How to Make a Weaving Machine

Get started weaving with a homemade frame loom.

A frame loom is basically a large rectangular frame that allows you to weave by hand. You should be able to build one even if you've never touched a hammer in your life. While there are certainly more complex weaving machines, a frame loom will allow you to practice the basic processes of weaving and decide if you'd like to invest in a more complicated machine. The weaving itself does take some time, but many people find it relaxing.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pieces of 3/4 " x 1 1/2" x 11" wood
• 2 pieces of 3/4 " x 1 1/2" x 16" wood
• 8 5/16 " x 1 1/2" wooden dowels
• 1 piece of 1/4" x 2" x 12" wood
• Glue
• Drill with 5/16" bit
• Clamp
• Sandpaper
• Mallet or hammer
• Chopstick
• Yarn or thread

Instructions

Build the Frame Loom

1. Clamp a 16" piece of wood over a piece of scrap wood to a table or work bench. Place the other 16" piece parallel to it. Lay the two 11" pieces of wood on top of these two so that they form a rectangle.

2. Drill a hole with a 5/16" bit through the rectangle's corner, down into both of the pieces of wood. Drill another hole diagonal to this one in the same corner.

3. Apply glue to two of the dowels and hammer them into the holes you just drilled. Do the same thing to the other three corners. After the glue dries, sand the dowels so they are even with the wood.

4. Round the edges of the remaining piece of wood, especially on the ends, using sandpaper. You will use this piece to weave, which is called a needle or shed stick. Make sure it does not have any sharp edges that might catch thread.

Warp the Loom

1. Tie one end of a long piece of thread to one of the frame's short sides using a double knot.

2. Pull the thread under the frame on the opposite side, loop it over the top and pull it back towards you. Loop the thread under and over the opposite side again, creating a figure eight. Keep the thread tight but make sure you can lift the wraps easily.

3. Create about 20 of these loops, then tie the thread to the opposite crosspiece.

Weave on the Loom

1. Slide the chopstick into the threads you've looped on the loom, just above where the figure eight crosses.

2. Pull the chopstick to the bottom of the loom, creating tension.

3. Move your weaving yarn through the gap the chopstick has created in the thread. Leave about four inches of yarn on the other side.

4. Weave the shed stick below and above each of the top looped threads.

5. Twist the shed stick to create a new space in the looped threads. Move the ball of yarn through this space in the opposite direction from last time.

6. Pull the shed stick out of the loom, then use a fork to push the yarn towards the bottom of the loom.

7. Pass the yarn ball back through the space you have just created in the thread. Weave the shed stick above and below each strand of yarn, twist it and repeat the process until you run out of yarn.

8. Pull the chopstick out of the loom and push the yarn together with the fork. Cut every alternate wrapped thread where they attach to the loom. Tie each of these pieces to another. Repeat this process for the rest of the wrapped threads. Trim the edge of the weaving so the threads are about 1/2 inch long. Cut any loose threads with scissors.

References

• Hallnet: How to Build a Simple Frame Loom