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Art For Kids: Weaving on a tiny Cardboard Loom

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I've been a wee bit obsessed with weaving lately, ever since May when I saw these beautiful pieces made by Rachel Denbow. After seeing cardboard looms all over Pinterest this summer, which totally fueled my fixation, I decided to make some looms myself for my little campers.

This week I had five girls at art camp ranging from ages five to seven (and one 14 year old helper extraordinaire). Since I had never tried weaving with young children, I wasn't sure what would happen, or if they could even handle weaving, but I decided to just give it a try.

Turns out, they LOVE WEAVING! My daughter and I did it with them so it was complete side-by-side, art-making bliss. I love that in the end, you couldn't even tell the difference between my weaving and theirs (I'm only showing you theirs in this post). In fact, I loved theirs even more than mine because they were way more free with their choices and their technique. (Isn't that true for most art making? Those little ones are so unhindered by vision and plans. They just enjoy the process.)
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Here's what you'll need to make your own looms and weavings:

~ A piece of cardboard about 6" x 8", and two strips for the top and bottom.

~ Exacto knife or scissors

~ Ruler

~ Yarn (I buy mine at Michael's, but these little guys are super cute for a project like this)

~ Plastic needle

~ Masking tape & Scotch tape

~ Pom-pom maker (optional)

~ Pony beads (optional)

~ Twigs

How to make the loom:

1. Take your ruler and put it across the top of your piece of cardboard, about 1/2" from the top. Draw a straight line with a pencil. Now measure in 1" and make a hash mark. Continue on and make 12 hash marks about 3/8" apart all across the top. Do the same at the bottom. You can space them out however you would like, but this is just what I did for my looms.

2. Using an exacto knife, or scissors, cut along each hash mark, stopping at the 1/2″ line.

3. Glue on the strips of cardboard so that the top of the strip aligns with the 1/2″ line (strips are about 1/2″ wide).

4. Cut 12 pieces of yarn and thread each notch, making sure to leave a tail of about 3" on the back. Tape these ends to the back with scotch tape. Make sure the threads are fairly tight (but not so tight that it's stretching the yarn). These vertical threads are called the warp. You have your loom!

How to weave:

1. Cut a piece of yarn about 2 feet long. Thread it through the plastic needle and then tie a knot at the top of the needle.

2. Starting with the first warp thread, slide the needle underneath and then up over the next thread, and then back under the third thread, and so on. Use this under-over pattern until you get to the last warp thread. When you get to the end of your first row, pull it through all the way, leaving about a 3" tail. You can tie this tail in a knot around the first warp thread to secure it for the little kids, but after they weave two rows it won't be in danger of coming out anymore.

3. For your next row, go back the other way by doing the opposite over-under pattern as you did for the first row. (If you go under and over in the same way as the first row you will be undoing what you just did. This mistake does happen with the littles so make sure to check on them before they begin each row in the beginning, Eventually they get the hang of it).

4. Once you have a few rows, use your fingers to push up the weft yarn so that it's snug. Be careful not to pull too hard on the weft yarns after each pass through because your weaving will start to cinch in at the middle. Of course, this did happen to all of us, but I thought I should warn you anyway! First time weaving mistakes.

5. When you are done with your first color yarn, or if you decide you want to switch colors, simply end it with about a 3" tail remaining. It might start to look sloppy with lots of tails hanging out all over, but don't worry ~ all of them will be taped to the back at the end.

6. Start the next colors in the same way you started the first, leaving a tail of about 3".

7. When you get to the end, just cut off the yarn that you are working with. Not to sound too redundant...but don't forget to leave that tail. 🙂

Taking your weaving off of the loom:

1. When you are finished, undo the scotch tape in the back and carefully pull off the warp threads. I didn't take any pictures of this process for some mysterious reason, but it's fairly straightforward...it's just that you have to be careful because the weft threads could come off easily.

2. When your entire weaving has been pulled off of the loom, tie all of the warp threads together at the ends. Tie 1 & 2 together, 3 & 4 together, and so on. You should have six knots at the top and bottom. Double knots.

