Last week, I showed off some of the swatches I’d done on my vintage pin loom. There was a great response to that post (thank you!) so today I thought I’d go into a little more detail about the process. Weaving on a pin loom is surprisingly quick and very easy. There are several resources out there, and even videos on how to weave with one, as well as websites with projects for what to make with a pin loom. So this is just a quick step-by-step to get you started.
To start, anchor the yarn on the bottom left corner of the loom. I tied a slip knot and anchored it to the first pin on my loom so that it is easy to unravel the knot when I’m ready to weave in the ends.
Working up and down, wrap the yarn over two pegs, skipping the 3rd on the top, and then on the bottom.
Then work back and forth from left to right wrapping over 2 pins and skipping the next across all the pins to make the 2nd layer.
When you get to the end, turn and begin wrapping the yarn up and down the loom again—this time you will skip the first pin and wrap around the next two (instead of wrapping the first two, skipping the third).
At the end of the 3rd layer its time to weave! To estimate how much yarn you’ll need to finish your piece, wrap the yarn tail 5 times around the square of pins (I usually cheat and go 4–4½ times with out a problem but your milage may very). Break the yarn and thread the tail onto a tapestry needle—choose the longest tapestry needle you can find. I also recommend using a bent-tip needle.
The last few rows are tricky to work into but go slow and pay attention to the over/under/over/under.
Before you remove the piece from the loom, its a good idea to weave in the ends.
Ta-da! Each square takes about 15 minutes give or take, depending on the yarn used. This swatch was done with Berroco Remix®.
You can use almost any of our worsted weight, dk weight, or sport weight yarns to weave on a pin loom, and you can combine the squares together to make all kinds of projects. Your only limit is your imagination!
LIKE! LIKE! LIKE! (because one like is not enough)
I was so fascinated by the pin loom that I searched for one on eBay-and I found one! I can’t wait to try it out! Thanks for the inspiration!
Great instructions. Glad you guys are taking on the pinlooms
This is so cool! I need to wrap my brain around how you weave into three layers that are going in two directions…but maybe I just need a bit more coffee 😉
Just give it a try … it makes perfect sense once you’ve done it!
Be prepared, though … it is addictive.
don’t know why i’m finding this so difficult but i am; when weaving are you going over/under the 3 layers? …and do you keep turning the loom as you weave?
Hi Paula,
The first 3 layers have you turn the loom after each layer- then the 4th layer you begin to work over/under through the 3 layers. Its incredibly simple and clever!
wow, look at how dense and organised that looks!
Made a dozen now what do I do with them? Its jyst fun to keep making just one more.
Congratulations on your dozen! Yes, it’s addictive …
With a dozen, you can make … a table runner, coasters, start a shawl, make doll clothes, a pillow cover, …. There’s a great Ravelry group named “Looms to Go”, and there’s also a Facebook group named “Pin Loom Weaving Support Group”. They are both very active and have tons of information and supportive pin loom weavers … hope to see you there!
At age 70, I still have a doll blanket my mother or grandmother made for me on a pin loom! Seeing your blog has inspired me to hunt through the attic to see if I can find the loom and to try yet another textile project!
This sounds like so much fun. I have a lot of Berroco yarn to use. Hope I can find a pin loom.
Does it have to be three layers and can two colors be used?