Home Made Looms
Anything that holds warp under tension is a loom. Any weave structure may be woven on any loom. You don't need special "looms" to weave. You can make a simple loom out of things you have around the house. Here is a collection of wonderful ideas for you to "try before you buy" to see if weaving is something you'd like to take up or to keep children entertained on rainy days.
If you discover any broken/outdated links, please let me know.
Index Cards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJlaxase0F0
Tablets/Cards:
http://www.stringpage.com/tw/tw.html
Rigid Heddle/Back Strap:
http://bobscrafts.com/bobstuff/backstrp.htm
Laverne Waddington Back Strap Basics:
https://backstrapweaving.wordpress.com/backstrap-basics-an-article-from-weavezine-by-laverne-waddington/
(take note of the household items used to make this loom
http://www.weavezine.com/sites/default/files/images/2009/wk_38_LaverneWaddington//wz_2009w38_LaverneWaddington_03.jpg )
Here's a "backstrap loom" with a rigid heddle made from Shrinky Dinks:
http://diela-kcdesign.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-make-your-own-backstrap-loom-for.html
Simple Counter-balance Looms (Kente Cloth Weavers):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SM_2flGmQg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1Gz3DzR5bc
You can put string heddles on a frame and use it just like you would a rigid heddle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9orgl9rW_8
How to make string heddles:
http://rigidheddleweaving.com/articles/how-to-make-string-heddles
http://bobscrafts.com/bobstuff/heddles.htm
Clamps, a chair and a pencil (note: you can use cards, a rigid heddle or string heddles with a shed rod on this set up):
http://theloomybin.com/doc/cwloom/index.html
2 Shaft Counter Balance Loom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3MrlZIHf0o
See my "How to Make String Heddles" article
Toothpick Loom for making tubes (pouches):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kqUHE2ET_s
Weave It Loom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHkeoNB34yo
Knitting Board (you could also use cotter pins):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=CgyEcCK3Eps
Tiny Box Loom (imagine it on a larger scale!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY0DiWJM8Zw
Chording Loom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ5eqRcSDU0
Pocket Looms:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69Dwq2mGnx4
Index Card Looms:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJlaxase0F0
http://cdn.makezine.com/make/craft/08/pocketloom.pdf
Rigid Heddle from Zip Ties and Hole Punch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rC4vQIXDrQ&t=497s
Shrinky Dink Loom (similar to Index Card Loom just a bit more sturdy):
http://diela-kcdesign.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-make-your-own-backstrap-loom-for.html
Picture Frame / Frame Loom (for Beading):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUjYBHzuuMQ
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Frame-Loom-for-Weaving/ (with rigid heddle)
http://youtu.be/NPXyIdA1ah4
Picture Frame Loom (for Tapestry/Fabric):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQLmd5DLG50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYYrJhORNrs (uses Push Pins)
http://www.marlamallett.com/loom.htm
Cardboard Lap Loom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbtKnvc_9No
Tape Loom Made from Cardboard Box:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adg0XXot2P4&t=5m29s
Bow Maker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8iDVeQ4lsU
Weaving Straws (Sticks):
Straws: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVsmd-HrBOc
Sticks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVYxeLgEmww
3D Printed Rigid Heddle Loom
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:490467
LOOM PLANS (for the carpenters in your life)
Magic Heddle Loom:
http://www.vintageprojects.com/kids/kids-loom.html
Various Looms:
http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/resources/index.php?cat=707
2 Shaft Table Top Loom:
http://bobscrafts.com/bobstuff/2-h-loom.htm
Four Shaft Counter Balance Loom:
Note: File is in BETA. There are errors and omissions (easy to figure out). Please review instructions completely before forging ahead.
DIY Laser Cut Rigid Heddle Loom
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Laser-Cut-Rigid-Heddle-Loom-Part-1-Building-th/