I've been doing pin woven projects on a cardboard base for a while now and really like the flexibility it offers: any shape and size is possible. Also all the edges are finished the minute you release the piece from the loom. The weaving is done with a darning or weaving needle. It is terrific for making samples to test sett or colour combinations before you commit yourself to a large project. The basic process I use is described on this blog post: http://ruthsjacketproject.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-sett-ruler-and-pin-woven-samples.html

Just the other day, I discovered that if I raise the ends of the warp up from the cardboard by just a little bit, the whole weaving process is much easier. All I do is fold a strip of cardboard (from a cereal packet or similar) in half and insert the warping pins through that.

Is anybody else using pin weaving? What have you learned that makes it easier?

pin weaving technique improvement

 

Comments

Sat, 02/12/2011 - 12:56

Claudia Segal (not verified)

I am very interested in learning more about it.  Once you have inserted the pins in the cardboard, as above, do you then place them on a board?  Do you keep the graph paper underneath throughout the project?  

I tried a couple of things on my own and learned it's not as simple as it sounds.

Claudia

Sat, 02/12/2011 - 16:17

Ruth weaves (not verified)

Hi Claudia,

The draft (or graph paper in this case) stays under the weaving throughout. You lay the draft on the stack of cardboard (or whatever you are using for the pin board) and the strip of folded cardboard in position on top of that and put the pins in to hold it all together.

I hope that makes sense. :)

Ruth

Mon, 02/14/2011 - 17:42

naturalfibres (not verified)

Ruth, your jacket project is very fascinating - what an interesting idea.

Anne

Mon, 02/14/2011 - 20:33

kbird (not verified)

Ruth -

Should I assume that a small hammer might make the job of pin placement much, much easier?

And, are those "push pins" that you are using as compared to sewing pins perhaps?

I love the idea of trying this method of weaving, and I think your innovation is terrific.

Thanks for Sharing...
Kay

Tue, 02/15/2011 - 21:33

Ruth weaves (not verified)

The pins I'm using are ordinary dressmaker pins with round heads. They need to be fairly long and pushed in at an angle (like a tent peg). I don't think push pins would anchor the warp well enough in the cardboard I'm using which is fairly light weight (e.g. ikea boxes). I make a stack about 6 or 8 thick. I push the pins in by hand and they go in quite easily. If I'm doing a lot I use a thimble to save my fingers. Maybe if you had a firmer surface like cork, push pins would work and then you might need a hammer. The beauty of using cardboard is that it is so quick and cheap.

Hope that helps!

Ruth

 

 

 

 

Tue, 02/15/2011 - 23:50

suzyhok (not verified)

Hi Ruth...

I look forward to seeing the progress of this ambitious project. It's going to be beautiful!

I haven't used Pin Weaving, but I have noticed when I do my cardboard loom weaving that after the first 1/2 inch or so I am able to weave much more easily because the web that has been woven lifts the warp threads off the surface of the cardboard.  Your idea of a spacer on your pins to get started is brilliant!

I can't wait to see the finished piece!

... Suzy

Wed, 05/29/2019 - 19:59

Smidgentigre

I kind of fell into pin loom weaving last year. A friend started doing it, it looked fun, so i’m Doing it now. I have 2 looms, an old weave-it and an old Easiweave pin frame. The Weave-it is a 4” loom, the easiweave is a 6” loom.I do regular, side-to-side weaving on the Weave-is. I do bias weaving on the Easiweave. Both are nice to carry around. Both can use all yarn sizes up to Aran, tho that gets pretty bulky. I’m using light fingering on the Weave it squares, going for a lot so I can make a shawl. I’m not sure what I’ll make with the worsted variegated browns from the Easiweave. Maybe sew them together for a bag or scarf.

 

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Cardboard Loom Weavers