"Weave It" Loom
Would you like to make one of these interesting hand looms? It
is easy! Besides, you can create them in almost any size you would
like to. I have a number of patterns (links below) you can use below,
or you can create the size for almost any rectangular pattern you would
like.
Create your own
Some pre-drawn patterns
Making your loom
How to use
Putting together your squares
Create your own
To create your own loom, decide on the center to center of the pegs first.
I used 0.2 inch and have found that this makes a nice but not too tight
weave. Analyze the pattern, especially the corners. Determine
the approximate size of square/rectangle you wish. In a drawing program
(Paint Shop Pro works real well) of your choice, start at a corner and
create a set of dots equally spaced of the approximate width you wish.
You can go back and delete those that do not have pegs latter. Cross
off those that should not be there and find out where the corner is on
your diagram ensuring that you are matching the corner patter of the diagram.
Continue in a like manner for the other three sides double checking your
pattern.
Print your diagram at 100% (no reduction, no fit to paper). The
print should be what you want at this point. Keep on working on your
pattern till it is what you want.
Some pre-drawn patterns
Below are some patterns I have created and built. If you find them
useful, please use them.
4 inch by 4 inch pattern
4 inch by 8 inch pattern
4 inch by 12 inch pattern
4 inch by 16 inch pattern
4 inch by 20 inch pattern
Making your loom
What I used was 1x2 inch oak strips. These should be available at
your local home supply house (Home Depot, Lowes, etc). I made my
looms by putting the pegs in the 3/4 inch side of the wood. That
way, the overall size of my loom was 3/4 inch larger in both directions
than the size of the pattern. This puts the pegs in the center of
the 3/4 inch side of the wood. You can do it any way you want, but
I have tried each way and find that it is easier construct this way (and
my wife has found it easier to use). You will need to cut four pieces
of wood, two of a length 3/4 inch larger than one side of your pattern
and the other two of a length 3/4 inch smaller than the othe side of your
pattern.
Example: If you have a 4 inch by 4 inch pattern, you will need
2 pieces 4.75 inches long and 2 pieces 3.25 inches long.
(example picture)
Glue and screws the joints such that you end up so that the peg pattern
you have when placed on your wood loom are at the enter of all sides.
Clamp the assembly until the glue has cured. When the joint is solid,
you need to sandeyour parts and finish them in the manner you want.
At this point, predrill the holes for the pegs. I used a small Dremell
drill drill-press with a 1/16 inch bit. For pegs, I used 1.5 inch
finishing nails. Put the nails in the predrilled holes and pound
them so that they are level. Straighten any that need to be.
Wa La!! You have your first loom!
How to use
For a detailed explaination on how to use this loom, please see the article
in the Spring 1996 issue of Spin Off on pages 44 and 45. The next
issue (Summer 1996) on page 117 has an errata. Make sure you follow
the diagrams in the errata. Spin Off is published by Interweave.
Putting together your squares
You can use any number of decorative stiches to connect the squares. I
like a crochet joining. When you "full" the item, it will pull
together nicely.
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Last change: 6/1/2003
