These mini weaving looms are made using an upcycled match box and they’re so much fun! Although tiny they are surprisingly quite sturdy. You’ll just need the inside portion of a match box and cotton thread to warp the loom. There are a couple basic techniques for warping a loom but this is the one I like best. Warping across the entire back of the loom allows you to have longer ends to weave into the rest of the weaving later to hide them. You can also just leave the weaving on the loom if you’d like! I opted to not create a shuttle for this loom to hold the threads because the loom is so small.

Materials:

– match boxes
– warp thread, or other thick thread
– yarn for weaving
– blunt large eyed needle
– fork

Instructions to make mini matchbox looms

Step 1: How to create the loom

Use a pencil to mark out where your notches will go on each end of the inner matchbox. Make sure that you have an even number of notches (you’ll need to tie the strings off in pairs at the end) and that the notches are cut at even intervals. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut a notch at each of your marks.

Step 2: How to warp a loom

Begin warping your loom with your warp string starting at one end, securing the string in each notch as you go until you reach the opposite side. I like to warp across the back of the loom, which allows you longer ends to weave into the rest of the weaving later. Place a match under the warp thread to add tension.

Step 3: How to use your loom

Thread a blunt needle with your yarn. Weave the yarn through the loom, alternating over and under each string. Make sure that you leave a small tail of yarn at the beginning (you’ll weave this end into the rest of the weaving later). Use a fork to push the yarn down every so many rows.

Step 4: How to finish your weaving

To remove your weaving from the loom, first cut across the center warp threads along the backside. Remove the threads from the notches in pairs, tying them off with a double knot. Once you’ve tied off all of the threads, use the needle eye end of the needle to weave the threads down into the weaving to hide them. Do the same with both yarn tails at the beginning and end of your weaving.

Here’s what the weaving looks like when all of the ends are woven in and trimmed. You can also leave the weaving on the loom to display it. The matchbox looms are reusable, so just warp them again to create new weavings.

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A post shared by Ashley Koshimizu (@woodlark)