Are you a new weaver looking for rigid heddle weaving patterns for beginners — beyond just plain weave? You’re in the right place!
Rigid heddle looms are often thought of as “just for plain weave,” but that’s only the beginning. With a few simple tools and techniques, you can create stunning patterns—even as a beginner.
In this post, I’ll show you several easy weaving patterns and enhancements that go beyond plain weave, perfect for rigid heddle beginners who are ready to try something new.
Start with the Basics – Plain Weave
- Plain weave is the foundation of rigid heddle weaving—and the best place to start if you’re new.
- To weave plain weave:
- Thread one slot and one hole, alternating across your warp
- Use the heddle in the up and down positions while weaving
- That’s it—you’re weaving!
Make It Pop: Use Variegated Yarn
Want your plain weave to look more complex without changing the structure? Use a variegated yarn!
You can:
- Warp with variegated yarn and weave with a solid color
- Warp with a solid color and weave with variegated yarn
The results are always eye-catching and can resemble intricate patterns as colors shift and intermingle.
Here are some great beginner-friendly variegated yarns:
💡 Tip: Hand-dyed yarns also give beautiful, one-of-a-kind results!
Check out my free The Heart Scarf Project to see how variegated yarn can be used for a stand out piece!
Try Clasped Weft: Easy, Creative, Colorful
Clasped weft is a fun, beginner-friendly way to make bold, graphic designs—while still using plain weave!
It works beautifully with:
- One solid yarn + one variegated yarn
- Two (or more) contrasting colors
👉 Follow this clasped weft step by step tutorial
Once you get the hang of it, try:
- 3-color clasped weft technique
- 4-color clasped weft for dramatic effects
- You can even use the clasped weft technique to create shapes!
🧵 Clasped weft is a great way to create scarves, wall hangings, and art pieces with personality.
Add Pattern with Pick-Up Sticks
Ready to go beyond plain weave? Pick-up sticks are the easiest way to start weaving actual patterns on your rigid heddle loom.
What are pick-up sticks?
They’re simple flat wooden tools that let you “pick up” warp threads and create new shed patterns—without needing a multi-shaft loom.
Why Beginners Love Pick-Up Sticks:
✅ They’re inexpensive
✅ Easy to use (no complex setup)
✅ Add texture, lace, and patterns to your projects
Learn more:
Explore Even More: Overshot-Style Patterns with Pick-Up Sticks
There’s just so much you can do with one, two, or even more pick-up sticks! Most weavers start by picking up warp threads behind the heddle, but did you know you can also pick up in front of the heddle to create a kind of overshot pattern?
This technique allows your pattern to float on top of the background weave—rather than becoming part of it—making for a dramatic, dimensional look.
If you play around with the spacing of floats and use colour changes creatively, you can design all sorts of exciting patterns!
🎄 Christmas patterns are always a favourite, so if you’re curious, here are a couple of the most-loved videos on this overshot style:
What Should You Try First?
Here’s a quick beginner weaving path to get you started:
- Plain weave scarf with a solid color warp + variegated weft
- Clasped weft sampler with two bold yarns
- Simple pick-up stick pattern on a placemat or table runner
And most importantly—have fun experimenting!
So Many Patterns, So Little Time!
This post is just a brief overview of the many pattern possibilities on your rigid heddle loom. There’s so much more you can explore!
I haven’t even touched on Colour and Weave—that deserves its own post entirely. You can read more about that here: 👉 Read my Colour and Weave article
Curious about plaid? I’ve also written about that and included free drafts for you to try: 👉 Get my plaid weaving post + drafts here
Want to dive into even more pattern ideas? I’ve got you covered in this deep-dive post where I share techniques like:
- Doubled weft
- Pick-up rows
- Staggered pick-up
- Dots and butterflies
👉 Explore even more pattern techniques here
This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.
Where to Go Next
If you’ve been weaving plain weave and wondering “what’s next?”, I hope this post has sparked some fresh ideas!
To take your weaving to the next level, I highly recommend my beginner’s class:
🎓 From Woe to Go — it’s a comprehensive, step-by-step course that helps you confidently get started on your rigid heddle loom.
Until next time…
Happy Weaving!
Kelly, do you find you use more 4 ply or more 8 ply yarn when making scarf’s.
I prefer 4ply (fingering weight) but it’s definitely a personal preference.
I can’t wait to try all these techniques! Your videos are paced well with clear instructions. Do you have a video or article about different types of yarn, which ones work best and how they might change the look of your project?
I have quite a few yarn resources-
Choosing and using yarns in weaving – http://kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com/2020/03/choosing-and-using-yarns-in-weaving.html
Knitting and weaving yarns- http://kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com/2021/12/what-is-the-difference-between-knitting-and-weaving-yarn.html
Yarn weights – http://kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com/2020/01/which-weight-of-yarn-do-i-choose.html
Best yarn for towels- http://youtu.be/X_v2Q-z5W_o
Which cotton yarn should I use? http://youtu.be/biB7Uqm2uB8
Which yarn is best for scarves? http://youtu.be/r7cZpEguK98
Wonderful video, just curious if clasped weaving works, or what the result is like if you do this for a scarf leaving a little blooming space in between for drape?
