Many hobbyist are attracted to the art of weaving. However, the expensive price of a 4-harness loom may be outside your budget limit. That's not even taking into account the amount of space needed to house such a large machine. Thankfully, there are several off loom options that you can explore. In this article, you will learn how to weave off loom and use your knowledge as inspiration for small projects such as bookmarks, mats and purses.

This how to will not cover off loom techniques in depth. Instead, it will demonstrate the basics of weaving with each method. The samples presented should only take 15 to 30 minutes to create. Three of the most popular off loom options, tablet weaving, Native American Finger weaving and cardboard weaving, will be described below.

• Supplies:
• (8) 48 inch lengths of black worsted weight yarn
• (12) 48 inch lengths of white worsted weight yarn
• (1) 24 inch length of black worsted weight yarn
• Scissors
• (5) playing cards
• Belt
• Marker
• Hole Punch
• Hard ruler

Step 1: Create Your Tablets

1. Take a card and make it square.
2. Punch a hole in each four corners of the card. Keep a 1/4 inch perimeter free around edges.
3. Starting at the top left corner, use your marker to label it A then label the top right corner B.
4. Follow this up by marking the bottom right corner C and the last hole D.
5. Repeat the above steps for the remaining four cards. Keep the holes lined up.

Step 2: Thread Your Tablets

1. Gather all your lengths of yarn together and tie an overhand knot. Do not include the 24 inch piece of yarn.
2. Wear your belt and attach the knotted yarn to it to secure one end.
3. Now, take 4 of the black threads into your hand and move the others aside for a moment.
4. Pick up a card. Hold it so that side AD faces towards you and side BC faces away.
5. Thread the black yarns through the holes on this card (one thread for each hole) from left to right.
6. Repeat the above steps for the remaining four cards. But, place white yarns in cards two, three and four. The last card should have all black threads.

Step 3: Weave a Sample

1. Once all cards are threaded, tie the ends into a knot and secure it to a door knob, piece of heavy furniture or clip it to your couch with safety pins. The point it to place it away from you so that you can use your body to maintain the tension.
2. Side AC should point up to the ceiling which creates a shed for the weft to go through.
3. With the yarns held taut, pass the 24 inch piece of yarn through the shed and leave a three inch tail.
4. Make one quarter turn with the whole stack of cards then pack down the threads by slipping your ruler into the shed and pulling towards your body.
5. Carry the weft back through.
6. Repeat turning the cards and passing the weft until you reach the length you wish.
7. Once you are done, cut the warp threads leaving a three inch tail.

More on Tablet Weaving

Supplies:

(3) 48 inch lengths of black worsted weight yarn

(3) 48 inch lengths of white worsted weight yarn

(3) 48 inch lengths of red worsted weight yarn

Dowel

Safety pin

Scissors

Step 1: Setup the Yarns

1. Take all your lengths of yarn and tie an overhand knot with them.
2. Pin this knot to your jeans or the couch to secure it.
3. Loop each thread around the dowel starting with the black then the red. End with the white threads.

Step 2: Weaving the Sample

1. Lay the first black thread to the side. This will be your first weft.
2. Next, you will create a shed in the remaining yarn with your left index finger.
3. Alternate moving your finger under and over the threads.
4. Pass the first thread (weft) through the shed you created.
5. Now the first thread you just passed is the last thread.
6. Repeat these steps until you reach the desired length.
7. Tie off the ends and leave a three inch tail.

More on Native American Finger Weaving

Supplies:

Piece of sturdy cardboard

(1) 48 inch length of black worsted weight yarn

Ball of black cotton yarn or thin twine

Fork

Scissors

Tape

Pencil

Ruler

Step 1: Thread the Cardboard

1. Using pencil and ruler, make 1/4 inch long marks a 1/4 inch apart across your piece of cardboard. Do the top and bottom.
2. Using your thinner thread, squeeze the end in the first slit at the bottom but leave a three inch tail and tape it down.
3. Carry the yarn up to the corresponding top slit.
4. Hold the thread behind the board then bring it forward through the second top slit.
5. Continue threading across the board and leave a three inch tail on the back. Secure it to the board with tape.

Step 2: Weave a Sample Tapestry

1. Use the 48 inch yarn and thread it in an over then under pattern across the threads.
2. Once you reach the last thread, go back the opposite way but this time under then over.
3. Pack down the wefts tight against each other with your fork.
4. Repeat these steps until your sample runs out.
5. Cut the warp from the cardboard tying the threads off in pairs.

More on Cardboard Looms

1. Terms: Weft is the horizontal threads. Warp is the vertical threads. Shed is the opening in the warp that the weft goes through.

2. Recycle Time! Old pizza box tops make great cardboard looms.

3. You can replicate almost any tribal weaving technique on the cardboard loom. Search out the following structures: tapestry, soumak, brocading, weft substitution, warp substitution, twining and slit tapestry. For more information: Basic Tribal and Village Weaves

4. On the cardboard loom, you can control the loom sett by moving the slits closer are farther apart.

5. If you want a structure with closed sides like a purse, carry your thread all the way around the cardboard wrapping around the back. During the weaving process, you would carry your weft from the front to the back of the board in a continuous circle.