3. At this point, it's time to deal with the tails coming out of the sides. The reason to leave the tails on the longish side is so that you can thread them through the needle, and then gently weave them through the back a few times before trimming them. If you don't want to take this extra step, you could just tape the tails to the back with masking tape.

4. Also use masking tape to tape down the top and bottom warp threads to the back of your weaving. (If you don't want a messy looking back, you can also weave the bits back through instead.)

Finishing your weaving:

1. Technically, you are now done with your weaving. Hooray! But if you want to embellish with pom-poms and beads, and hang it on a twig, then read on. Just a note: The kids didn't do any of the finishings, except for the pom-poms. I did all of the taping, beading (kids picked out their colors) and attaching it to the twig. They watched as I did it all, but it was too finicky for their little hands.

2. We made our pom-poms with a pom-pom maker (I highly recommend these things...they are good for life!). But you can also do it the old fashioned way: around your fingers. Here is a good tutorial for that way. Don't forget to leave a longish tail with the piece of yarn that you use to tie the pom-pom. You will thread this tail through the needle and then attach it to your weaving by going through the bottom (front to back) and then taping it on the back. You can add beads to your pom-pom before you attach it to your weaving.

3. To attach the weaving to the twig, cut a piece of yarn, about a foot long, and string it through the needle. Starting on one end, loop the threaded needle through the top of the weaving and around the twig, wrapping the twig all the way until the end. Tie knots on either end, then trim and use masking tape to tape the ends to the back.

4. Lastly, to attach the hanger, simply cut a piece of yarn about 18" long (this will be trimmed, but better too long than too short), and fold it over. Loop the folded end around one side of the twig and make a knot. If you want to add beads, now is the time. To finish off the other side just tie it around the twig in a double knot and trim.

I know there are like a million steps, but the steps for the kids are pretty simple and fun. It's the making of the loom and the finishing that involves some busy work on the part of the adult. I personally LOVE busy work...and I'm betting that if you've read this far, you do too.

Here are some other versions that we did without pom-poms and using popsicle sticks. I didn't have time to collect twigs for this group and we didn't have time for pom-poms, but they are still so cute!!

One thing I forgot to mention is that this project is a great way to introduce some new vocabulary for the kids. They learned warp & weft, and they learned about woven fabric vs. knit. We talked about how so many things in their world are woven: the shorts they are wearing, their sheets and pillows, towels, tablecloths. It was such an eye opener and so fun to see all of this new knowledge sink in.

I hope you try weaving, it really is so cool.

xo, Bar

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Did you like this post? Here are some more weaving ideas to try:

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I've been a wee bit obsessed with weaving lately, ever since May when I saw these beautiful pieces made by Rachel Denbow. After seeing cardboard looms all over Pinterest this summer, which totally fueled my fixation, I decided to make some looms myself for my little campers.

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OK, who would have thought you could use straws to weave!? Seriously, straw weaving is such a cool concept! The straws make it quick and easy to weave a fun bracelet, necklace or hairband. And all you need is yarn, straws and tape!

This is such a great craft for older kids and tweens. My 7 and 9 year old daughters really enjoy it... although, they're still a little young to do it completely on their own. They need a little bit of my help to get things set up and to tie off the ends. But with such a simple over, under, over, under pattern, they do a really great job with the weaving part!

When you've mastered the basic technique using three straws, you can try the exact same method making wider bracelets using 4, 5 or even 6 straws. You can keep on weaving to make your creation as long (or as short) as you like!

I really love the yarn we used for these bracelets! Most multi-coloured yarns have longer sections of colour, so you'd only get 2 or maybe 3 colour changes in your bracelet. But with this yarn, the colours changed every few inches, so it really made an awesome looking rainbow bracelet!

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn in the colour "Psychedelic". I bought mine at Michaels, but here's an affiliate link to the same yarn on Amazon: Bernat Psychedelic

Check out our video for straw weaving instructions:

Watch our video for how to finger knit as well. It's even easier than straw weaving because all you need are your hands!

