I can hardly believe how fast the first month of the new Weaver’s Guide to Pin Loom went by! Did you enjoy the opening selection of project picks? If you missed it, you can still read my picks for August, but it is also time to move on.
For September, I want to take you on a treasure hunt, and here is the selection of projects that I picked for that: We often look at projects from the perspective of how they can be used, as blankets, bags, scarves, garments, and more. However, many projects hide little treasures of interesting weaving details that – once discovered – can be used far beyond just one project. Let’s take a look:
Pattern weaving on 4″ square looms is well documented, thanks to many busy hands at Vintage companies like Weave-It almost 90 years ago. Many of those patterns are preserved in Vintage booklets that are accessible online, for example on the eloomanation website.
For most other looms, pattern weaving is less documented. The reasons include that each loom size and shape and each pin-loom weaving method may require separate instructions. But that does not mean it cannot be done, and it is certainly worth the effort.
Because of the modular character of pin-loom weaving, each little pattern can be taken out of the context of its original project and then used in many ways: Explore the different front/back effects, use different colors, and play with using the pieces in different directions to discover a plethora of possibilities.
For (hexagon) example, give heart-weaving a try, then add those pieces to a pillow case, patchwork blanket, or scarf. Make some diamonds from the Hidden Diamond Cowl and use them as coasters. Or dive into twill and bead weaving with the Aspen Clutch to make twill blanket borders or beaded holiday ornaments.
Not sure how to get started with pattern weaving? Check out the “Read It and Weave It: Pin Loom Patterns” article on the Weaver’s Guide!
I love how Angela Tong integrates Amber Vigil’s Spot Bronson Lace pattern in her Infinite Lace cowl! It’s a great example for how we can leverage knowledge and skills from other weaving methods, even if we have to “translate” them. Spot Bronson Lace is one example. With just a few steps this beautiful weaving pattern from the multi-shaft weaving world can be transformed to enchant pin-loom weaving. Combine that with beautiful yarn (because as pin-loom weavers we easily can!) and you get a boutique-quality fiber treasure.
Let me add a teaser: Like many four-shaft weavers, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on Marguerite Porter Davison’s re-released “Green Book” which is a treasure trove of classic weaving patterns. Some of those patterns may serve as inspiration for pin-loom pattern weaving. For example, I’m currently working on the Barley Corn weave for a project that I hope to release before the end of this year.
Listen to the story of the amazing group effort to re-release this book while you weave! Find the story (and many more) on the Long Thread Podcast.
Deborah Bagley’s Color Flow Rug has fascinated me from the time it was first published in 2017. I see three treasures:
- With the smooth weaving and the fringes, I thought at first that this rug was woven on a rigid heddle loom. Only when I tried to figure out how the smaller square effects in the middle of the fabric were done, I noticed the modular pin-loom fabric. In other words, with pin-loom weaving you may achieve fabric effects that are difficult or even impossible to achieve with other weaving methods.
- This project is a good reminder to dare thinking outside the box: Yes, you can even weave RUGS on a pin loom! There’s no project too big or too demanding that you cannot consider making it on a small loom.
- The project is woven with just one 4″ square loom. The smaller squares are achieved by skillfully arranging two colors during weaving. I’d like to encourage you to weave one or a few of the color-combining squares to discover a whole realm of even more cool effects that can be achieved with little effort.
Pin-loom weaving can keep you busy for a lifetime. However, you may miss out on a lot of opportunities. Sally Weener’s Kodachrome Quilt encourages to look over the fence into the crafting neighborhood of machine sewing.
Notice that the pin-loom squares in this project are beginner-friendly plain weave, which means this project could be a great invitation to a savvy machine quilter to try out pin-loom weaving, or to a multi-discipline crafter to add pin-loom weaving to their repertoire. Quilters play with intricate placements of colorful pieces of fabric, and pin-loom weaving provides self-contained fabric pieces to do just that.
If you are a pin-loom weaver already, consider tapping into machine sewing with this project. Strengthen your pin-loom woven pieces by easily adding a backing (it’s also a great alternative to joining the pieces directly). This comes in even more handy when you work with multiple colors and need to hide a lot of yarn ends.
Machine sewing can also be a great way to assist with sewing the pin-loom pieces together, like I discussed in the “Behind the Design: Rising to the Challenge” feature in Little Looms Spring 2026.
Just one more: Think of any place where you’d like fringes. Now make some, and Hazel Spencer will show you how to do it in her Fringe Element Pillow! While this project smoothly integrates the fringes with the little pillow, think about making fringes
- On larger looms, for larger fringes.
- Use sparkly yarns for festive fringes.
- Decorate wall hangings, scarves, sweaters, curtains … whether they are sewn, crocheted, knitted, … or woven.
Edgings unlimited at your service!
I hope you enjoyed this little treasure hunt. Do you have a favorite project this month? Do you have another pin-loom treasure that you’d like to share? Leave a comment below!
Sign up to not miss any of the upcoming Picks: