow slip?

    • Reply
      Jelica
      April 13, 2019 at 4:55 pm

      Yes, Stacy – absolutely. I’ve seen pillows that have been woven that use a combination of plain weave and textured weave and it appears to work very well. You may want to experiment on small, sample pieces first as it will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of yarn you use (natural fibers seem to work better than acrylics which don’t stack as well when weaving, for example).

  • Reply
    Charlemagne
    September 29, 2019 at 10:03 pm

    Hi! great tutorial! do you knot each layer? how does it stay and not become undone? thanks!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      October 20, 2019 at 5:08 pm

      Hi Charlemagne, I don’t knot the rows, but I do weave the ends into the back of the weaving. For a tutorial on that, check out my Introduction to Wall Weaving (Part 2) where I show you how to weave in all those ends! http://bit.ly/2Bup1fS

  • Reply
    April Cartwright
    March 4, 2020 at 10:33 am

    How well would these techniques work on a rigid heddle loom?

    • Reply
      Jelica
      March 23, 2020 at 5:44 pm

      Hi April,
      Good Question: I don’t own a rigid heddle loom (yet!) but most of the techniques here are transferable. A great book to consult is The Weaver’s Idea Book: Creative Cloth on A Rigid Heddle Loom. This book discusses how to add texture to your weaves, including soumak and other patterns. If you’d like to consult a rigid heddle loom teacher, such as Kelly Casanova (on YouTube). Hope this helps!

  • Reply
    Carla J Shipley
    April 24, 2020 at 10:12 pm

    Hi Jelica everything you
    I love your site and your talent shines through everything you do. A question…. would the techniques you used work for a rug, like a bedroom where it wouldn’t be walked on much? Thank you for all the time you put in so we can all learn. I am new to weaving but anxious to learn.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      April 14, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      Hi Carla,
      I’m just catching up with some comments and saw yours just now. Any of the techniques can work anywhere – wall, floor, etc – BUT I would caution you to choose the right yarn. For anything underfoot, I would recommend using rug yarns that are typically 100% wool. These are meant to be more durable. OR you may want to choose rag-rug style yarns – jersey materials – as these are great for rugs as well. Hope this helps you in your weaving journey πŸ™‚

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