Learning to Weave!

For some reason, some of our kiddos have been adamant about learning how to weave. They dug out the weaving looms and loops that were buried in our MakerSpace and began working on potholders (remember those?) several weeks ago. So I decided it was time for a weaving class, which lasted two weeks because (as they figured out) weaving takes time.

While the potholder makers finished their projects, everyone else worked on other types of projects and looms.

This is one of our potholder weavers. She is in the process of removing it from the loom, which involves an overlapping chain-type stitch around the outside edges. Very tricky as you get to the last row! These kids persevered and all went home with potholders for their moms.




Another choice was this narrow cardboard loom. We learned how to attach the warp and weave the weft through the warp threads without pulling too tightly. We used a variety of weft yarns and twines to create an interesting wall hanging with lots of textures and visually interesting elements.




We were careful to select colors that went well with other colors in the weaving. 

The boys as well as the girls enjoyed weaving after they got the hang of it.





This young man's piece is full of earth tones as well as natural textures and elements. As with all of these projects, it was removed from the cardboard loom and  transferred to a piece of wood, which added another natural element to the piece.







This weaver carefully planned her design, ensuring that colors, patterns, and textures were repeated throughout the weaving. She chose cool blues and lavenders but added just a few bright warm colors to add spark and interest to her overall design. 





(In case you're curious, the forks are used as weaving "combs" to push each row of weft evenly upward into the previous weaving, which hides the warp.)

Then she added beads and feathers to the fringe, as shown below.

The weaving below was also carefully planned to create a distinct pattern of analogous colors and textures.

These little samplers, which are done on the narrow loom, could be completed in just one class period with very nice results.

These wearable weavings are created on very small cardboard looms. The weaving is not removed from the loom. 




Instead, the loom is decorated and becomes part of the piece. 

It can then be worn as a necklace or hung anywhere! You can see more details about how we make wearable woven art right here.