A simple loom can be made at home from cardboard. Do not use a piece of cardboard bigger than 8x10 inches because it will become "unwieldy" (Young, 1972, p.173). Now cut notches in the top and bottom of the cardboard; these notches should be from a quarter of and inch to half an inch apart. The closer the notches are the tighter the weave will be (Young, 1972). Remember to use a ruler to make sure the notches on both ends match up correctly.
Now make a knot in the end of the yarn and "slide it into the upper left hand notch" (Young, 1972, p.174). Next wind the yarn into the bottom notch, around the back, and back up to the next top notch, and continue with this until all of the notches are full; this is called the warp.
Now thread a knitting needle or ruler through the strands going under and over each strand of the warp. Wrap your weaving yarn around a small piece of cardboard and slide it through the space left by the ruler. Remember to leave at least 3 inches of yarn outside of your warp; this will be woven into the piece later (Young, 1972). Now using a second knitting needle or ruler pick up the opposite threads from your first ruler. Slide your yarn through this spot and use the ruler to push those threads up so they are tight and even together. Continue alternating rulers until your piece is complete. When you have completed the weaving of the piece simple tie the final piece to one of the cords your have been weaving through. To secure the entire project remove the strands two at a time from the cardboard and tie the two strands together in a knot. This will make sure none of your weaving comes undone.
This simple craft is rewarding, and it can be done with scraps of yarn and cardboard that would normally be thrown away. So now that you have the basics you can become a weaving master!
References:
Young, J. (1972). Woodstock craftsman manual. New York, NY: Praeger
Publishers.
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