Hello, Little Looms Summer ’26!

Posted on by texasgabi

With some people across the world still drowning in that cold, white stuff on the ground, it is so refreshing to receive this color-bursting issue of “Easy Weaving with Little Looms”, Summer 2026. The magazine is loaded with ideas around spending summer in the city or in the country!

I had the honor of designing the Hexie Knot Mat pin-loom project for this issue, a fun table topper that is woven of the delightful DMC Eco Vita Raffia yarn.

I used two looms, the Original Jewel Loom, R, and the Original TURTLE Loom™, R, both looms in regular sett for worsted weight yarns.

This is the first published project that uses a pattern weave on the Jewel loom. An easy-to-weave twill pattern creates an interesting directional effect, just because of the weaving method that is used for this loom. The pattern becomes even more interesting when you put several jewel shapes together!

On the Original TURTLE hexagon pin loom you will weave a fun new pickup pattern that looks like a knot. The pattern originated from an 8-shaft draft that I “translated” into pin-loom weaving.

Both patterns have potential far beyond the table topper.

Once you master the mat project, go ahead and plan to use those patterns for other projects.

For example, add coasters to your summer table outfit by weaving single knot hexagons and crocheting a little border around it!

I wove the hexagon in DMC Eco Vita Raffia, shade 04, and used DMC Petra Size 3 in color 53837 for the border. Crochet one round of single crochet along the edges, then randomly work scallops in a final round.

Your imagination will be the limit: Try to organize the twill jewels in different directions. Weave the knot hexagons in yarn instead of raffia.

But let’s get back to the magazine issue for a moment …  for pin-loom weavers (and other pin looms) there are not one, but two blankets to choose from, the cutest cuddle mice to make, and a handy purse that may also serve as a perfect storage case for weaving tools.

And of course there’s so much more … that lacy hemp rigid heddle loom pattern is waiting to be sampled on a pin loom, the color scheme of the title model is stunning (and you could make such a scarf in those colors using a pin loom), that wedding bouquet band invites to dream, and Tom Knisely’s feature about the linen lifecycle is hard to put down.

For your convenience we offer the print magazine in our Etsy store so that you can just add it to your loom order. However, the best deal is to subscribe to the magazine through the publisher Long Thread Media, which will give you instant online access to now 10 years of Little Looms content.

Did you see our ad in this issue? We will release the pattern for the breezy top Roxanne on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Make sure to be back for that, or even better: Subscribe to be notified about new blog posts so that you don’t miss any TURTLE news!

New Looms and Amelia …

Posted on by texasgabi

Maybe the world does not need more square and triangle looms, but I want:

  • Matching square and triangle looms that will allow me to comfortably weave larger projects without wearing out my wrists,
  • enjoy speedy progress, and
  • not give up on the modularity that pin looms offer to make interesting designs. And yes,
  • I want to be able to use the same pretty yarns that work so well on all of our other looms, so the looms need the same pin spacing.

Meet the Square 6″ (R) square pin loom and the matching RightTri 6″ (R) right triangle pin loom for worsted weight yarns!

And then Amelia entered the stage when I recently strolled through The Rogue Skein local yarn store and discovered Tensan, a new Noro yarn that pairs well with an established favorite, Silk Garden Solo.

Quilt inspiration struck again, and I decided to adapt the traditional Flying Geese quilt pattern for a first project with the new square and triangle looms.

Meet Amelia, a new garment pattern for (any) 6″ square and triangle looms! Amelia is a tasteful minimalist design that combines ease of making and versatility to wear, and it invites to use interesting yarns like the Tensan.

The generous sleeve openings and the smooth V-neck allow you to style the vest in many ways: Try it with jeans for a relaxed outdoor stroll or with a festive blouse for a special occasion!

A button closure allows you to wear the vest open or close.

Get the looms and the pattern in the Bluebonnet Crafters’ Etsy store:

Not ready to make a large project? You can use the looms for any project you like. Try your new looms on a project as small as a coaster: Weave a square or two triangles and finish up with a single row of crochet ([sc 2, skip one] repeat all around; sc1, ch1, sc1 into each corner). Celebrate your coaster with a hot cocoa or beverage of your choice!