How to Finger Knit | Finger Knitting Instructions

Straw Weaving Instructions

Here's a list of what you'll need. The affiliate links below will take you to products on Amazon that are similar to the supplies we used for straw weaving:

I used regular plastic drinking straws that I bought at the grocery store once upon a time, but you could also use paper straws. These are just regular sized drinking straws. Exactly the same size as you'd get at a fast food restaurant. Just try to avoid using the type of straws that bend.

I used cotton yarn by Bernat, mostly because that was the only brand I could find with awesome rainbow colours (the link to the exact yarn I used is in the list above). You can definitely use any type of yarn, as long as it fits through your straws.

Tape the ends of 3 straws together so that they are side by side, just like in the photo below.

Cut three pieces of yarn, about 3 times the length of your straws. Then thread one piece of yarn through each of the straws.

Helpful Tip: Having trouble threading the yarn through the straws? Use a wooden skewer or knitting needle to push the yarn through each straw. If you don't have skewers, you can place the tip of the yarn at one end of the straw, and suck (carefully!) on the other end of the straw to pull it through.

Tie the ends of the three pieces of yarn into a knot. Leave a little extra yarn after your knot - about 2 to 3 inches - so you can tie them into a bracelet at the end. (Leave MORE yarn at the knotted end than what I show in the photo.)

Tape the straws to the table using masking tape or painters tape. The painters tape wasn't as secure as I would have liked, so I'll use masking tape next time. But either works.

Using another piece of yarn (from the ball of yarn), tie a knot around the top straw.

Then you can start weaving!

Take your yarn under the middle straw, then over the bottom straw.

Then go under the bottom straw, over the middle straw, then under the top straw.

Then repeat the pattern: Go over the top straw, under the middle straw, then over the bottom straw.

Keep weaving following this pattern:

Under and around the bottom straw, over the middle straw, under the top straw.

Over and around the top straw, under the middle straw, over the bottom straw.

Repeat.

Every 3 to 4 lines, push your yarn towards the tape and pull the yarn to make sure all the loops are snug.

Keep following the over, under, over, under weaving pattern until you're happy with the length of your bracelet.

Cut the yarn, then tie it in a single knot around whichever straw you finished weaving on. Don't double knot it yet. You just want it to stay in place while you pull it off the straws.

Remove the tape holding the straws to the table. Then remove the tape holding the straws together.

Then carefully slide the woven loops off the straw. Push them off towards the end of the three pieces of yarn that were knotted together before you started weaving.

Find the end of the yarn where you finished weaving, and tie it in another knot around the yarn it was woven around. This time you can tighten the double knot to keep it in place.

You should have 4 pieces of yarn at the end where you finished. Tie them into a knot, as close to the woven bracelet as you can.

If your weaving got a little messy while you were sliding it off the straws, lay it flat on the table, and reshape any areas that might need it.

Tie the ends together and slide the bracelet onto your wrist and you're done! Isn't the rainbow pattern awesome!?

There's just something so relaxing and rewarding about weaving, and slowly watching your creation grow and turn into something!

Straw weaving is such a fun craft idea! It's a great summer craft for camps and an awesome craft for kids or tweens. You can weave bracelets, necklaces, headbands and even belts. Wouldn't they make awesome friendship bracelets!? This method of weaving is easy to learn and it's lots of fun!

For an even easier method of weaving, check out our instructions for finger knitting. It's super easy since all you need are your hands!

Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!

You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books- A- Million | Indiebound | Indigo | Amazon Canada

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Straw Weaving Instructions | How to Weave with Drinking Straws and Yarn

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OK, who would have thought you could use straws to weave!? Seriously, straw weaving is such a cool concept! The straws make it quick and easy to weave a fun bracelet, necklace or hairband. And all you need is yarn, straws and tape! This is such a great craft for older kids and tweens.

