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weaving
Woven Yarn Coaster
useful
Weave a small square on a notched cardboard loom, then secure the edges with a short fringe. Work with two colours of yarn and keep the rows relaxed. Use the finished piece under a cool glass or as a decorative mat; it is not a heatproof trivet.
- Difficulty
- First timer
- Time to try
- 60 min
- Craft
- weaving
The workbench
Gather your materials.
Materials
- 8 x 8 in sturdy cardboard
- 10 yd smooth cotton yarn for warp
- 20 yd medium yarn for weft
- 12 in paper tape
Tools
- pencil
- ruler
- cardboard scissors
- blunt tapestry needle
- fabric scissors
Skills
- warping
- plain weave
- edge finishing
A first look
Follow the thread.
Mark the loom
On the top and bottom edges of the 8 x 8 inch cardboard, mark 18 points 1/4 inch apart, centred so the notches cover about 4.25 inches and leave at least 1.5 inches at each side. Cut shallow notches at the marks, keeping the cardboard corners intact.
About 10 minWarp the card
Tape the first warp end to the back. Bring the yarn to the front, wrap it around the first top notch, carry it straight down to the matching bottom notch, then return across the back to the next top notch. Continue the full front-and-back wrap through all 18 pairs; keep each pass snug without bending the cardboard, then tape the last end to the back.
About 8 minThread the needle
Cut about 24 inches of weft yarn and thread the blunt needle. Leave a 3 inch tail at the side rather than tying a knot, so the end can be tucked into the finished weaving.
About 5 minBuild the first rows
Begin about 1 3/4 inches below the top edge. Weave over one front warp strand and under the next across all 18 strands. Reverse that order on the next row. Leave a shallow arc of yarn before gently settling each row; pulling straight across can pinch the sides. Leave at least 1.5 inches clear at both ends.
About 15 minChange the colour
When a weft length ends, leave a 3 inch tail. Begin the next length by retracing the last few over-and-under passes, then continue the row. Change colours whenever you like. Keep the sides about 4.25 inches apart and continue until the woven area is roughly square.
About 8 minSecure the warp
Turn the loom over. Lift the back warp strands away from the cardboard and cut only those strands across the middle of the back. Turn it face up and carefully release the yarn from the notches. Tie neighbouring warp ends together in pairs along the top and bottom, making nine small double knots at each edge close to the woven rows.
About 7 minTuck and trim
With the blunt needle, tuck each weft tail through several stitches on the back and trim its excess. Trim only the secured warp fringe to an even length; never cut into the woven rows. Lay the coaster flat and gently adjust the fringe with your fingers.
About 7 min