If you are not sure and just want to try out one loom, I recommend that you start with the Square. You can still make triangles! Here is the link to the video that shows you how you can weave a triangle on a square loom. This method works well, but if you plan to make a larger number of triangles, having a dedicated loom makes the task definitely more comfortable.

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or contact us!

Let’s Weave Some Half Hexagons!

Posted on by texasgabi

We published “Six Ways to Make Half Hexagons” a few years ago to show crafters how to weave half hexagons on their TURTLE hexagon pin looms. This is a good solution for straightening edgings on some projects, but fellow pin-loom weavers told us that they would like to have a dedicated and convenient half hexagon loom when a project asks for more than just a few half hexagons.

Welcome the Original Trapezoid looms in R-regular and F-fine sett, a shape that is most commonly used for half-hexagons. Use these looms on their own or together with any other “Original”-sized TURTLE loom.

Original Trapezoid, R-regular sett
Original Trapezoid, F-fine sett

Many quilting patterns use trapezoid half hexagons, either on their own or combined with other shapes. Find inspiration at our Pinterest board “Trapezoids … Half Hexagons”! I have only sampled a few ideas so far … take a look:

  • Bordered hexagons. Use on their own as coaster or put multi-colored units together to make a blanket.
  • Pinwheel or whirligig. Start with six trapezoids in the center, then fill in the border with more trapezoids. Use as table topper or put more units together for a blanket.
  • Opposite hexagons or hourglass. Put two halves together along the small bottom sides. Use for table runners, pillow cases, blankets.
  • The “classic” half hexagon quilt pattern … any or many colors, sometimes patchwork effect or with one solid color opposing several colors.
  • “Classic” half hexagon quilt pattern, using the half hexagons in a slanted direction.
  • “Braided” half hexagons. A fun way to make strips that can be used on their own or put together to make larger items like blankets.

If you have been thinking of making the Lemon Drop Kitchen Towel from Little Looms Summer 2023, you may want to think again and consider. As a Long Thread Media Little Looms or All Access subscriber, you have instant access to the digital pattern in the Little Looms Library. You can also find a print copy of this issue in our Etsy store.

Pin-loom weaving trapezoids opens the doors to even more applications, be it 3D shapes or an intricate shaping of accessories and garments as shown in the new Rhinebeck Headscarf.

To get you started on exploring trapezoids, here is a small project that you can try out on your new loom: For this Christmas Alpaca ornament I used two half hexagons to stage a landscape for an alpaca sew-on patch. Super-easy, and you “could” make a bunch of them for the upcoming holiday season:

Make a Christmas Alpaca Ornament

  • I used dishcloth cotton (3.4 yds each for ‘sky’ and ‘pasture’ ) on the new Original Trapezoid R. You can of course use the Original Trapezoid F and thinner yarn as well, but remember to adjust the amount of yarn needed. Weave one half hexagon in light blue for the sky and one in green for the pasture.
  • Weave one hexagon (6 yds in color of your choice) on the Original TURTLE Loom™, R, as backing. Optionally you can embroider the year or some initials on the back (I prefer to embroider while the hexagon is still on the loom; use the photo for guidance.)
  • Sew the two half hexagons together to make a full hexagon. Sew on an alpaca patch or embroider your own design onto the landscape.
  • Sew the two hexagons together (right sides facing out; use whip stitch)
  • The cotton is stiff enough that it doesn’t need any stuffing or support. If you use other yarns, you may need to slightly stuff the ornament like a hexie puff or you can cut out a hexagon from cardboard or plastic canvas.
  • Add a hanger of your choice.

I didn’t realize how addictive making things with trapezoid shapes can be, and I know that only time is the limit to exploring this new realm. My advice to you:

Enter the world of trapezoid weaving at your own risk … awesome fun awaits!

Anniversary Looms: EquiTri R and F

Posted on by texasgabi

Seven years ago today we listed our first hexagon pin loom on Etsy, and the list of new looms has grown since then. Today we’d like to add two equilateral triangle looms, the Original EquiTri R and F.