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Jason Isbell, Tour Poster for the Tivoli Theatre

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Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Preserved 2016
Hand woven shizen, yatsuo, and gampi papers
Approximately 6.5" x 5.5" x 3"

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Fleeting 2016
Hand woven yatsuo and gampi papers, hand woven thread
Approximately 11" x 10" x 2"

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Weaving Study III 2015
Hand woven shizen, yatsuo, and gampi papers
Approximately 6.5" x 6" x 2.5"

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Weaving Study II 2015
Hand woven shizen, yatsuo, and gampi papers
Approximately 7" x 8" x 2"

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Weaving Study I 2015
Hand woven kitakata, yatsuo, and gampi papers
Approximately 28" x 27" x 6"

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Dissipating Vowels 2015
Hand cut yatsuo and gampi papers
Approximately 27" x 21" x 2"

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Three Phases of Rilke's Lace II 2015
Hand cut shizen and gampi papers
Approximately 40" x 48" x 3"

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Three Phases of Rilke's Lace I 2015
Hand cut shizen paper
Approximately 36" x 43.5" x 4"

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

Photo by Etienne Frossard

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Photo by Etienne Frossard Photo by Etienne Frossard Photo by Etienne Frossard Photo by Etienne Frossard Preserved 2016 Hand woven shizen, yatsuo, and gampi papers Approximately 6.5" x 5.5" x 3" Photo by Etienne Frossard Fleeting 2016 Hand woven yatsuo and gampi papers, hand woven thread Approximately 11" x 10"

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Lala is a visionary artist who combines the traditional practices of weaving, photography and painting into optically immersive compositions.

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The Artist of Jays Mandalas are now Ojos-De-Dios: Asheville Mandala Weavers. We are the Artists: Jay Mohler, Sami Herbert, Elizabeth Tingly, and Inga Savage. Taught by Master Jay himself we now are presenting them to you as an honored craft of weaving. These Mandalas are made with yarn and dowels to a highly regarded art form.

Our vision is to give this art form visibility in the community both where we live in Asheville, North Carolina and around the world. Our goal is to keep Jay's work alive by continuing to create his most popular pieces for those who would love to have their own, as well as expressing our own individual creativity.

Our work is currently for sale on Etsy and in shops around Asheville, North Carolina.

We each have our own style and unique voice in this work. We are committed to the highest quality work and guarantee it 100%. We work meticulously to create art that will last a lifetime.

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Ojos De Dios (formerly Jays Mandalas) Woven Healing Art by OjosDeDiosShop

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You searched for: OjosDeDiosShop! Discover the unique items that OjosDeDiosShop creates. At Etsy, we pride ourselves on our global community of sellers. Each Etsy seller helps contribute to a global marketplace of creative goods. By supporting OjosDeDiosShop, you're supporting a small business, and, in turn, Etsy!

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Different yarn colors were combine to created this unique woven wall art. The fringes was placed on the design to add more character.

Details:

* Handwoven
* 12" W x 23"L Inches
* 100 % Acrylic Yarn

Learn more about this item

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Handmade Wall Hanging , Woven Wall Art, Wall Art, Handwoven, Colors, Gift, Boho Style, Bohemian, Interior Decoration,

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Different yarn colors were combine to created this unique woven wall art. The fringes was placed on the design to add more character. Details: * Handwoven * 12" W x 23"L Inches * 100 % Acrylic Yarn Learn more about this item

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Contemporary geometric abstract textural paitnings created by weaving painted canvas together into modern abstract lanscapges of monochromatic color schemes.

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Our Rio Grande weaving tradition is closely linked with Northern New Mexico's history. Although New Mexico has spent much of its history in relative isolation, trade and political changes have wrought major changes in culture and, by extension, weaving production. These styles, Rio Grande, Saltillo, Vallero, and Chimayo, all have beginnings in different periods, representing their time and place in the history of the Southwest. Read More...

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Centinela Traditional Arts is a tapestry gallery located in Chimayo, New Mexico, specializing in hand woven tapestry wool products using natural dyes, custom-dyed yarns, handspun yarns, and the traditional Chimayo and Rio Grande weaving styles. The weaving gallery is run by Irvin and Lisa Trujillo, who are award-winning weavers whose work has been shown in museums worldwide, including the Smithsonians.

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DIY: Make Japanese Star Mandala in Beautiful Flowery Colors * K4 Craft

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Handmade Mandala are both fashionable and also act as a talisman against evil if you believe it. In this tutorial, [...]

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