How to Make a Yarn Loom
Weaving is a textile craft whose origins can be traced back more than 5,000 years to cultures around the world. Looms are tools for weaving that can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. A rectangular or picture-frame-style loom is a simple design that provides endless possibilities for weaving your textile. Constructed of wood, it provides a means to hold the tension of the warp threads while the welt threads are interwoven to form the design. An 11 inch by 16 inch loom is an ideal size for a first project.
Things You'll Need
- 2 wood strips, 1 x 2 x 11 inches
- 2 wood strips, 1 x 2 x 16 inches
- 1 wood strip, 1/4 x 2 x 12 inches
- 8 dowels, 5/16 x 2 inches
- Square
- Drill
- Drill bit, 5/16 gauge
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Clamp
Instructions
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1
Clamp one 16-inch wood strip to a work bench or table. Protect the surface by placing a scrap piece of wood between the wood strip and the table to prevent drilling through the work surface.
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2
Lay the 11-inch wood strip on top of the 16-inch piece to form the upper-right-hand corner of the frame. Check that it is flush with the end. Place the square on the corner and check that it is squared. Drill two 5/16-inch holes an inch apart, diagonally from the corner. Drill through both pieces of wood.
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3
Cover two dowels with glue. Tap them into the holes with the hammer until they are through both pieces of wood. Wipe off any excess glue.
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4
Place the second 11-inch wood strip flush with the opposite end of the wood strip to form the second corner. Place the square on the corner and make sure it is squared. Drill two 5/16-inch holes,1 inch apart, diagonally from the corner. Cover two dowels with glue. Tap them into the holes with the hammer until they are through both pieces of wood. Wipe off any excess glue.
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5
Remove the clamp and clamp the second 16-inch wood strip to the table. Attach the third and fourth corners by drilling and inserting the dowels the same as the first two corners. Wipe off any excess glue. Set the frame aside until the glue has thoroughly dried.
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6
Sand the 12-inch wood strip to remove any roughness on the surface that might catch or break the thread when you are weaving. This will become the shed stick or needle. Sand the ends and edges until they are rounded off.
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7
Sand the dowels that have been hammered into the loom until they are flush on all sides.
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Tips & Warnings
You may increase the size of the loom to accommodate a larger project by using longer wood strips.
Increasing the frame size substantially will put a tremendous strain on the wood strips. It is recommended that when increasing the length of the strips, the dimension should be increased proportionately. Using wood strips with a larger dimension will improve the strength and make the larger frame more stable.
