Weaving Resources

The finished dimension of any handwoven depends on so many things – your loom width, fiber, the weaving structure and, perhaps most importantly, the ultimate use and your personal preference! As weavers, we can, within reason, create exactly the size we need based on what it will be used for. If you are thinking about weaving some floor coverings, these standard commercial dimensions are a terrific place to start. 

Loom maintenance can go a long way in preventing mistakes, supporting equipment longevity, and ensuring that your most important tool is running smoothly (which in turn means that weaving is smooth and fun, too!). In this article, Amanda shares a short checklist of things she likes to do every few months to care for her loom. 

Deflection in weaving happens when (intentional) floats curve around areas of plain weave, and doubleweave is the weaving of two layers of fabric simultaneously. Combining the curves of deflection and the layers of doubleweave creates deflected doubleweave, a common technique in shaft-loom weaving. But with two heddles and, in some cases, two pick-up sticks, the humble rigid heddle loom can also create this stunning structure.     

There are few things that elicit a heart-stopping gasp more than the realization that the handwoven item you are wearing has just snagged on something. For years I tried to save my hand work from the zippers, drawer pulls, and puppy paws, but I've learned a few repair tricks that keep my weavings wearable through it all.

Choosing the right shuttle when starting your next weaving project can make or break your experience — and sometimes affect your selvedges too! In this article, I’ll be sharing some of the things I consider when choosing what shuttle to use as well as explaining the differences between stick shuttles, boat shuttles, and more.

So you’ve woven a lovely new wearable piece with a luxury yarn, such as Ode Alpaca, Sero Silk Noil, or a nice wool such as Array, but you’re nervous about wearing caring for it. Fear not, dear weaver! This post will walk you through caring for each of these fibers so you can wear with confidence.

Cotton is often one of the first fibers that new weavers use—and the first one intermediate and advanced weavers reach for too! That’s because of the many wonderful qualities of cotton: it’s easy to weave, stretchy, soft, and takes dye wonderfully. Since introducing Beam 3/2 Organic Cotton in 2021, weavers new and experienced have been enjoying learning and growing their skills with this American-grown cotton weaving yarn.

So you found a pattern you love, but don't have the exact yarn it calls for. Can you substitute a stash yarn or something other than what the designer specified? The answer, like so many in weaving, is it depends. This post will walk you through the process using the Running Stitch Napkins pattern.

Rag rugs are comprised of two different parts: a yarn warp, and a rag weft. At their most basic, a rag rug is woven in plain weave, making them easy to try on your rigid heddle loom. But you don’t have to stick to plain weave—many of the prettiest rag rugs we've seen use twills or other structures. Learn the ins and outs of weaving your own rag rugs with insight from Amanda's own practice.

When it comes to purchasing a new loom, the types of looms, names, and sizes available can make the decision challenging. When people ask what type of weaving loom to buy, I generally start with one all-important question: what do you want to make?

Hemstitching on the loom is a simple and easy process that results in a clean, neatly finished cloth. If you’ve ever felt stressed about your projects unravelling or if you don’t have a sewing machine or serger to finish edges, hemstitching secures your raw edge into tidy little groups while it's still on the loom.