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DIY Woven Bookmarks (For Beginners)

I’m back with another weaving post today. This time, I’m sharing how to make these DIY woven bookmarks. It’s the perfect project for beginners.

With some yarn, a cardboard loom, and needle, learn how to make these fun and vibrant DIY woven bookmarks in this step-by-step tutorial // aprettyfix.com

Start Small

One of the best ways to practice the art of weaving is to create a lot of small weavings. Better to make our mistakes on a small scale than on a large scale.

(In case you missed it, you’ll want to check out these other mini weaving tutorials: DIY Woven Coasters, DIY Mini Framed Weaving, and 3 Mini Weavings, 2 Techniques).

Oh, I know what you’re thinking: “But I want to make dynamic, intricate wall weavings, like the ones I see on Pinterest!” Woa now. As Yoda says, “patience you must have.” Experimenting on small weavings first is going to help you discover all the little tricks and techniques needed for the large-scale wall hangings that you love.

Practice Shapes

One of the other advantages of starting small is that you can test out how to make shapes in your weavings. When you first start out, creating basic squares, triangles or circles can seem like a bit of a mystery. But don’t worry, in this tutorial, you’ll see just how easy it can be.

So, if you are up for practicing shapes – or just want to add these cute bookmarks to your collection – then you will love this simple DIY woven bookmarks tutorial.

MATERIALS You Will Need To Make These DIY Woven Bookmarks:

Materials need to make bookmarks using yarn and a homemade loom.

  • yarn (I recommend no thicker than worsted weight ‘3’)
  • weaving needle
  • cardboard loom
  • scissors
  • small circular lid (not pictured)
  • pen or chalk pencil (not pictured)

(optional: iron, ironing board, Mod Podge, foam brush)

STEPS

Step 1:  Make A Cardboard Loom

I used the same 10″ X 5″ loom I had for my DIY Woven Coasters post.

Homemade cardboard loom.

I cut 1/5 inch slits across the top and bottom of the cardboard. These slits are what will hold your threads in place.

(See the full tutorial on how to make this cardboard loom here).

Step 2:  Warp Your Loom

The ‘warp’ is a weaving term that refers to the vertical threads of a weaving (see my Introduction to Weaving for a brief discussion on weaving terms). Every weaving starts this way. There are 8 warp threads used for each bookmark.

To create your warp, begin by tucking the top end of your yarn into one of the slits across the top.

Beginning to warp a handmade loom.

Next, pull the warp thread down and tuck into the slit directly below. Wrap the thread around the back side of the cardboard until you reach the top. Then tuck the thread into the slit to the right.

Warp loom by wrapping yarn.

Continue wrapping around the loom until you have 8 visible warp threads.

Finish with 8 warp threads.

Step 3:  Plain Weave

For all 3 bookmarks, you will be using the ‘plain’ (or ‘tabby’) weave stitch. It is the simplest kind there is. (For a detailed explanation of the tabby or plain weave technique, see my Introduction To Weaving, Part 2 or my DIY Mini Framed Weaving tutorial).

Begin by threading your needle. Weave the yarn into the warp threads by going over and under every other one. Continue making rows, four to five, for the base.

Using plain weave to begin your DIY bookmark.

Step 4:  Creating Shapes

ANGLES

To create your first angle, you will be using the same ‘plain’ weaving technique. But instead of weaving all the way across, you will stop at different warp threads along the way to create your angles as you see below.

Here is a sample of what an angled weaving looks like.

To create this look, begin by weaving one colour at a time. Here is a sample of the first completed block of colour.

Here is a sample of the first angled weave in your DIY bookmark.

To create angles, you simply weave around 1 additional warp thread at a time. In this particular case, I wove 2 rows of equal length before adding a warp thread for a more gradual angle.

For this bookmark, there are 3 angled blocks of colour. Follow along below as I begin creating the second angled sequence of stitches.

Start by weaving over a single warp thread, twice, as seen in the picture below.

Use 1 warp strand to create 2 'rows' of weaving.

Then, weave the next two rows, this time using 2 warp strands.

Using two warp strands, weave two more rows // DIY bookmarks.

Continue the pattern of adding 1 more warp strand for every two rows completed.  For this bookmark, I created 12 rows for each angled block.

