Introduction: Innertube Loop Creations

About: Hello, i'am Hans, living in the south east of the netherlands. And i like to making al sort of things with leather, firehose, innertube, braiding stuf and many more. Normaly i work with used materials to give …

In this tutorial I am going to explain the opportunities of the loops cutting from innertube. The variations of different weavings, on a flat and 3D way!
When you know how this weaving is done, you can create a lot of things for all kind of decorations. Lets get started.

Step 1: The Basics of Weaving With Innertube Loops.

There are a lot of possibilities to make a netstructure with innertube loops. You don’t have to use innertubes, each material which can cut to loops and has enough flexibility is usefull for weaving. Such as cutting loops from a fire hose, elastic bands, loombands, milk cartons, toiletpaperroll, kitchenpaper roll, hair elastic band, rubber wristbands etc. A lot of materials you can use for this weaving technic, as long it is flexible and strong enough for youre project.

For all the loops you use, it is importent that the ratio between width and lenght has to be 1 : 4 !
So it doesn’t mater how long the loops are, in the gap of the loop has to fit 4 loops without any effort . ( see picture)
The links you make are 3 way or 4 way pinwheels.

Tools and material
- cutting mat
- metal ruler
- sharp knife
- crochet needle ( not really neccesary)
- innertube
And a little bit of patience!

Step 2: The 3 Way Pinwheel

When you follow the pictures, you can see how the chains are made. From a 3 way pinwheel to a 6 side figure, with on each side again a linking loop.
These 6 sided rounds lays always flat.
The ball is build with 5 sided rounds. Starting with a 5 side round. On this round you make 5 other rounds. Put the golfball inside the half figure. Make another 5 rounds, they form together the last hole. The last link of the ball, you can’t close on the normal way. You have to cut the loop at the end en sew it with black yarn.
When you want to make a basket, then first build a flat mat. If it is big enough you can ad some corners to go in height. These corners are not the 6 sided figures, but i use a 5 sided figure. ( see pictures). 6 sided figures makes a flat surface, 5 sided figures makes a rouding or corner!
When you look at a soccerball, how it is build with pentagons and hexagons, you get inspired for more ideas.
To close this 3 way pinwheel chapter, i made some variations on this technic, also 3 way pin wheel. The first one is 6 sided figures connected to each other. The second picture also but with a little differance, take a good look how it is linked together!







Step 3: The 4 Way Pinwheel

Another way of connecting the loops to a bigger project, is to weave 4 pinwheel parts together. When you look at the pictures you see how it is done and how you make the corners for your project.
Another variation on this 4 way weaving is in the last pictures. A little bit different from what i said before but also very useble for al kinds of things. The doormat from fire hose i made in this technic. Secure the loopings with a small piece of innertube or in this picture fire hose.
Have fun with it and look around you, to inspire yourself to make surprising projects!