Hello!
Today I found a fun little craft idea on Pinterest and it has been taking up my whole day! What is it? How to weave. Seriously? Yes, seriously.
Okay, it may sound really boring but believe me! It is most definitely not! Time consuming? Slightly. Repetitive? Quite. Relaxing? VERY.
So whether you are sick in bed, looking for your next craft idea or just have way too much time on your hands, you should enjoy this little DIY project ;)
....................................................................................................
Step 1: Make your cardboard loom and mark it.
First of all, cut a rectangle out of the cardboard. I made mine 5x10 inches,
but yours can be as big or small as you would like.
Once you have the rectangle, mark a little line on the bottom edge,
3/4 of an inch away from the side (on both sides). Then make a mark 1/2 an inch
away from the first and continue making marks every 1/2 inch until you reach the mark
on the far side. Do this on both ends of your rectangle.
(It should look something like this ↓)
....................................................................................................
Step 2: Make the notches
Use your scissors to make little notches wherever there is a mark.
Do this on both ends of the rectangle.
(It should look something like this ↓)
Step 3: The last step for making your loom
Flip your piece of cardboard over and tape the end of your string
about halfway down on the left side. String it through the notch the farthest to
the left at the top, then the one beneath it. Stringing it through all the notches until you reach the
last one. Cut the string and tape the end to the middle of the right side of your loom.
(it should look something like this at the back ↓)
(and something like this at the front ↓)
.....................................................................................................
Step 4: Start weaving!
First of all, cut a piece of yarn about 40 inches long and thread your needle with it.
Then pass it under the first string, over the second and so on until you reach the end.
Pull on the string until the tail on the right side is about 5 or six inches long.
Now pass the needle over the the first string, under the second and so on until you reach the end.
Continue switching between under over under.... and over under over.....
whenever you reach the end of the loom. Keep weaving until you are almost out of yarn or
are satisfied with the amount you have woven. When you're satisfied, push the woven section up with your fingers so that it's nice and tight. Cut the yard and make sure you leave a 5 or 6 inch tail.
(it should look something like this ↓)
................................................................................................................
Step 5: Rya/ "carpet"
(to begin a new row of weaving, just repeat step 4)
Rya just adds a different texture to your weaving project. It isn't necessary
or recommended by me (I think it looks kinda weird :P) But I thought I would show you how,
so that you can decide if you like it or not.
Cut several 4 inch long pieces of yarn in the desired color. Place on of the pieces in a U shape
over the first and second strings of your loom and tuck the ends under
(see picture below ↓). Pull on the ends to tighten.
(it should look something like this ↓)
Repeat on the 3rd and 4th pieces of string, the 5th and 6th and the 7th and 8th.
For the second row, skip the first string and wrap the yarn under
the 2nd and 3rd pieces. Repeat on the 4th and 5th pieces of string and so on
until you finish the second row.
Continue alternating rows until you are satisfied with the size of
your Rya section. When you're ready to go back to weaving, just repeat
step 3, alternating colors whenever you like.
You can also weave in pieces of ribbon, braided yarn, string, twine
or anything else you wish!
................................................................................................................
Step 6: Weave in the ends
You are probably wondering what you're going to do with the ugly
5 or 6 inch strands left hanging on the sides of your weaving project!
Simply use your needle to thread them into the section that they are attached to.
Next take the two first top strings and tie them together into a double knot.
Do this with the next three pairs of strings at the top. This will keep your
weaving from unravelling.
Take the two strings that are on the ends and tie them together
(if you wish to hang it up)
Tuck the remaining strings behind
(it should look something like this ↓)
Next, snip the bottom strings. If your last section is woven you don't
need to tie the ends together but if it's Rya or an embellishment
(braid, ribbon strip etc.) , you will need to tie them so it doesn't fall out.
Your finished product should look something like this ↓
(It should look something like this ↓)
Step 2: Make the notches
Use your scissors to make little notches wherever there is a mark.
