How to Make a Navajo Rug Loom

You can easily build a loom for weaving colorful Navajo-style rugs at home.

As far back as 1000 A.D., according to the Northern Arizona Native American Culture Trail, Navajo people have woven rugs on wooden looms. Although their colorful geometric designs may make these rugs look complicated, you can actually weave them on a loom that you construct right at home from supplies purchased at your local hardware store. Even first-time builders can construct a loom using simple plans.

Things You'll Need

• Two 24-inch 1-by-4 boards
• Two 36-inch 1-by-4 boards
• Two 18-inch 1-by-4 boards
• 20 wood screws, 1½-inch
• Two small angle brackets
• Small bracket screws
• Four 1-inch pipe straps
• Two 1-inch wide, 24-inch long wooden dowels
• Drill
• Saw

Instructions

Assembling the Frame

1. Screw the two 36-inch 1-by-4 boards to each end of one of the 24-inch 1-by-4 boards, so that the boards form the top and two sides of a rectangle. Make the ends of the 24-inch 1-by-4 board sit above the ends of the two 36-inch 1-by-4s. Use three 1½-inch wood screws for each side.

2. Measure the length between the sides of the frame.

3. Cut the other 36-inch 1-by-4 board so that it equals the length you just measured.

4. Measure a distance that is 4 inches from the end of each leg of the frame, and mark it.

5. Fit the cut 36-inch 1-by-4 board into the frame so that it sits on your markers and completes the rectangle. Screw it in, using three 1½-inch long wood screws on each side. You should now have a rectangle with two short legs on one side.

Adding the Supports and Attaching the Pipe Straps and Dowels

1. Attach one 18-inch 1-by-4 board lengthwise to the outside of each leg to form the supports. Screw each 18-inch board so that the outside of each leg hits the center of the support. You should now have about 7 inches of wood on each side of the support. Use four wood screws on each leg (8 screws total), below the frame.

2. Screw a bracket to each inside corner of the rectangle, using small screws.

3. Screw the 1-inch pipe straps to the loom. Place one pipe strap at each side of the two parallel sides of the rectangle.

4. Place a wooden dowel inside the loops of the pipe straps on each side.

Tips & Warnings

• For a cleaner look, saw off the corners of the supports so that they are angled (see Reference 2).

• Substitute 2-inch long bolts with wing nuts to attach the supports for more support.

• Follow the directions as given. Changing the plan can result in a loom that will not work.

• Always use caution when working with tools.

References

• Northern Arizona Native American Culture Trail: Navajo Weaving
• Weaving In Beauty: Build Your Own Loom

Resources

• Anderson's Americana Indian & Western Shows: A History of Navajo Weaving