Get Started In Weaving

With your loom at the ready, you’ll only need a few other accessories and your choice of yarns before you can get started.

Looms: Your loom will determine how big your weave can be. The bigger the loom, the bigger your weaving can become.

Thread:  When selecting a warp thread, you want to make sure it is strong and doesn't stretch. Cotton threads are ideal for this.

Yarn: Choose a mix of textures and weights of yarn to create an interesting weave.

Master simple techniques to get the very most out of every yarn. Follow our simple guides to start creating beautiful wall hangings and more.

Tabby Technique: Tabby Weave is the most common technique used in weaving. With your chosen yarn start to wrap it around the shuttle. The shuttle is used to carry the yarn through the warp threads.

1. Take your shuttle and start by going under one warp thread and over the next (including the metal rod with the last two warp threads) Continue this pattern of under and over until you reach the end of the warp threads.

2. Use the comb provided to ensure the yarn is in a straight line.

3. Take your shuttle and now work back the opposite way. If you went under then over on the first line, reverse it and go over then under each warp thread on the second line.

4. Take the comb and “beat” down the second line of yarn so it is level with the first line.

5. Repeat this process of going under and over each warp thread and reversing each time.

This technique will create a braid on your weave adding lots of texture.

1. Cut a long length of yarn roughly double the length you want the braid to be. Using a chunky yarn like Knitcraft Hug It Out will allow the braid to be more pronounced.

2. Feed the length of yarn over the first three warp threads starting on the left side of the loom. We will be working in a loop pattern.

3. Take the piece of yarn under the first three warp threads we started on, and the next three empty warp threads and bring up through the gap. You should now have the yarn looped round the first three warp threads and the yarn coming up on the right-hand side of three empty warp threads.

4. Wrap the yarn from right to left over the three empty warp threads and back through to the back. Skip three warp threads and bring it back up again to the front of the weave. Once again you should now have the yarn coming up on the right-hand side of three empty warp threads.

5. Repeat this process of wrapping the yarn from right to left over the three empty warp threads and back through to the back then skipping three warp threads and bringing it back up again to the front of the weave.

6. Once you reach the end of the weave start to work backwards on yourself. So instead of wrapping the yarn from right to left, we will wrap it from left to right.

Rya knots is a very popular technique in weaving and is most commonly used to add fringes to your pieces.

1. Cut several pieces of yarn all the same length – Top Tip: Remember the length of your fringe will be half of the length of yarn that you cut.

2. Take a few strands of the yarn you cut, approx. 4-8 pieces depending on the thickness of the fringe you desire.

3. Fold the strands in half and hold at the centre. Place the folded strands over two warp threads. It is easier to start from either side and work across.

4. Bring the right side of the strands over the right warp thread and through the centre of the two, and the left side of the strands over the left warp thread and through the middle

5. Pull tight.

How to Make a Soumak Colour Pop Weave

Once you have got to grips with basic weaving you can explore new techniques to create this amazing wall art.

How to Weave Using a Round Loom

By using yarn from your stash you can create an amazing wall hanging using a round weave technique.

How to Loom Knit Ear Warmers

Make this quick and easy ear warmer headband in just an afternoon!

How to Weave with a Frame Loom

Learn how to weave with a frame loom as textile artist Hannah Crocombe shows you just how easy it is.

Q - What yarns are best to use?

The amazing thing about weaving is you can use any yarn you fancy. I like to use a cotton or acrylic yarn for the fringe, then chunkier and textured yarns throughout the body of the weave. One tip I like to do is use a variegated yarn in the body of the weave as it ends up self-striping, this allows you to add lots of colour without the need for sewing in all the ends!

Q - How do you keep your weaving edges straight?

Practice makes perfect! As you advance with weaving you will learn the tension you need to keep the edges straight. The small Rico loom comes with two metal rods which can be placed on each end warp thread and weaved into your work to keep the tension correct. They then are removed when you have finished your piece. This is a great tool for helping beginners learn the best tension.

Q - What do you need to start weaving? What are the necessary tools?

Firstly you will need a loom. The looms that Hobby Craft sell come with most of the tools you will need to create your own weave. A comb is used to beat down the yarn once it is woven through. Another tool that will make your weaving journey easier is a shuttle. This is a long piece of wood with two notches either end, this allows you to wrap your yarn around in order to make it easier to pass through the warp threads. You will also need some warp thread, I use a fine cotton crochet thread as I find it works best. Lastly you will need your materials for the weave, any yarns, ribbons, rope, or roving you want to use. This is where you can get creative!

Q - Are there different types of looms?

Yes, there are several different types of looms! The loom that is shown in my Weaving Guide is a lap loom, the simplest loom to weave with. Other looms include Floor looms which can be used to make big weaves such as rugs and tablecloths and Rigid Heddle Looms which often have the feature to warp long weaves that can be used as scarves.