How to Weave on a Cardboard Loom Tutorial

Tutorial: How to Weave on a Cardboard Loom
First things first! – what is a loom?
A loom is a tool used for weaving fabric. It holds threads in two directions: vertical warp and horizontal weft, which interlock to create the cloth.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS required
• A piece of thick cardboard (about 15 cm x 12 cm, or your desired size – You are the boss!)
• Scissors
• Yarn or string (in fun colours!)
• Glue and tape
• Ruler
• Pen or pencil
• 2 x 1.5cm wide strips of cardboard
• Plastic needle (optional)

Let’s START the loom! (FOLLOW EACH STEP in this order)
1. Use the ruler to mark lines about 1.5cm apart at the top and bottom of your cardboard.
2. Cut small slits on each line – with about 1 cm gap – these will hold your yarn!
3. Glue the strips of cardboard to mark when to start and to stop weaving – as shown on the video.
Adding the foundation or warp thread TO THE LOOM:
For this step, pick a colour yarn that will suit your desired final design. I would suggest a neutral colour, like beige, or black, or white…As you warp your loom, tug on the string periodically to be sure it’s staying snug. When you’re done, the string on the front should make straight, vertical lines. Cut your string, leaving a small tail, and tape it to the back.

How to start weaving
Thread the needle with the first piece of yarn, and continuously weave over and under the warp threads. Push it to the bottom. Go back the other way following the opposite motion: under-over-under… Repeat with different colours if you want!

Here are some tips
• As you weave, the warp strings on the edges will naturally pull in a bit. To keep this narrowing from being too dramatic, pay extra attention to the tension of your weft materials as you turn the edges and go back the other way. Resist the urge to pull your material tightly over the last warp strings.
• When you begin and end a new piece of yarn, or fabric strip, leave a few inches hanging off the side. When you’re done, they can be tied up.
• Never trim a yarn without first tying it to another thread.

How to finish your work
When you’re done, gently cut the warp yarn off the slits - from the back of the cardboard loom. Carefully remove your fabric from the loom. Tie the ends of the warp threads to hold them in place.

Working with your hands to make arts and crafts is really special! It’s like giving your imagination a way to come out and play. When you cut, glue, paint, or build something with your hands, you're not just having fun — you're also learning how to be patient, creative, and focused.
It helps your brain grow stronger because you're using it to think of ideas, and your fingers to bring those ideas to life. It's like teamwork between your brain and hands!
Plus, when you make something all by yourself, you feel proud, right? That’s because you created something that didn’t exist before — and that’s kind of like magic.