Backstrap Weaving

1. 3 x 3/4″ dowel rods. A cut down broom or mop handle works well too. These will be your near and far loom bars and roll up stick.

2. Thin dowels. Their length will depend on the width of your warp. You generally need at least 3. Two will be cross sticks. One of these can then be used as a heddle stick. A thicker dowel makes a good shed rod and one thin dowel can be used as the stabilizing rod. Depending on the technique you are weaving, a thin dowel is sometimes required to save picked up warps.

Pencils work well too.

3. A sword for propping open the shed so you can pass the weft. This can also be used as  a beater. A flat stick approximately 2″ wide and beveled along one edge works well. One end should be rounded so it will enter the shed more easily.  A few of these of different lengths will serve various widths of warp. For narrow bands small belt shuttles work well.

4. A shuttle. For narrow bands you can simply wind a butterfly or use an inkle loom belt shuttle. Weft can also be simply wound around a dowel. Shuttles can be cut from sturdy cardboard.

5. A backstrap. Weave your own! While doing so, use a pillow slip or hand towel with cord tied to the ends.

6. Yarn. Preferably mercerized crochet cotton for beginner projects. More about this on another FAQ page.

7. Pieces of cardboard. If you want a fringed end to your woven piece you can insert a piece of cardboard  the length of your desired fringe in the first shed of your weaving which will give you a firm base against which to beat and start weaving.

8. Cord to tie the far loom bar to a fixed point. Non stretchy shoelaces work well.

9. Heddle string. I usually use the same yarn as my warp. Some people prefer to use nylon as it is less abrasive on the warp.

If you wish to have a smooth start to your woven piece rather than a fringe you can create a third selvedge by putting a steel needle in the warp ends and lashing that to your loom bar. For fine yarn  like number 10 crochet cotton I use the finest steel knitting pins (1.25mm). For number 3 crochet cotton I use piano wire or bicycle spokes (pictured above). For narrow warps a tapestry needle works well or even a very large safety pin.