How to Weave on a Loom

There are a lot of steps in weaving. First you have to tie on the warp threads to your loom and tension all those threads. Once that is done you can settle down to actually weaving. Actually weaving may seem to be challenge at first but it's the most simple part of the process. Now that you have the basics down, the loom warped, start on your first weaving project.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Make sure that your loom is properly warped and tension is placed on the threads of the warp. This is the first step in getting started weaving. Having proper tension in the warp will ensure that the pattern in your project is even.

2. Create a shed in the warp. The shed is the space created by separating the warp threads and creating a space to weave in. This can be done in a rigid heddle loom by lifting the shaft and in jack or counterbalance looms by lifting one of the shafts by pressing on the treadle.

3. Place a strip of toilet paper in the shed and beat down toilet paper with the reed. This is done by pulling the reed of the loom forward to press the paper up against the edge of the warp threads. This will start getting the warp threads even so that you can begin weaving. When the warp threads are first on the loom, they are crunched together because of the way that they are tied on the loom. This process of creating a shed, placing toilet paper and beating the paper down will make the warp threads become evenly spaced from each other.

4. Make another shed with a new set of threads and beat in more toilet paper. This means lifting up a different section of the threads with a different shaft. Repeat these steps until the warp threads are evenly spaced.

5. Once you have the warp threads even spaced, you can begin weaving your patterns. Create the first shed and attach the yarn you are weaving with to one of the edges of the warp.

6. Run your yarn, wound either in a ball or on a shuttle, through the shed. You want to allow enough yarn for when you beat the weft so you have the yarn go through the shed at a 45 degree angle. Gently pull the yarn so only a small amount of give is at opposite side.

7. Gently beat in the weft. This is done by pulling the reed of the loom forward until the weft yarn is straight and pressed against the last row on toilet paper. Release the shed. You now have the first row of weaving.

8. Create a shed with a new set of threads. For a rigid heddle loom this means pull in the shaft in the opposite direction to pull different threads up to weave. For a jack or counterbalance loom this means pressing a different treadle to raise a new shaft and a different set of heddles.

9. Slide the yarn through the shed. Again, gently pull the yarn at a 45 degree angle and leave only a small amount of give on the opposite side of the weaving then beat the yarn in with the reed and release the shed.

10. Repeat this process of lifting a shaft to create the shed, running the weft thread though the shed, and beating the thread in until you have finished your weaving project.

Tips & Warnings

• You can either follow a pattern for your weaving or just make one up as you go. The easiest pattern to do for a first time weaver is to alternate two shafts. Lift up the first group of threads on shaft one,weave, lift up the second group of threads of shaft two, and weave.
• While you're weaving if two threads end up in the same shed, you have two options. You can pull out the lash weft thread and choose another shaft to lift to create a different shed. You can also use the same shaft twice, or more, times to create a block of threads. Simply wrap the weft thread around the first warp thread on the side the weft is on to hold the weft.