How to make angles in weavings / woven bookmark.

To create the third angle in your bookmark, repeat the process. Finish off the top end by using plain weave.

Complete the third angle in your woven bookmark.

(Don’t worry about the loose yarn threads. You will weave these into the back side at the end. For now, just be sure to leave at least 3-4 inches of loose thread).

Next, taking another colour of yarn, fill in the rows of empty (or ‘negative’) space. I used the same thickness for the white yarn so that the rows appear to match up, but you don’t have to.

Fill the negative space by weaving with white yarn.

Completely fill in the negative space with white yarn for this DIY woven bookmark.

(I’ll show you how to remove the bookmark from the loom later. For now, let’s continue learning how to create shapes.)

SQUARES

Because weavings are made up of horizontal and vertical threads, creating squares is a far easier process.

Like the first bookmark, this one is divided into 3 sections. In this case, each section is itself made up of 3 rectangular shapes (as pictured below). For every rectangle created, there are 4 rows of weaving – can you spot the rows?

How to weave squares in a handmade bookmark design is simple.

Let’s have a closer look at the first section.

Creating squared edges is easy in a woven bookmark design.

For the first rectangle within the first section, use 2 warp threads. Weave 4 rows.

For the second block, use 4 warp threads. Weave the next 4 rows.

For the third block, use 6 threads. Weave the final 4 rows.

Repeat the process for each section. Your bookmark should look something like this:

Add more warp threads when creating square designs for this handmade woven bookmark.

As with the first bookmark, fill in the negative space with white or other colour of choice.

Fill in negative space with white yarn to complete the look of this DIY bookmark.

Finish off the look at the top with black yarn or other colour of choice.

A woven bookmark tutorial using square designs and patterns.

HALF CIRCLES

Circular shapes are not very difficult to make. But given the nature of a weaving, which consists of vertical and horizontal yarn, circles are never ‘perfectly’ circular. They often appear pixelated and that’s okay.

Half circles will look pixelated in weavings, including this handmade bookmark.

(Tip: There are certain ‘tricks’ that can be learned to smooth out a circle, including the ‘twining’ technique, but for this project I didn’t want to make things too complicated. If you’d like to check out what this is, click here for a great little tutorial by Kate from The Weaving Loom blog)

To create your half circles for this DIY bookmark, you will need something circular, like a cap or lid. Trace the half circle by lightly marking the warp threads using a pen or chalk pencil.

Trace circle using a lid. This will provide a guide to making your half circle woven bookmark design.

Then simply fill in the circle by weaving rows. Do not worry about symmetry here. Simply weave across until you reach the mark left on the warp thread.

Weaving scallop or half circle designs in your handmade bookmark is easy.

Continue the process by weaving 2 more half circles and then filling in the negative space with white yarn. Then cap off the top end with black yarn.

Step 5:  Remove DIY Woven Bookmarks From the Loom

Cut the the warp threads on the back side of the loom.

Cut warp threads (DIY Woven Bookmark).

Gently remove the bookmark from the loom.

Remove warp threads (DIY woven bookmark).

Tie the ends, two at a time.

Tie warp threads (DIY Bookmarks).Tip: These DIY woven bookmarks will feel fragile in your hands. Careful not to pull too tightly when tying the threads, otherwise you might risk bunching up the weaving, much like a draw string on a bag.

As for any loose threads along the side, weave those into the back side and cut off the excess.

Weave in loose threads and cut off the excess (woven bookmarks tutorial).

Step 6:  Optional -> Prep Bookmarks

Unless the yarn you use is especially thin, your DIY woven bookmarks may make your book bulge out a bit. Even my size 3 worsted weight yarn required a bit of prep work to flatten them out a bit.

First, gently iron each of your DIY woven bookmarks on the lowest setting. Press, do not drag the iron across.

Iron flat by gently pressing your DIY woven bookmark.

Once ironed, the yarn will flatten out a bit.

Since the bookmarks are made of yarn, they will be soft and floppy. If you want them stiffened, then simply apply some Mod Podge.

Apply Mod Podge to stiffen these DIY bookmarks.

Dip a foam brush into the Mod Podge and wipe off all the excess. Then very gently dab each bookmark, front and back.

Dab Mod Podge all over handmade bookmarks.

