One of the most common things I hear from new students is:
“I love weaving… but I hate warping.”
And I get it completely!
Warping can feel tedious, slow, and (if things go wrong) a little discouraging. When you’re excited about starting a new project, it’s tempting to rush through the setup so you can just get to the good part – the weaving!
I wouldn’t say I hate warping – not at all. But I definitely feel that tug of impatience when I’m partway through winding a warp or threading a rigid heddle, and my mind is already dreaming about the fabric to come.
I think it’s fairly natural to just want to get to the good part 😀
But when I hear someone say that they hate warping, my first thought is “then something in your warping process needs to change”. Unless you have a huge weaving school or you’re mega rich and can pay someone to warp your loom for you, the warping is going to come down to you.
Why Warping Feels Like a Roadblock to Some Weavers
Over the years, I’ve realised that what many weavers dislike about warping isn’t the task itself—it’s the fear of making mistakes, or the uncertainty of whether it will all work out. If a weaver lacks confidence and is convinced that warping will be hard then yes, it will feel hard.
Questions like:
- Did I calculate this right?
- Is my tension going to be uneven?
- Why are some threads shorter than others?
- Why is this yarn so twisty and tangly?!
- What if my tension is off and I won’t know until I start weaving?
Sound familiar?
A Shift in Mindset: Warping is Part of the Weaving
When I started weaving, I saw warping as the boring “set-up” before the real fun began. But over time, my perspective changed. I started seeing warping as part of the creative process, not separate from it.
Here’s what helped:
- Taking my time to work through the steps
- Having a clear plan before I even touch the loom
- Using it as a moment to slow down, focus, and prepare—like priming a canvas before painting
- Understanding the warping as an essential part of the process
- Viewing the warp as the heart of the loom – a vital component to a happy weaving project
Now, even when I feel a little impatient to start weaving, I remind myself that the care I take in warping lays the foundation for everything to come.
Tips to Make Warping Easier (and Less Stressful)
If you or someone you know struggles with warping, here are a few things that might help:
- Use a calculations sheet or online calculator – it helps you stay organised and confident in your numbers
- Stick with warp-friendly yarns – smooth, strong yarns are more forgiving for beginners
- Start with manageable warps – a short, narrow project is less daunting and easier to troubleshoot
- Watch a video tutorial as you go – it can make all the difference to have a visual guide alongside you.
And most importantly—give yourself grace. Warping gets easier with practice. Even if it’s not your favourite part, it doesn’t have to be the thing that stops you from getting to the good part – the weaving!
If you are looking for beginner online courses to get you more comfortable with weaving, be sure to check these out:
Rigid Heddle Weaving Beginner Course
Table Loom Weaving Beginner Course
Floor Loom Weaving Beginner Course
What About You?
Do you enjoy warping? Do you rush through it, or take your time with it?
I’d love to hear what your relationship with warping looks like—and if you have any tips of your own, please share them in the comments!
One Final Thought…
I can’t go away without leaving you with this one very important fact. Years of practice in the art of weaving has taught me this truth: Everything in weaving is fixable!
Until next time…
Happy Weaving!
I have arthritis in my fingers and wrists. Warping hurts — especially when tensioning and tying on. That’s the main reason warping is not an enjoyable part of my weaving.
I’m sorry to hear that, what type of loom are you using?
I have only been weaving for a year on my RH loom. Have learned not to rush through warping, not to start when I am tired or have limited time to complete the task. Your videos, Kelly, make it so much easier! Thank you!
It’s definitely important to recognise your own limitations so you can best know how to work with them 😊
I hated warping my 8 shaft floor loom. Then I discovered rigid heddle looms and my desire to weave took off like a rocket! Compared to my floor loom, warping the rigid heddle was wonderful! I can no longer direct warp it but I have learned to use a small warping board which has made it so much easier for me. I am now teaching the method to others who have mobility issues and it is changing their attitudes about warping.
It’s so wonderful that you’re helping other weavers, I just love that!
I admit I didn’t love warping when I first started weaving, and I am still a pretty new weaver, but I’ve learned 2 things. First, I need to take my time and pay attention or I may end up needing a do-over. Second, looking at warping as the start of my project instead of the chore to complete BEFORE my project has helped.