New Pin Loom Weaving book is on the way

When I finished writing Pin Loom Weaving; 40 Projects for Tiny Hand Looms, I turned to my husband and friends and said, "That's it, never again." After all, I had just written down pretty much everything I knew about pin looms and I found out that writing a book is more difficult and way less fun than weaving.

Two things happened shortly after I made that statement,
1) I had a bunch of ideas about how to make pin loom animals and
2) I began to think about a cool new ways to weave. So for the past year I have been working on two plans. Regarding the animal patterns, you should soon be seeing more pin loom animal patterns online- starting with the free rabbit pattern.  And I have been writing a book with lots of new pin loom patterns using a variety of approaches to pin loom weaving. FYI, it turns out that writing a book the second time is just as difficult and frustrating as the first time.

You can be sure that I will proudly let everyone know when the new pin loom weaving book date gets closer. Right now it looks like it will be available in March, 2017. In the meantime I wanted to give you a look at some of the ideas that have gone into the book.

Pin Loom Weaving on a Potholder Loom

I have always wondered if it wouldn't be possible to pin loom weave on a potholder loom, considering that the potholder loom also has pins all the way around. But I was never happy with having to use loops and finish it off with a crochet type edge. So there are a series of patterns in the new book that are woven, with a finished selvage, on a potholder loom.

The effect is more open and loose than using a 4" loom like the Zoom Loom. The potholder loom works very nicely for scarves and shawls. It also makes it possible to weave large pin loom squares with much heavier yarns. The scarf below is woven from Isaac Mizrahi super bulky yarn, which makes it a colorful choice for Minnesota winter wear.

So keep an eye out for more animal patterns, its taking a while but they will be available soon, and I will be posting more information on the new pin loom weaving book as the publication date gets closer.

New pin loom patterns and publications

If you're interested in lively conversation with other people who are passionate about pin looms, consider checking out the Facebook Pin Loom Weaving Support Group.  This is a closed group, which means that you have to ask to get in, but if you care about pin looms you will be welcomed.

Right now there is a weave-along exploring an incredible variety of designs specifically intended for our little 4" looms as well as a helpful, supportive environment for pin loom weavers new and old. Of course, if you are signed up with the group, you already know this is true.

There are new people signing up every day. It is so much fun to see everyone's excitement and the unique skills and perspectives that each weaver brings to pin loom weaving.

More exciting news! 

There's a brand new offering by Interweave coming out very soon. It covers weaving projects on a number of small looms including the Zoom Loom.

This is a link to the information on Easy Weaving with Little Looms.

Its getting intense, there are a crazy number of people flocking to Zoom Looms and other small looms.

Pin looms love Crispina Ffrench blankets

I am posting these images primarily as a feast for the eyes. These are all Crispina Ffrench designed blankets, made from upcycled, felted wool sweaters. Don't forget to visit her website at crispina.com. 

Considering that most of the people who look at this blog have lovely little looms, capable of producing perfect 4" or 2" squares of cloth, an alternate method of celebrating these lovely patterns comes to mind.  It looks likes Ms. Ffrench has used 3" squares of felted cloth... which might work perfectly if one were to weave in wool and then felt the 4" squares. Beautiful.

2016 Pin Loom Workshops

I am lining up a number of workshops for this summer and fall. Please check on the 2016 Pin Loom Workshops page for the dates and locations. I am still working on the list and there are a few late-in-the-year fiber fairs still pending so you may want to check back in the future. I hope you find something that interests you!


We will be doing 2-D and 3 -D projects as shown here.

Classes at Convergence

This is the year of Convergence, happening this summer from July 30 to August 6, 2016, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am going to be teaching three courses on pin loom weaving! Yes, I am very excited.

I am doing an introductory course for people who have not woven on pin looms at all. I am doing two courses for pin loom fans that will be all about weaving and constructing objects that can be completed during the class: sheep, owls, and cats.  Check out all the details on the Pin Loom Classes page. 

Click this link for the main Convergence page to go to the official website for registration. Because Convergence only happens every two years, class openings can go fast, so check it out. 

We will be weaving an Owl and Pussycat with plans for a Pea-Green Boat.

You can weave a pasture full of sheep. You can weave a sample sheep for each sample fleece!

Crispina ffrench weaves with a REALLY BIG Pin Loom

As pin loom addicts, I mean fans, many of us began our weaving journey as kids, playing with that most humble of hand looms, the potholder loom.  I have long considered the potholder loom to be a great potential pin loom and recently discovered a way to pin loom weave on it (but that's another story).

What I never considered asking myself was "What would a potholder loom be like if it was really, really large?"

Luckily for all of us, Crispina ffrench has asked and answered this question, sharing a vision of potholder loomed rugs made from upcycled materials and marvelous design. Crispina introduces herself as a  recycled textile artist, author, teacher – creator of many things. She shares her work and inspiration at Crispina.com.

Tired of using teensy little pin looms? Go to the EVENTS page to find out about Crispina's planned workshops including an opportunity to make your own potholder rug.

Here is a closeup of a potholder rung under construction. I would be interested to learn what they use to beat in the space between the weft rows, maybe they're just using their fingers.

As brilliant as these random colored weaves are, I was especially drawn to to the rugs that emphasize one color. What fun to think about searching out all of the gold or red cast off clothing one can find!

Many thanks to Crispina for sharing her vision. 

The Mystery of the Hanging Thread

This is a question from a new pin loom weaver.

Hello. I have searched the web for this annoying problem that I have with my 4 In. square loom. I just started weaving these lovely squares but I am doing something wrong because when I pop them off, they all have one side where the yarn is loose, almost looks like a picture hanger wire at the edge. What am I doing wrong? Thanks for any help.

I am so glad that you have written about this. This is a common problem for all or most new pin loom weavers (it happened to me a lot and I have a feeling that there are other people out there nodding, too). What is happening is that you are not completing the weaving, you are leaving either the first row or the last row of weaving (probably the last) unsecured. I have actually managed to leave a loop at each end-- yes, I missed weaving both the first and last rows.

The problem is that it can be difficult to figure out exactly where to start weaving and the last row in particular is very easy to miss. 

Below are some pictures that I copied from the Schacht Zoom Loom weaving instructions to illustrate the issue. Start weaving in the same corner as the #2, you will be inserting the needle between the first and second pin. For the last line of weaving, you are inserting your needle into a small triangle. This last line is often pretty tight and may take some patience to weave. This is a great place to use your fork as a beater to move the lines of weaving down and give yourself more space to see and weave this last line.

 I hope this helps. But please don't be discouraged, you have just taken the second step into pin loom weaving.