How to Make and use a Backstrap Loom
Backstrap looms have been used by people in Central and South America for centuries. They are easy to make and easy to use.
Things You'll Need
- 2 30 inch dowels
- ruler
- masking tape
- yarn in at least two colors
- pencil
- heavy string
- scissors
- Heavy poster board 30"x30"
Instructions
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1
Take the string and wind it around each dowel leaving about 12" at each end. It should resemble the stripes going up and down a barber' s pole. Take each dowel and tape it to the top and the bottom of the poster board with Masking tape.
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2
With your first color of yarn loop it through the string loops on the dowels from one dowel to the other and back. Try to keep the yarn as tight as possible. When you get to the end of the dowels, tie off the wool.
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3
From scrap cardboard, cut a strip about 1 foot long and 2 inches wide, and cut a smaller rectangular piece about 5"x3". Wind another color of yarn around the small rectangle. Only using every other string, slide the long strip of cardboard through and then turn it on its side. This piece lifts the threads apart so that you can weave through them.
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4
Tie one end of the yarn that is wrapped around the card to the first piece of yarn that is looped around the dowel. Now you can put the card through the yarn where the strip is hold them apart. Then turn the strip of cardboard flat and bring the yarn back through using the opposite threads.
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5
Once you have done this five or six times, you are ready to take the loom off the cardboard base. Tie one end of the loom to a tree, post or chair and then the other end around your waist. Lean back and continue weaving until you reach the end.
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Tips & Warnings
Different designs are made by adding different colors at the right time.
Draw your own designs on graph paper and use each line as one row of weaving.
