I’ll start with my favourite and most used book, in fact, this is the first rigid heddle weaving book I bought.
The Weaver’s Idea Book by Jane Patrick This book has so much content and is great for beginners. It allows you to start with the basics and build as you go. Just about everything you need to know initially is contained within these pages and I think of it a little like a training ground for new weavers. It is also hardcover with spiral binding, making it easy to lay flat and view while you’re weaving. Highly recommended!
Weaving made Easy by Liz Gipson. A lovely little book that includes information on loom set up. The projects are simple enough for beginners and interesting enough for all weavers.
Woven to Wear by Marilyn Murphy. I also read this book as a newer weaver and loved how it stirred my imagination. It contains simple garments with lots of plain weave, making it great for beginners, particularly those wanting to get a taste for sewing with your handwoven. The sewing projects are simple rather than finicky, with the use of large shapes instead of small pieces.
Inventive Weaving on a Little Loom by Syne Mitchell This book is awesome value for beginners to intermediate with lots of ideas. For the newer weaver, there is practical information and plenty of inspiration for once you have the basics down. I think of this book as one that you may not fully appreciate until you have some more weaving experience, perhaps a book that will grow with you through your weaving journey. Towards the middle and later part of the book are projects and ideas that may be too challenging for a new weaver, but that an enthusiastic and curious weaver will definitely want to make use of later on. There is a lot of information, it is attractively set out and a joy to flip through.
Weave, Knit, Wear by Judith Shangold This book is responsible for opening my eyes and quickening my heart over the range of possibilities with a rigid heddle loom and garment making. Judith uses mostly plain weave, colour and design to make fabric look special. She includes design layouts and illustrations to help you wrap your head around how garments can be constructed. What I really love about this book is the fusion of weaving, knitting and crochet added in. It really has encouraged me to think outside the square and maximise my rigid heddle loom.
Simple Woven Garments by Sara Goldberg Another really great book on making simple garments with simple, colourful, hand woven cloth. There are more than 20 projects and they are all wearable! There are also details on adjusting garments to your own specifications.
I had to come back and edit this post to include Debby Greenlaw’s new book Krokbragd: How to Design and Weave. I actually like this book so much that I wrote a review for it here, so pop over and read that if it sounds like a book you would be interested in.
To see all my book recommendations is one easy to access place, visit my Amazon Shop.
If you would like to watch this post in video format please click on the video below.
I hope you enjoyed my list!
Until next time…
Happy Weaving!
Liza Allen
Thanks for these recommendations I have a few & I use them a lot as a newbie who’s trying to leap forward. Currently, I’m learning a new pattern from 1 of these books right now. Also, books by Tamara Poff describes how to make use of fabric from RHL to make interesting clothing & how to cut woven cloth, as well as the books Kelly as mentioned. These books are on Amazon as well. Thanks Kelly.
Kelly
Thanks for sharing Liza, Tamara’s books look really interesting.
Elizabeth VanDyk
Thank you Kelly, I have a number of the books you recommended and after taking a few of your classes, I can do lots of the projects. Learning how to do some of the 4 shaft patterns on my rigid heddle is what I am into at the moment and the pinwheel class was a super great help with that and learning how to read a draft. Now I can get lots of inspiration from my books.
Kelly
You’re doing really well Elizabeth, I love seeing all the projects you’re undertaking!
Alex
Thank you for the recommendations, the friend who gifted me with my loom said they are great and I intend to find out very soon. I started with reading your post which was helpful then thought the video would be nice to see what the books were like. I was quite disappointed that you only showed the covers, I really hoped for a glimpse of the layouts and esthetics to see if there was one which would inspire more. None of these books are available in any neighbouring library so I’ll find out when I receive my parcel. Also it would have been nice to see all the books you’re talking about… Thank you still for the advice, I’m sure it’ll help me get started.
Kelly
Hi Alex,
I would love to be able to show the inside of the books, but unfortunately I could be sued for breach of copyright by doing so 😕
Diane Terry
I bought this book as an iBook they show a sample before you purchase. I like this book because I’m a kinetic learner so I find it very difficult to learn by reading I find this book usable there are lots of photos, so glad I bought it
Kelly
That’s great Diane 😊
Kelly
Glad to hear it Donna, thanks for letting me know!
Anonymous
Thank you Kelly. I have purchased most of your recommended rigid heddle books and they are all great choices. Donna Chafin