Cardboard Loom

Materials:

Cardboard
Yarn

Tools:

Scissors
Marker
Ruler
Needle*
*or toothpick, bobby pin, pipe cleaner

Step 1:

Cut a piece of cardboard slightly bigger than the size of your weaving. Mark and cut an even number of notches on the top and bottom edges of the cardboard. Cut the notches at least ¼ inch apart and ½ inch deep. This is your loom.

Step 2:

Knot the end of your yarn. Slip the knotted end through the first notch. Pull your yarn across the front through the opposite bottom notch. Wrap the yarn around the whole loom from notch to notch. Knot and trim your yarn at the end. These vertical strings are the warp.

Step 3:

Thread your needle with some yarn. Weave it over and under the warp strings. The yarn used for weaving is called the weft. Push the weft down as you weave to keep it tight. Continue weaving until your piece is done.

Step 4:

Tip: Hide the ends by weaving them into the sides.

Step 5:

Flip your loom to the back. Cut the warp strings down the middle. Pair and tie your warp strings together until each pair is knotted.

Step 6:

Trim your warp strings or tie them to a stick!

Step 7: Experiment 1

No yarn? Try ribbon, strips of fabric, or paper. What else can you weave with?

Step 8: Experiment 2

What else can you use for a loom? Try tree branches, plastic lids, hoops,etc. Tip: Use an ODD number of warp strings for circular shaped looms.