How to Weave a Horse Blanket

Woven horse blankets can be made using one color or multiple colors.

Weaving a horse blanket can be an economical and beautiful alternative to buying a pricey custom blanket. With handmade blankets starting at about $400, creating your own can not only save you some money, but it can also give you the flexibility to weave a blanket that fits your equine friend just right. And with a handmade horse blanket in your favorite colors and design, you just might have the best-looking blanket in the stable.

Things You'll Need

• Thick wool warp yarn
• Thinner wool weft yarn
• Loom, 40 inches or more wide
• Wide-toothed comb
• Blunt tapestry needle

Instructions

1. 

   Wool yarn is made from the coat of a sheep.

   Choose one or two colors for this simple blanket. Warp and weft yarns may be the same color, or you may choose two different but complementary colors.

2. 

   The warp threads are the vertical threads tied onto the wooden frame.

   Tie your warp yarn, which is the thicker one, lengthwise on the loom. Tie each end to the frame of the loom so that the tension is taut but not tight. Space your warp threads evenly with four or five threads per inch. For a 35-inch-wide blanket, which is sufficient for most horses, you should string on enough warp threads to reach a width of 35 to 40 inches.

3. Tie the weft yarn onto the side of the frame near, but not at the bottom of the loom. The weft is the thinner yarn, as it does not bear the same amount of tension as the warp.

4. 

   White, pink and green weft threads are used to make the stripes in this weaving.

   Begin weaving by moving the weft yarn over and under each warp thread. When you get to the end of a row, double back by weaving the opposite way. For example, if you went over a warp thread the first time, weave under it when you double back. Use the wide-toothed comb to push the weft threads together for a tighter weave.

5. Continue weaving until your blanket is approximately 35 inches long, depending on the length of the horse and saddle.

6. 

   The blanket can be used under a horse saddle.

   Remove the blanket from the loom by cutting every other warp thread and tying these together. Continue until all warp threads are cut and tied, and nothing holds the blanket to the loom. Snip the warp ends to just a few inches. Using a blunt tapestry needle, weave these threads back into the blanket so they cannot be seen.

Tips & Warnings

• Weaving a horse blanket is similar to weaving a rug.

• Spreading out your warp threads will allow more of the weft to show on the blanket. Adjust the spacing closer if you want more warp to show.

• For a variation, try using different-colored weft to create stripes. Remember that only the ends of the blanket will show under the saddle, so limit your stripes to the ends of the blanket.

• If you aren't ready to tackle something as large as a horse blanket, try weaving something smaller, like a place mat or washcloth.

• Use only natural yarn, like wool, for your blanket, as synthetic fibers may irritate the horse.

• Be careful not to tangle the warp strings when tying them onto the loom frame.

• Tie the warp threads as soon as you cut them, so you do not lose your warp.

References

• The Textile Guide: Textile Terms and Phrases
• Fabrics: Wool
• Handweavers Guild of America: Which Loom Should I Buy?
• Color Matters: Color Theory