Create Your Own Rug: DIY Weaving Loom Basics

Humans once clothed themselves and made their bedding out of animal skins and hides. Around 5000 B.C.E. humans discovered knotting or lacing together pieces of fiber would result in fabric. This discovery gave way to twisting, tying, and finger-weaving as a way to make fabric. During the Neolithic period, looms were invented by humans looking to make sturdier cloth. The warp-weighted loom was the first successful loom. Primitive versions of this type of loom have been found in a variety of places worldwide. Using a loom is a shared human experience throughout history. During the Industrial Revolution, fabric making moved out of homes into factories as motorized looms took over the vast majority of fabric production. However, some people continued to use looms and make their own fabric. Today, weaving is a popular craft. Hobbyist weavers particularly enjoy making handmade rugs. Although weaving can look intimidating, it's actually quite easy to make a simple loom and learn the basics of the fabric production.

• Beginner's Guide to Weaving - A loom is the structure used to provide support and tension to the weaver as they work. There are different types of looms. This guide focuses on lap looms.

• How to Begin Weaving on a Little Loom - A simple frame loom is an excellent first loom for new weavers, since it is easy to use and inexpensive to make or buy.

• Understanding Weaving: What Are Looms? - There are many different kinds of looms. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses and produces different types of woven cloth.

• Beginner's Guide to Weaving: How to Use a Weaving Loom - Once someone understands the basics of using a loom, they are able to make decorative items such as wall hangings and rugs.

• Everything You Need to Get Into Weaving, According to Artists - These 21 things are necessary to start weaving successfully.

• How to Weave Using a Loom - A small handloom is easy enough for beginners and even children to use.

• The Best Tabletop Looms for All Skill Levels - Small table looms are perfect for making items like napkins, while larger table looms can be used to make items as large as rugs or tablecloths.

• How to Make a DIY Weaving Loom for Less than $20 - It's possible to make a standing loom for very little money that can be used for a variety of projects!

• Learning the Loom - The videos embedded in this tutorial help make concepts like warping easier to understand for beginners.

• Learn to Love the Loom When You Try the Ancient Art of Weaving - One thing all weavers understand is warp and weft. Warp refers to the vertical threads the loom holds in place. The weft is the thread that is woven under and above the warp to create the cloth and design.

• DIY Cardboard Weaving Loom - Upcycle an old box to make this free, simple loom that beginners can use to learn the basics of the craft.

• Basic Functions of the Weaving Loom - Filling insertion, shedding, beat-up, and warp control are the basic functions of all different types of looms.

• Loom Weaving Tutorial: 6 Weaving Patterns for Beginners - These patterns are perfect for beginners looking to learn how to weave.

• Introduction to Tapestry Looms and Tapestry Weaving - Silk, linen, and cotton are just some of the fibers that can be used to weave cloth or tapestries on a loom.

• Weaving: Types, Techniques, and Looms - There are many different techniques weavers use to make cloth or rugs on a loom.

• Types of Fabric Weaving Looms - There are two major types of looms. Those with shuttles and those without.

• Weaving Class: The Basics - The end result of this tutorial is a woven wall hanging.

• How to Weave? Weaving for Beginners in 5 Steps (with Pictures and Videos) - The over-under method of weaving is the simplest and easiest to learn.

• How to Weave at Home - These instructions, aimed at beginning weavers, start with directions for how to make a simple loom.

• Learn to Weave at Home! - Those not ready to make a big financial investment in weaving can follow these instructions, which make tools from things like popsicle sticks.

• Got Rags? Weave a Rug - Rugs are great textile projects to make by weaving, and this rag rug is a wonderful first project.

• Weave a Boho T-shirt Rag Rug With Easy DIY Loom - Here is a project where everything (from the loom to the fabric used in weaving) is upcycled.

• Geeking Out: Rugs - Rugs have been made on looms for centuries.

• DIY Woven Rug with Cardboard and Fork - New weavers can make a simple rug using yarn and a fork!

• The Best Looms For Rug Weaving - A frame loom works well for most weavers working on making a rug.