Since the purpose is not to seal, but stiffen the bookmark, you don’t need to cover every little spot.

The Mod Podge will be white, but don’t worry, it becomes translucent as it dries.

Tip: The Mod Podge will bind the yarn together, so before it dries take a toothpick and gently separate the rows.

Ready For Use

Once dried, you’ll have the sweetest little bookmarks, ready for use!

Make these sweet DIY woven bookmarks in this easy step-by-step tutorial.

Learn to make woven bookmarks in this simple tutorial.

Learn to create woven shapes in this simple DIY mini bookmark tutorial.

As I mentioned at the top of this post, practicing your weaving techniques on smaller pieces is one of the best ways to see what works and what doesn’t.

Using the basic plain weave stitch, learn how to make these bright and vibrant bookmarks.

And it’s a darn good way to try multiple techniques in a short period of time.

With some yarn, a needle and cardboard loom, make these super cute DIY bookmarks.

Plus, you’ll have some cute little projects to do with the kiddos!

Happy weaving!

Learn to weave shapes with these mini DIY woven bookmarks.

 

If you enjoyed this DIY, then you may also want to check out the following tutorials:

Make some super cute woven coasters using cardboard, yarn and needle. So simple and beautiful to create. A great project for beginner weavers!

Create these super cute mini weavings using two easy to make weaving techniques. A lovely alternative to wall art and sweet addition to any space.

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.

 

For more craft, decor, and style tips from just some of my favourite bloggers, check out the following link parties: Create~Bake~MakeMad SkillsHappiness is HomemadeCraft Schooling SundaySweet InspirationPretty Pintastic Party and Welcome Home Wednesdays.

 

8 Comments

  • Reply
    Michelle
    June 19, 2017 at 8:33 am

    I love you weaving tutorials Jelica – have I said that before?. They’re always super easy to understand and all your projects looks so lovely.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      June 19, 2017 at 9:28 am

      Thanks Michelle!

  • Reply
    creativejewishmom/sara
    July 2, 2017 at 6:40 am

    Love these Jellica, a perfect little summer craft to make and enjoy! Thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 7, 2017 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Sara 🙂

  • Reply
    Christina Makri
    July 6, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    Great tutorial! Even for a beginner like me it is so easy following the instructions and how cute are these bookmarks!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 7, 2017 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks Christina! It’s often tricky posting weaving tutorials – they’re often difficult to capture because the craft is so detailed. I’m so glad you could follow along though. Hope you try this one out 🙂

  • Reply
    Jane
    June 22, 2019 at 5:39 pm

    Hi
    Im new to weaving. I came across these bookmarks which i want to make. Only trouble is i have the basic understanding of weaving but when it came to starting of the triangles i cant seem to understand how to start them off. Its a little bit confusing for me Needing help with this please.
    Regards
    Jane

    • Reply
      Jelica
      August 18, 2019 at 1:18 pm

      Hi Jane,
      Take a look at the second picture under Step 4, Creating Shapes:

      If you are starting at the tip of the triangle at the bottom of the teal coloured triangle:

      FIRST: Think of the triangle as being made up of rows of yarn woven over and under each of the warp strings.
      The tip of the triangle at the bottom uses 1 warp string.
      The next row uses 2 warp strings.
      The next row uses 3 warp strings, etc.

      HOW TO START: Start your first row by laying the yarn horizontally over the first warp string, leaving a 2-inch tail on the left side, while threaded end is on the right.
      Then, pinch the yarn and string between your fingers to keep it from moving.
      Feed the needle behind the same warp string (to the right of the string) feeding the tip towards the back and then twist it under and towards the left until the tip is now facing the left. Pull the needle all the way through and pull on the yarn until it’s fully wrapped around the warp string. You’ve just created the tip of the triangle.

      Next, turn the tip of the needle towards the right again and go over the first warp string, then under the second warp string and pull up all the way, until the yarn has wrapped itself around both warp strings. (Don’t pull so much that your yarn pulls out).

      Then, continue the process in the opposite direction, this time using 3 warp strings.

      I hope this helps! If you need more examples, take a peek at my Introduction to Wall Weaving where I show how I created another triangle in a wall weaving I created here: https://aprettyfix.com/introduction-to-weaving-part-1-of-2/

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