Do this on both ends of the rectangle.
(It should look something like this ↓)
.........................................................................................
Step 3: The last step for making your loom
Flip your piece of cardboard over and tape the end of your string
about halfway down on the left side. String it through the notch the farthest to
the left at the top, then the one beneath it. Stringing it through all the notches until you reach the
last one. Cut the string and tape the end to the middle of the right side of your loom.
(it should look something like this at the back ↓)
(and something like this at the front ↓)
Step 4: Start weaving!
First of all, cut a piece of yarn about 40 inches long and thread your needle with it.
Then pass it under the first string, over the second and so on until you reach the end.
Pull on the string until the tail on the right side is about 5 or six inches long.
Now pass the needle over the the first string, under the second and so on until you reach the end.
Continue switching between under over under.... and over under over.....
whenever you reach the end of the loom. Keep weaving until you are almost out of yarn or
are satisfied with the amount you have woven. When you're satisfied, push the woven section up with your fingers so that it's nice and tight. Cut the yard and make sure you leave a 5 or 6 inch tail.
(it should look something like this ↓)
Step 5: Rya/ "carpet"
(to begin a new row of weaving, just repeat step 4)
Rya just adds a different texture to your weaving project. It isn't necessary
or recommended by me (I think it looks kinda weird :P) But I thought I would show you how,
so that you can decide if you like it or not.
Cut several 4 inch long pieces of yarn in the desired color. Place on of the pieces in a U shape
over the first and second strings of your loom and tuck the ends under
(see picture below ↓). Pull on the ends to tighten.
(it should look something like this ↓)
Repeat on the 3rd and 4th pieces of string, the 5th and 6th and the 7th and 8th.
For the second row, skip the first string and wrap the yarn under
the 2nd and 3rd pieces. Repeat on the 4th and 5th pieces of string and so on
until you finish the second row.
Continue alternating rows until you are satisfied with the size of
your Rya section. When you're ready to go back to weaving, just repeat
step 3, alternating colors whenever you like.
You can also weave in pieces of ribbon, braided yarn, string, twine
or anything else you wish!
................................................................................................................
Step 6: Weave in the ends
You are probably wondering what you're going to do with the ugly
5 or 6 inch strands left hanging on the sides of your weaving project!
Simply use your needle to thread them into the section that they are attached to.
(It should look something like this ↓)
........................................................................................
Step 7: Trim the carpet ;)
If you made a Rya section, trim it a little so that it is about 1 inch tall.
You can leave it long if you prefer but I personally like it trimmed ;)
...................................................................................................................
Step 8: Finishing off!
Turn your loom over and remove the tape. Cut through all the strings
in the middle.
(it should look something like this ↓)
Next take the two first top strings and tie them together into a double knot.
Do this with the next three pairs of strings at the top. This will keep your
weaving from unravelling.
Take the two strings that are on the ends and tie them together
(if you wish to hang it up)
Tuck the remaining strings behind
(it should look something like this ↓)
Next, snip the bottom strings. If your last section is woven you don't
need to tie the ends together but if it's Rya or an embellishment
(braid, ribbon strip etc.) , you will need to tie them so it doesn't fall out.
Your finished product should look something like this ↓
.............................................................................................
Thanks for reading through this EXTREMELY long tutorial! I hope you enjoyed it ;)
If you try this project out, please send me a picture of your woven creation to:
Hope to hear from you, and happy crafting!
hugs
~Maiya~
This is amazing ! Do you know how to finger knit ? Ahhh... I am going to try this I think !
ReplyDelete2-3oftheway.blogspot.co.uk
Eb x
Thanks! I don't know how to finger knit but I've been meaning to learn ;) I do know how to crochet though! I hope you try weaving out! It's lots of fun :D
DeleteYour blog is super cute!
hugs
~Maiya~
Engaging activity :)
ReplyDelete