Make your own small woven coaster using a homemade cardboard loom! This video shows from beginning to end making a miniature weaving with things you already have around your house. Don’t worry if you don’t have a needle, substitute a barrette instead.
SUPPLIES:
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Yarn or any string
- Tape
- Tapestry Needle (*Needle substitutions may include a barrette, hair pin, or something of a similar nature.)
STEP 1:
Trim your piece of cardboard into a rectangle. To create the notches, measure and mark 1 inch from each edge. Draw a line at every ½ inch between your marks. You want the same number of notches on both ends of the loom, ideally an even number. Cut on the marks. The cuts do not need to be perfect!
STEP 2:
String the loom. Tape the string to the back of the loom. Wind the yarn to the first notch, then over the front, to the corresponding bottom first notch. Continue winding around until you have filled all the notches. Cut the tail of the yarn and tape the end to the back of the loom. In weaving terms, this string is called the “warp”.
STEP 3:
Start weaving. Cut a length of yarn (shorter is easier to start with). Tape one end to the back of the loom. Thread the other end through your needle or clip it in your hair clip, and tie a knot to secure it. Use your “needle” to thread the yarn through all the warp strings in an over-under pattern. Go over the first string, under the second, over the third, etc. The string with the needle is called the “weft”. Pull the weft all the way through. Bring the needle back through the loom from the side you just exited using the same over-under pattern. Pull all the yarn through. Be careful not to pull too tight. Push the woven strings together so the rows touch each other.
OPTIONAL STEP 4:
Add other colors or textures of yarn. Tape the ends to the back of the loom before and after weaving each piece of yarn.
STEP 5:
Remove the weaving from the loom. Cut the strings off the back of the loom. Try to cut through the middle of the string so you have equal lengths on each side.
STEP 6:
Tuck in the ends of your weft. Using a needle, thread the yarn ends into the outside edge of the weaving. Trim any excess. Alternatively, double knot the yarn ends and trim any excess.
STEP 7:
Double knot the warp threads together. Here is why you want to start with an even number of notches. If you happen to have an odd number of ends, tie it in with the next 2 threads. Trim the fringe to a desired length.
Grab a mug of tea and you’re ready!
Links:
How to Weave on a Cardboard Loom
Music Credit