How to Make a Potholder
Last time I mentioned weaving on a potholder loom, I went through the history of potholder weavings, all the ends of outs of what you would need to get started, the various types of looms available, etc. But today, I wanted to share how to actually make a potholder weaving for one of these looms.
I taught a couple of classes on this very subject to elementary school kids recently (age 4-12) and they were able to grasp the concept pretty quickly. So you know the process will be easy-to-follow. But more importantly, its fun, only requires two items to get started, and you can have a completed potholder weaving in less than an hour.
So, if you're looking for a way to keep your hands busy and try out a different creative activity, or just a project to zone out on while watching tv, click through for the tutorial.
Yield: 2 potholders
Cost: $20
Equipment
- potholder loom
- potholder loops (also known as loopers)
Instructions
- Slip your first loop over the first peg at the top left and stretch it down to the first peg on the bottom (bottom left) of the loom. Repeat this process all the way across the loom, making sure there is one loop for every set of pegs. And that all the loops run parallel to each other.
- Next you will create the horizontal part of the weaving. This is a good time to switch colors if you want to create a pattern. Start by attaching a new loop to the top horizontal peg (on either the left or right side) and go over the first vertical loop and under the next. Then over the next loop and under the one after that.
- Keep up with this process until your loop reaches the end of the row. Then, attach the end of the loop to the peg. And you're ready to start your next loop.
- For the next loop, you will start opposite whatever you did in the first row. So, if you started the row going over the first loop in the previous step, you will now go under the first loop in this second row. Then, go over the next loop, under the next. Over the next loop, under the next. Just like in step 2. And attach the end of the loop to the end peg.
- Repeat this process of steps 2 and 3 all the way down the frame of your loom. Once the weaving is complete, it's time to remove it from the loom. Starting in one corner, (let's say top right to make it easy) remove one loop from the peg. Then remove the loop right next to it off the peg and put that through the first loop.
- Keep this process going for that whole side, which will form a braided edge / chain stitch. When you get to the end of that side, continue on with the next side, putting each loop through the one that came before it.
- Repeat that process all the way around and when the final loop has been pulled through you can stretch any areas back out that are wonky or uneven.