Hi Jen, I guess it would depend on how much space?
Hi Kellly….hope all is well with you and your’s. I purchased “Crazy Shot by Myra Wood. What wonderful patterns. Can I use these designs on my Schacht 15″ loom or my 30” loom? Are more than one Heddle necessary?
Have a nice day.
Dottie from Florida
Hi Dottie,
Yes, you can weave the designs on your Schacht looms, just check the size you need for each project. You only need one heddle 😊
I’m quite new to weaving this year I would like to try tea towels with lettering on one edge is this possible with a RHL?
Yes, to some extent it’s possible. I haven’t really tried it myself.
Hi Kathy, Retired RN, moved to Tucson, AZ 10 yes ago. Met some girls, who where fiber fanatics, spining,weaving, twirling, chasing sheep, you get the 📷!!!. Started taking classes. Weaving interest me. Learned on asford, store sold me a cricket, hated it. Lost interest. 2 years later, last week I started again, with the help of old notes and some d pics from the net completed, what could be any number of things. Many, many mistakes. Watching utube on TV, I came across u and remembered I had subscribed to your channel. Thank Goodness your still out there. My question concerns the header, didn’t do one. I now know why its needed, lol. Is it part of the project, meaning does it stay or is it removed at the end of the project ? Is it added in, when u are determining how much warp yarn u Need? 🤔 Do you use thinner or thicker yarn, and does the color have to match the project colors.
I await your response. Going to go thru my stash, and try to determine which color goes well with what. Don’t want to buy new until I use the old. Have a good day. STAY SAFE
to
I don’t use yarn for a header, I use cardboard separators – I find that quick, easy and effective. Insert one separator in an up shed, next one in the down shed, beat and you’re good to go. When your project comes off the loom, you whip the cardboard out, easy.
But, if you want to use a yarn header – yes, most people use a slightly thicker yarn, it is calculated into the waste allowance when you do your initial calculations. If using yarn, it is not part of the project, it gets removed at the end when you take your piece off the loom.
Hope that helps!
Hope that helps!
Hi Kelly, sorry I changed your name, Thanks for the reply. I’ll be using the the cardboard. I will also be registering for some of your classes, just not sure where to start.
Thanks Marie!
Hi Kelly, watched your video on slow learners last night, which helped me make up my mind about enrolling in your courses, but first a couple of questions. Please forgive me if they sound idiotic. First. I’ve watch so many of ur videos on YouTube and it appears that many of them are courses in ur school, so why do u charge for them? 2nd. In the classes, do u start from the basic beginning or do you just skip around. I need step by step and the ability to repeat the video if necessary and to get help from u if I’m still having trouble understanding eg calculations..3. I already have an 8 dent cricket, will I be able to use it during your course. I really don’t want to have to buy another. The yarn/ thread is not a problem. I want to do it all!! But like you said, I need to take a slow down pill and learn the basics, than work my way up to the more exciting aspects of weaving . Lastly, does the subscription to ur newsletter come with membership or it separate.
Hi Marie,
1. Some of my Youtube tutorials are available in my Online Weaving School as free classes as some people prefer to view them there. Most of my classes are actual classes and not available on Youtube. Also, if you purchase a membership, you get to join the member’s group, leave comments in the classes and receive additional email support from me.
2. There are all different classes for all different levels. If you need a beginner’s class, the Woe to Go Beginner Rigid Heddle class is perfect. All of my students receive personal support from me if they need it.
3. Yes, your Cricket with an 8 dent is fine, many of my students use the same. My loom has a 7.5 dent heddle but the projects are easily adjusted. You may find as you go along that you want to add some other heddles to your collection – I find a 10 dent is particularly helpful.
My newsletter is separate to the Online Weaving School memberships. The newsletter is free to sign up to.
I hope this answers your questions, but feel free to ask for further clarification if you need it 😊
I am a new rigid heddle weaver and I am looking for instructions on how to read a weaving draft/chart. Can you help me?
Hi Kathy,
I do have a class on how to read weaving drafts, but it’s a members only class. Are you looking for information or reading a rigid heddle draft or more complicated draft?
Hi Kelly,
Excellent post on “Rigid Heddle Weaving Patterns for Beginners” and is especially great how encouraging your post is!
A very minor comment: The commercial variegated Red Heart yarn that’s linked to in this post is “Heart & Sole” instead of “Jellybeans”, which is one of the color names for the Red Heart – Heart & Sole yarn.
Happy weaving, Jude
Thanks for pointing that out Jude!
What great information! And all in one place. I began my weaving journey in May and because of you and your lessons, it’s been a very productive 7 months. I’ve surprised myself with what I’ve learned and accomplished. Thank you so much, Kelly, for sharing your expertise with the weaving community!
Great to have you along on the journey Terri!