Project Weaving

Sometimes you just get something in your head and have to "exorcise" it. About a month ago, I read a mystery book that just happened to take place at a fiber gathering.  In case you are interested, the book is Murder Comes Unravelled - A Flock and Fiber Mystery by Veryl Ann Grace.  The woman obviously knew her stuff about weaving and spinning, because the book passed that passion on quite well.  
I had noticed a class on Craftsy, Rigid Heddle Weaving, and I have looked at it several times.  I then did some online shopping for various looms.  The simple fact is that I can't afford one at this time.
The class looks excellent.  When I can get a loom, I will be sure to take this class.

So I did some research to see if I could make a simple weaving loom.  I found several articles about making a simple box loom.  I took a cardboard box and cut off the flaps.  I then marked the narrow ends every half inch and cut slits to hold the yarn.   Here is the box strung with my warp yarn strung.

 You will notice that there is a loop of excess at each end. These will be used to "tie off" the project when it is finished.
I also used one of the box flaps to make a shuttle so that the weft yarn will pass through easily. Trying to weave a ball of yarn over and under would be a nightmare - or at least a major challenge.
Here is my shuttle wound with yarn.

Another issue is that the sides of the box would impede progress.  I didn't want to damage the integrity of the box so I just cut a small section out of each side to ease the process.

Notice that I left a half inch or so in the corners to maintain the strength of the box.

Now I am ready to start weaving!

It is a simple over and under process. See how that "tab" at the end of the shuttle acts to lead the rest of the shuttle and yarn through the warp threads?  That was a lucky bit on my part. I am glad I did one on each end.
And here is a picture showing more of my progress on this.

I am "combing" the weft threads together with my fingers.  I also read that it is important not to pull the weft tight as it will distort your project.  Looking at this picture I may be getting just a bit tight.

Now, if anyone has a loom they want to get rid of -contact me and let's see if we can work something out.  I probably don't want anything larger than a 24" loom, or smaller than a 16" loom.  But I will consider anything!  Ha ha.
Now, back to my weaving project!


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