How to Make a Looper Loom
Looper looms, also known as potholder looms, were first created in the 1930s. They were developed to use "loopers," the cut off loops of material that were the waste product of the hosiery industry. As socks and hosiery are made, the pieces of sock tubing that are cut off are normally waste. However, these loopers can be woven together and made into a variety of items, most popularly potholders. This fun and easy craft is suitable for crafters of every age.
Things You'll Need
- 30 inches of 1/2-by-1-inch lumber
- Drill with 1/4-inch bit
- 78 inches of 1/4-inch dowel
- Wood glue
- Tape measure
- Pencil
Instructions
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1
Cut and mark the pieces for the looper loom base. You can make your looper loom any size. However, a common size is a 7-inch-square loom. To make a 7-inch loom, cut two 8-inch lengths and two 7-inch lengths of 1/2-by-1-inch lumber. Use the tape measure to mark 1 inch from each end of the 8-inch base pieces, on the 1/2-inch face of the wood. Mark every 1/2-inch from the pencil mark, for a total of 13 marks, ending 1 inch from the opposite end of these two base pieces.Use the tape measure to mark 1/2-inch from each end of the 7-inch base pieces, on the 1/2-inch face of the wood. Mark every 1/2 inch from the pencil mark for a total of 13 marks, ending 1/2 inch from the opposite end.
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2
Drill peg holes and secure the base. Use the drill with a 1/4-inch bit to drill at each mark on the wood. Drill to approximately a 1/2-inch depth. Build the loom base by placing the two 7-inch base pieces between the 8-inch lengths to form a square. Glue the four pieces together and let them dry overnight.
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Create loom pegs for your looper loom. Cut 52 pieces of dowel, each 1 1/2-inches long. Glue each peg into place. Let the glue dry completely before using your loom to weave with your loopers.
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Tips & Warnings
You can make a larger loom to create larger woven squares. Simply make sure the shorter two pieces are shorter by twice the width of the wood to ensure your loom is square.
When gluing the base pieces together, you can use a clamp to help keep the pieces tightly together while they dry.
Connect your woven squares together to make even larger projects.
Wear eye protection when drilling wood.
Do not drill too far into the wood when drilling the peg holes.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
