How to Wrap a Bead Loom

Wrapping a bead loom is a first step to creating flat accessories such as bracelets, necklaces, chokers and belts. Once you've wrapped a loom, follow a pattern to weave intricate beaded tapestries or create your own designs.

Things You'll Need

• Waxed silk or nylon beading thread
• Scissors
• Bead loom

Instructions

1. The threads you use to wrap a bead loom are called warp threads, or simply warps. To wrap the loom, you need one more warp thread than the number of rows in the width of your pattern. Cut the number of threads required, at lengths of about 3 yards each. Choose threads similar in color to the beads you will use in your pattern.

2. Gather the warp threads together so their ends line up evenly. Tie a knot at one end of the threads. Place the knot under the screw in one of the rotating wooden dowels, or loom rollers.

3. Thread the warps within the slots on your loom, so that each warp thread has a separate slot. Pull the threads into their corresponding slots on this other side, so that they run parallel along the length of the loom. Turn the knotted loom roller until just enough threads remain to tie a knot at the other end. Knot this end and place the resulting loop around the screw on the opposite loom roller. Twist this second roller to tighten the warps. Your loom is ready to weave.

References

• "Beautiful Beads"; Alexandra Kidd; 1994

Resources

• Bead Loom Basics