Homemade weaving loom

Since I have spinning my own cotton,  I decided that I wanted to make something special that I could keep. I already knit and crochet.  But being my first try at spinning, it isn't consistent enough and the more I spin the better and more consistent it gets.

The idea came into my head that I could make coasters.  I still didn't want to knit or crochet. Hmmm maybe I should weave them. I went online and looked at several different looms.

Stretching Frame

I stopped by Crafts Direct and I picked up 4 pieces to create a stretch frame; 14 inches wide and 24 inches long. 

Straight lines are a challenge for me!

I nailed a string of nails 1/4 inch apart across the bottom.  Then I started stringing my practice yarn. I didn't want to start out with the thread/yarn that I made myself. I only used half the nails.  For my finished project I will use all the nails. 

Stringing the yarn

After the yarn was strung in the frame, I used a tongue depressor (ruler would work too) to make the actual weaving easier.

A Sample of My Weaving

Once the yarn is pulled through, the tongue depressor is used to tighten the weave.

Close-up of the Weaving

Notice at the top, I didn't use nails.  I wrapped it over and under.  That allowed a natural split in every other thread.  The challenge was when I needed to weave the reverse direction.  (Suggestions anyone?)  Although, I can't complain because it progressed very quickly.

The whole picture

I need to figure out the correct way to bind off the ends.  I used a modified form of the tie-off that I use for knitting then I tied knots in the end.  It worked but there has to be a better way.  I must study that before I do my final project.

First Sample Project