Diagonal Weaving on a Square Loom
Diagonal weaving on a square loom utilizes the Continuous Strand Method – You create the warp and weave the weft as you go. Diagonal weaving creates a bias-woven fabric. This type of fabric drapes well and resists unraveling.
Why Would I Want to Weave on a Square Loom?
You may weave all sorts of items on square looms of the appropriate size. Dishcloths, clothing, purses, mug rugs, and even blankets if you enjoy sewing. The possibilities are endless. These looms are very portable. I have a jacket that I made using a square loom and a tri-loom.
Diagonal Weaving Materials
Square loom
Crochet hook
Comb
Scissors
Yarn and container
Using any size of a square loom, you can weave continuously with one strand of yarn. I am using a tiny 3 ½” loom for this tutorial.
It will help if you place your yarn in a container, so it doesn’t jump all over the place while you are weaving.
Let’s Begin Diagonal Weaving on a Square Loom
Step 1-Slip Knot
- Starting about 6” in from the end of your yarn, make a slip knot.
Holding the loom on a point, expand the slip knot to the bottom nail up and over the top nail.
Step 2-First Row
- Bring the working yarn around the next nail on the left and straight up to the top’s corresponding nail.
Step 3-Pull Strand Down
- Go around the nail from the left. Using a crochet hook from the right side, go over the first strand, grab the working yarn, pull it under the first strand, over the second strand, and hook it on the next nail on the right side.
When you grab the working yarn, you ALWAYS go over the weaving first strand on the right side. You will be going over and under across the weaving as it widens.
- Slide the working yarn down to the next nail on the right side. Pull the yarn snug but not taut and go around the next free nail on the weaving left side.
Step 4- Continue Weaving
- Go around the nail and straight up to the corresponding nail at the top and repeat as before.
Notice that your weaving is done for you at the bottom. At the bottom, you go around the next available nails. Your bottom and top should mirror each other.
Remember, weaving always is smaller off the loom. For this reason, it is important to maintain an even snug tension. Also, a pick or comb of some sort comes in handy in aligning the weaving. You want to keep your weaving even.
Step 5-What to do when the weaving widens.
- Depending on the size of your loom, you may have to weave across a few strands at a time until you reach the nail. Just remember the strand you went under on the last row; you go over in this row. As you pull your yarn across, keep the working end on the bottom, so you don’t twist your yarn. The strands (warp) you need to go under are usually positioned lower than their neighbors.
- Check periodically to ensure you haven’t skipped any nails. If you did, use your crochet hook and move the loops up.
The Last Row
If you are weaving on a pin loom (sets of 3 nails spaced apart), you may end up with an extra nail. Just ignore it.
Yarn at the top, go around the topmost nail, make a last check of your weaving, cut your working yarn allowing for the over and under weaving of the yarn (I allow twice the loom’s length), and weave the end down to the bottom. You can leave the end, but I usually go around the last nail and over the yarn strand and pull the tail’s end through the loop.
Carefully pop your weaving off the loom and block.
Congratulations, you have just woven your first diagonal square!
I hope you found this lesson about Diagonal Weaving on a Square Loom helpful. Please share any comments or questions you have in the Comment area towards the bottom of this page.
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Where to Find Square Looms
My small weaving looms include different sizes and styles of looms from the following makers:
The Woolery – They have a large selection of pin looms from various manufacturers.
I have used Hazel Rose Looms for years. They are a husband and wife team. They specialize in the 4” pin looms but also have many other options. Be sure and check out their Facebook Page, too. I purchased the 3 ½ “ loom I used in this instruction from Hazel Rose Looms.
In the early 1990s, Carol Leigh of Hillcreek Fiber Studio was my first introduction to loom weaving. They supply triangle looms (tri-looms). They now sell tri-looms, square looms, rectangular looms, tripod stands, and adjustable-size looms. I highly recommend Carol Leigh’s book on Continuous Strand weaving. She covers Diagonal Weaving on a Square Loom.
Other Reading Material on Small Looms
If you enjoyed this post on Diagonal Weaving on a Square Loom, you might like my other weaving posts:
Looms, Which One is Right for You
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