Weaving on a Little Loom

May 21, 2018
“While weaving can be inherently complex and technical, it provides a fantastic framework for creative expression,” writes Daly at the start of her gorgeous introduction to weaving. Daly, a textile designer in London, creates handwoven textiles using locally sourced yarn, and her expertise as a hand-weaver informs this encyclopedia of techniques. Her “welcome to weaving” includes history, instructions for choosing a loom, clear explanations of tools and materials, and a lesson on how a frame loom works. The greater part of this guide covers handweaving techniques: choosing the right shuttle, joining wefts, applying rug-making techniques, and edging (machine zigzagging, fringing, tessellating, and knotting). One drawback to Daly’s instructions is that, although she includes a glossary in the back, she employs jargon (“sett,” “shed”) before defining the terms. The five projects—a wall hanging, purse, place mat, cushion cover, and looped bag—are all beautifully showcased in earthy tones complemented by the book’s matte pages. Weaving, Daly explains, is not a “weekend project” but a commitment; her alluring book convinces readers it’s worth the time and effort.

September 1, 2018
Weaving can seem like a daunting technique to learn, but in this book textile artisan Daly takes the reader through the entire process from constructing a small loom through to the finished product: woven fabric, rug, or tapestry. The cardboard loom requires only a relatively small piece of sturdy cardboard, ruler, pencil, craft knife or scissors, glue, and an hour or two to construct. Though the illustrations use a frame loom, which is both sturdier and easier to see the work on than the cardboard loom, the concepts are the same. Short sections with large color photographs outline the basics of weaving: tools, types and sizes of yarn/fiber, how a frame loom operates, how to set up or dress the loom, a variety of basic weaving techniques, and how to edge or finish the woven piece. Instructions for five projects are also included: a wall hanging, a purse, a place mat, a cushion cover, and a tote bag. Charts accompany the written instructions. A solid introduction to small-scale loom weaving, this is a worthy addition to public-library collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)