Have you noticed that weaving is one of this summer's fun craft activities? We did, and wanted to share how to do this fun craft with you! Weaving can be just as relaxing as knitting and crochet; it is also a great way to use up your scrap yarn. Supplies:Cardboard sized to your liking (my loom is 9 ½ inches x 13 inches)Plain yarn for warp (the yarn you wrap the loom with)Lots of yarn for the weft (the yarn you weave into the loom)ScissorsRulerPencilTapeYarn needle or crochet hookHanging stick (I used a spare knitting needle that had lost its mate) The first step to weaving is picking out what yarns you're going to use- I started with a big pile of blue and jade colored yarns. I knew I wasn't going to use all of these, but it's fun to have a lot of options! You also have to make your loom- I used a piece of cardboard that is 9 ½ inches x 13 inches. Using your ruler, measure from the top of the cardboard (the short side), making at least 3 marks along this side. Then connect these marks, creating a straight line; this will let you know how far down to cut for the notches. To measure for the notches, I left about on each side, and measured across, marking every with a pencil. Take your scissors (or craft knife, be careful either way!) and cut every mark down to the line you drew across the top. I cut 17 notches in my cardboard. The next step is warping (wrapping) the loom. The warp is the yarn wrapped vertically on the loom. I picked Super Saver Charcoal. To warp your piece of cardboard, leave a long tail (8-10 inches). Insert your yarn in the top right notch and tape it down (1). This will keep the yarn in place as you continue. Bring the yarn down, to the bottom right notch, and push the yarn into the notch, wrap around the back, into the next notch on the top, and down to the bottom again (2) Continue doing this until you get to the last notch, and tape down the end like you did at the beginning (3). Don't pull the warp too tight, you should be able to lift it easily (4). 1. 2. 3. 4. Now it's time to get weaving! I knew I didn't want to weave my entire loom top to bottom, so I put a piece of tape across the cardboard to give myself a straight line to work from. Remember those construction paper placemats you made in kindergarten? That's exactly what we're about to do with our yarn- over, under, over under. Cut a few yards of yarn and wind it into a loose ball (I started with Royal Super Saver) (1), and begin weaving (2) on the right side, leaving a 4-6 inch tail at the edge. When you start the next row, be sure you loop around the last warp yarn (3). When you reach the right side again (4), gently push the yarn down to the first row. I switched back and forth between weaving with my hands, and using a crochet hook to pull the yarn through, do what works best for you. 1. 2. 3. 4. As you continue to weave, be careful that you're not pulling too tightly as you reach the ends. The photo below is what you want to avoid, your warp yarn should always stay straight up and down, not pulled in. I kept weaving with the Royal until there was about an inch of fabric on my loom. Then I decided it was time for some fringe tassels. For each tassel, I cut 4 pieces of Midnight, about 12 inches long, gathered them together and folded the group in half, positioning the center over 2 strands of warp yarn. I tucked the ends around these two strands to create the knote for the tassel. Follow the image below to do the same. Gently pull the ends down towards the bottom of the loom, pulling snug, but not too tight, remember to keep your warp yarn straight. Continue making the tassels along this row of weaving, if you want more than one layer of fringe (which I did), start the next row moving from left to right on the loom on the strands marked with arrows below, so the knots start to overlap each other. Don't worry about how neat the ends look, we'll trim them up at the end. You can skip the tassels if you don't like that- or keep weaving with your plain yarn longer, so the fringe ends up in the middle, or wait until you get to the end, and they'll be on top. I kept weaving with plain yarns, making some stripes here and there. Every time you switch yarns, remember to leave yourself a long tail, and to keep your weaving pattern going (over, under, etc.). I really like the way multi colored yarns look when they're woven, don't you? (PHOTO) Ruffle yarns like Boutique Ribbons are fun to use too, I love the texture they create! When you get close to the top of your loom, it's time to stop. Cut the warp along the back of the loom, cutting 2 pieces of yarn at a time and tie a knot, be sure not to squish your weaving as you tighten this knot. Continue across the top, knotting all the warp yarns together, then do the same to the bottom.*Note: I trimmed my warp yarn too short, cut towards the mi Addle of the loom so you have more room to tie your knots.* Finishing your weaving: With your yarn needle weave in the ends towards the back. If you made tassels, trim your fringe to neaten it up, if you'd like. Next, tie the top of your weaving to the stick or dowel (The US 8 knitting needle I used had lost its mate- and the color even matched!). The last step is to hang your piece of art up in your home or office, and enjoy! Yarns usedE400 With Love: 1562 Jadeite, 1502 Iced AquaE300 Super Saver: 385 Royal, 3950 Charcoal, 3944 MacawE786 Boutique Midnight: 1940 VistaE790 Boutique Ribbons: 1944 LagunaE819 Boutique Swanky: 9853 Midnight BlueE821 Heads Up: 852 Navy
