To introduce weaving to children all you need is a simple frame.
PHOTO HERE
You can recycle sturdy vegetable containers by cutting notches or you can use picture frames with nails hammered in at even intervals top and bottom.
The instructions here are for weaving on a small frame loom which you can either order from the resources listed or have them made locally as a permanent resource for the school.
ILLUSTRATION HEREOne set of yarn threads are stretched on the loom to form the base of the weaving. These are called warp threads.
For the warp choose a strong yarn that doesn’t break easily. Cotton is ideal, but wool will work as long as it is firmly spun.
To “warp up” the loom:
1)?Find the centre of the loom.
For the first weave warp up 12 threads.
This is a good width for beginners to learn the basic techniques. It also allows them to finish the first piece quite quickly, which is very satisfying and helps to build confidence.
2)?Count six grooves to the left of centre of the loom and tie the yarn firmly round that groove.
3)?Take the yarn down to the bottom of the loom and hook it round the corresponding groove to the next one, then bring the yarn back to the top of the loom and continue until you have 12 threads. Tie the yarn firmly to the top on the l2th groove and the loom is ready to weave.
4)?In the next row weave in a second strip of wood or cardboard, using the opposite sequence of threads, i.e. if you went over the first thread and under the second in the first row, reverse this and go under the first thread and over the second in the second row.
It is important to establish this weaving sequence carefully in the first few rows so that you can see how the pattern develops and there are no mistakes in the beginning.
After a few rows it becomes easier to see which thread goes over and which under.
Once you’ve woven in a base of either sticks or cardboard, it’s time to choose the yarns with which to design your piece.
To form the weaving another set of threads are pulled over one warp, under the next , and so on until the end of the row.
The next row, the threads are pulled so that if they went over the loom thread on the first row, they go under it on the second row and vice versa.
These horizontal threads are called the weft.
By the time three rows are woven, a cloth begins to form. This is called the web.
Patterns formed by changing the colour of the warp or weft threads. Patterns are also formed by changing the over-under sequence, for instance, going under and over two threads instead of one.
This is the basis of all weaving, no matter how complicated the machinery.
It’s important in this first weaving to choose yarns which are at least as thick as Aran wool, especially when working with children.
It’s easier to manipulate the warp threads and to see the sequence of the weave when the yarn is thicker. The piece also grows quite quickly which is encouraging for beginners to see the result.
Weaving on a frame is an excellent way to use leftover yarns.
Ask your pupils or students to ask around and see who knits, crochets or weaves in the family – it’s amazing what they find and what they find out about the people around them in the process.
Look in thrift shops for thickish yarns and ask around yourself in your own family and neighbourhood.
Introducing New Colours
Finish the first colour at the end of a row by weaving a “tail” back through a few warp threads and push it through to the back to be trimmed when the weaving is finished.
Introduce the second colour on the other side. Weave across the row, leaving a “tail”, pushing down the threads so the “tail” is hidden.
Weave the tail on the other side through a few warp threads and push it through to the back to be trimmed later.
Finish the second colour at the end of a row, weave in the tail as described above and start the third colour on the other side.
Continue this way until the weaving is finished.
Leave 5 or 6 inches of warp thread above the weaving to make a fringe when the weaving is cut off the loom.
Incorporating “Found Objects”
Found objects from the beach or nature walks can be woven into the warp in between sections of wool. Driftwood is especially good for this because it weaves in firmly and won’t slip out when the weaving is cut.
Turn the loom so that the cardboard strips are at the top.
Cut carefully along the bottom threads (It’s a good idea to cut groups of three at a time and tie a knot next to the bottom of the weaving to stop the work from unravelling).
Take out the strips and replace them with a piece of driftwood or a stick to hang the weaving.
The fringe can be plaited or just left plain depending on how much time you have. Finish off by twisting or plaiting a few strands of yarn from the colours in the weaving to form a cord to hang the work.
PHOTO HERE