To measure the correct amount of yarn needed to weave, wind yarn loosely counter-clockwise around the sides of the Weavette in the following lengths:

Cut at this length, unwind the yarn (being careful not to spring the threaded yarn from the pins), and thread the long weaving needle.

1) Plain Weave

Figure 4: Holding the Weavette with the #1 in the lower lefthand corner (your left thumb is on the last threaded space to keep the yarn in place), begin weaving at the red "W" between the first and second pins in the lower righthand corner. Following the direction of the black arrow, Row 1 begins with passing the needle over the outside loop, under the next yarn, over the next, under the next, over, under...across the loom until you come out under the last yarn at the left side, before the first pin. Draw the yarn through, pulling gently and leaving light tension on the yarn. Turn Weavette so woven-Row 1 is opposite you. On the right side of the loom, place needle between second and third pins, over the outside loop, and pass the needle under the next yarn, over the next, under, over...across the loom again, coming out under the last yarn through the open space between the pin sets.

Figure 5: Rotate the Weavette after each woven row, and remember that you:

Always start weaving from the right side of the loom;

Always begin with the needle over the outside loop and under the first thread;

Always end a row with the needle coming out in a space between two triple-clusters of pins;

Always bring the yarn around two pins to begin the next row of weaving.

Repeat these weaving steps until the Weavette is covered and all pins have been worked. Keep in mind that you are only weaving every other row, leaving a thread between each woven row. Because you threaded the loom vertically first, then horizontally, then vertically again...the thread that you weave with the needle is horizontal also. If you need to go back and count rows to find your place, only count every other thread.


Figure 6: You will end with the last row of weaving NEXT TO THE PINS. To secure your woven square, bring the yarn around the last bare pin and put the needle through the last corner loop. Don't pull the yarn down tightly but instead, when the yarn makes a loop, thread the needle through this loop and then pull it down tightly. It forms a simple knot that isn't too bulky. Leave 2" of yarn, long enough to bind into the seam of an adjoining square or rectangle.

Before removing your finished piece from the Weavette, be sure that the strands of yarn are uniformly straight and the first ones on all four sides fit snugly against the row of pins. Irregularities can be easily straightened out by stroking the surface with the needle. Strive for even spacing over the entire surface. Remove the woven fabric from the pins by pushing up from underneath the loom.

Color Variation in Plain Weave

If you'd like to vary the effect of plain weave, you can try different approaches:

Use a yarn with variegated colors, so that the space-dyed effect of the yarn creates some visual interest.

Thread the Weavette with one color, then tie on a different color (before you measure for weaving) and complete the woven pattern.

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