Greta Holmstrom used the fine sett EquiTri triangle loom when she designed her Lotus Mosaic Runner that is published in “Easy Weaving with Little Looms” Summer 2024. Of course you can use the Jewel loom to weave equilateral triangles (see Weaving Triangles on the Jewel Loom). However, if you need more than a few, it will go faster and is more enjoyable to use a dedicated loom.

Find the new looms in our Etsy store: Original EquiTri R and Original EquiTri F

The triangles can be used for many project ideas, either on their own or together with other “Original”-sized TURTLE looms like hexagons, diamonds, and jewels.

Are you wondering what to do with equilateral triangles? Here is a short geometry insight to inspire you:

  • One equilateral triangle makes a great gap filler to smoothen borders.
  • Two equilateral triangles make a diamond shape.
  • Three equilateral triangles make a half hexagon.
  • Four equilateral triangles make … a larger equilateral triangle.
  • Five equilateral triangles make a pretty flower shape.
  • Six equilateral triangles make a hexagon.

Now add color to the mix, and you have a great building block for a sheer endless number of projects. Find more ideas in the quilting world and on this Pinterest board.

A quick “first project” is to make a kaleidoscope table topper … It’s easy: Grab 6 colors from your yarn stash, weave 6 hexagons and 6 equilateral triangles. Sew the six triangles together into a hexagon, then surround that hexagon with the 6 hexagons.

If you are new to triangle weaving, we have prepared something special for you: We’ve added instructional videos to our YouTube channel that show triangle weaving for left- and right-handed weavers!

Enjoy the show and weave on!

Ta-Da! The Original Jewel F – Fine Sett is Here!

Posted on by texasgabi

The first batch of Original Jewel F looms is ready, and we know that some of you have been really, really waiting for it.

Without further ado, here is the new Jewel F loom, “Original” size, which means it works well together with other “Original” TURTLEs like the hexagon and diamond shapes. “F – fine sett” for sock/fingering yarn … American weight 1 – 2 and British weight DK with a knitting stitch gauge of 24-26 work best. Slightly thicker/thinner yarns will make beautiful denser/lacier fabrics.

This wheel sampler shows just a few examples of yarns that work very well on the new Jewel F.

Here’s a closer look at the sampler yarns:

  • Inspirations Patons Kroy Socks yarn is a sturdy, squishy sock wool that comes in many solid and variegated colors.
  • Desert Garden by Dyelicious Yarn has some colors that are dyed with TURTLE looms in mind. I used Lupine for this sample.
  • Many of Berroco’s yarns are perfect for (pin-loom) weaving. I am in love with Lumi, which creates a solid fabric with a festive sheen.
  • Holst Garn Titicaca is a lace weight yarn. Two strands held together create an amazing, super-soft fabric. I found this yarn at the Yarn Barn of Kansas.
  • Another Berroco yarn, Vintage Sock, is a very pleasant to weave, sturdy and easy-care blend that comes in many colors.
  • Fine-sett TURTLEs can’t be without one of the best cotton yarns that I know of, Scheepjes Catona.

If you miss out on the first batch of Original Jewel F looms, don’t worry, there will be more. Batch 2 is in the making and will be ready before Christmas. You can signup on Etsy to be notified when we list more, or you can contact us to get onto our list. That way you will keep your space in line and we will let you when your loom is ready.

When you get your Jewel loom, a great first project is to make some tree ornaments!

The yarn I used here is Chaos Fiber Co Christmas Time, a variegated green/red fingering weight yarn that creates a plaid-like effect while weaving.

How To Make A Tree Ornament:

  • Weave two jewels on your new Original Jewel F loom (or use your Jewel R with thicker yarn).
  • Sew the shapes together along the edges, leaving an opening for stuffing.
  • To give the ornament more strength, insert a piece of cardboard or plastic canvas (you can find the cutting template here).
  • You could also bend into shape or weave a fairy light chain, which will ad a romantic lighting to your ornament. Or use any stuffing of your choice for a more 3D effect.
  • Add a hanger.
  • Embellish with anything you like: Bows, bells, garlands, or embroider a name or a date.

Ready to make, give, enjoy!