woven hugs | Cupernickel :: a Blog about Handmade Products Inspired by Chile

Among all of the different artisan techniques that I’ve delved into, weaving is the latest one. However, I couldn’t start weaving if we didn’t have the looms, so I went out in look of the looms I needed, only problem was that on the market I could only find small hand looms that didn’t quite make the cut. That’s when I decided to make my very first handmade looms :).

Problem is, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.

My 1st HANDMADE LOOM

First, I had to buy the sticks to make the frame for the handmade looms, and then, get down to cutting and hammering. It took me an entire afternoon to make the ones I’m posting. I haven’t finished yet, but I promise I’ll post some more info (and hopefully my first handmade woven scarf) soon, but for now I’m just going to post the finished handmade looms and one that is lacking the pegs.

These looms weren’t so hard to make, took me about half a morning, even though I did have a little problem after I was done. If you look closely you see what I’m talking about.

I’ve already tried weaving, but haven’t gotten it down yet, once I do I’ll upload the pic.

TWO HANDMADE LOOMS

I used 19x19mm (1×1″) square pine molding for the handmade frame and 1-1/2″ finishing nails for the pegs. The pegs are set 1 cm apart (aprox. 3/4″). If you do this, be careful to pre-drill the holes. As you can see in the picture, the wood started to split because I hadn’t pre-drilled any holes!!

SMALL HANDMADE LOOM 22x22 cm (approximately 8.5in x 8.5in )

I was worried the loom’s structure wouldn’t be strong enough, so I used metallic angles to keep the loom sturdy. The whole construction process was very rustic, but I’m eager to see what woven products I can make with them. Since they are the first looms I’ve built, it was a radical learning process. The holes for the larger loom were pre-drilled so I had no problems with the wood ….. :).

LARGE HANDMADE LOOM 14 x14 cm frame (5.5in x 5.5in)

THE MOTHER OF ALL HANDMADE LOOMS!

This is the “mother of all looms”. It took so much out of me that I was sore the next day, but it’ll be good for making hugs… I hope :)!

It’s made with 1×3″ architecture grade lumber. It’s so big I had to ask my dad and sister to help me move it outside of the house to finish it. I knoooowww …it is huge, but we plan on making scarves with it. Haven’t quite finished it yet, but I’m starting to think I’ll need a whole afternoon just to finish hammering in the nails … geez!