Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Gift Guide

Weavers Gift Guide 2026 🎄

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If you’re shopping for a weaver this Christmas, you may be wondering what to get them. Weaving is such a creative and rewarding hobby, and there are so many tools and goodies that make thoughtful presents!

Whether you’re buying for a beginner who is interested in getting started in weaving or a seasoned weaver who seems to have everything, this guide will help you find the perfect gift.

Here are some Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas for Weavers that range from practical tools to fun little luxuries and extras.

1. Beautiful Shuttles

Every weaver needs shuttles – and it’s super handy to have extras.

Stick shuttles are affordable, easy to load with yarn and effective to weave with. I recommend getting stick shuttles that are already lacquered, unless you plan to lacquer them yourself. Lacquered shuttles glide beautifully through the warp without resistance.

Handmade wooden boat shuttles are not only functional but can also be a work of art. Look for shuttles in unique woods, ergonomic design and skilled craftsmanship for a truly special gift.

I love my personal collection of hand crafted boat shuttles from Pickers Ridge. They are carefully crafted in Australia from sustainably sourced wood and are a delight to use. Their wonderful belt shuttles are also the ultimate luxury for discerning weavers.

Pickers Ridge ship internationally too 😉

2. A special selection of weaving yarn

I don’t think you can go too far wrong with yarn as a gift for a weaver!

Rather than buying everyday yarn, why not choose something a little more luxurious or unusual? Silk, linen, wool and interesting blends can provide inspiration for all sorts of new projects.

A beautiful cone or ball of yarn can be the starting point for an entirely new project, and sometimes that’s the best kind of gift.

Yarn Suggestions:

Superfine Merino Weaving Yarn

Wool/Silk Weaving Yarn

Cottolin Weaving Yarn

Organic Hemp Weaving Yarn

Malabrigo Sock Yarn

3. Lojan Flex Loom

The Lojan Flex rigid heddle loom is a brilliant weaving loom option as you can purchase different sizes of heddle segments without having to buy a new reed every time. The Flex rigid heddle loom is sturdy and pairs beautifully with the floor stand.

Not only that – this loom is completely convertible. A Flex Conversion kit can be purchased to turn your rigid heddle loom into a 4 or 8 shaft table loom. The Flex is actually my favourite table loom now, and it takes my under one minute to switch it back to it’s rigid heddle configuration, so I have the best of both worlds. Again, I highly recommend the floor stand for weaving comfort.

I’m a reseller for Lojan in Australia, so feel free to contact me with enquiries.

4. Handy Weaving Tools

Small tools make perfect stocking stuffers and are great lower cost gifts. Think: weaving combs, beaters, threading hooks, tapestry needles, or a good pair of scissors.

Here are some of my favourite handy tools that are in constant use in my studio:

Bent tip tapestry needle – wonderful for weaving in tails off the loom, hemstitching, hand seaming and embroidery on the loom.

Double ended threading hook – I love these hooks so much because they sit flat, they are flexible, easy to store, affordable and they are two tools in one!

Dressmakers shears – Sharp scissors are an essential for weavers. What I love about dressmakers shears is they are nice and long for cutting warps off the loom and also indispensable for weavers who love to cut and sew with their handwoven fabric.

5. Inspiring Books

There are so many wonderful weaving books available! A weaving book can spark fresh ideas, keep creativity flowing and teach brand new techniques.

Books play a huge role in my own creative life – ok, confession time, I’m a little addicted to books! They are such a wonderful way to learn and inspire, and they align perfectly with my learning style.

Here are some of my personal favourites:

Rigid Heddle Weaving

The Weaver’s Idea Book – Jane Patrick

Inventive Weaving on a Little Loom – Syne Mitchell

Multi Shaft Weaving

The Handweaver’s Pattern Directory – Anne Dixon

Next Steps in Weaving – Patty Graver

Inkle Weaving

The Weaver’s Inkle Pattern Directory – Anne Dixon

In Celebration of Plain Weave – Annie Machale

Band Weaving

The Bandweaver’s Project Book – Heather Torgenrud

Backstrap Weaving

Backstrap Weaving – Barbara Taber, Marilyn Anderson

6. Online Classes or Memberships

The gift of learning never goes out of style! An online weaving course or membership (like my Premium Level Membership) makes a thoughtful present for a weaver who loves to expand their skills.

Over at the Online Weaving School you will find a huge array of weaving classes for a variety of weaving disciplines and levels.

Students can learn in their own time and in the comfort of their own home – no commuting long distances for expensive in person classes. They also receive one on one support when needed.

Gift vouchers are available, so consider giving the precious gift of learning to a weaver today!

7. Yarn Storage & Organization

Yarn has a way of multiplying! Help your favourite weaver stay organised with a yarn bowl, project or rigid heddle loom bag, or beautiful storage basket.

If you have noticed that the weaver in your life has a collection of heddles with nowhere to keep them when not in use, a heddle rack could be the perfect solution. Or, if you’re handy with woodworking, you could follow these simple plans to make one.

With trends in home organisation being a very popular topic these days, it is easy to find all kinds of storage solutions for weavers. For more ideas, check out this detailed resource.

8. Finishing and Yarn Tools

Fringe twisters, Strucket for easy wet finishing and draining, or a basic sewing machine are practical gifts that make projects look polished and professional. These are the kinds of things many weavers don’t necessarily buy for themselves but are thrilled to receive.

To help your weaver become really proficient with yarn, here are two super helpful tools that can work together or individually:

  • Yarn Swift – If you have hanks or skeins of yarn rather than a ball or cake you will need to prepare it before weaving with it. Placing the skein on a yarn swift holds it in place for you and turns as you wind your ball. I have a Glimakra swift but they are harder to find these days. This one looks like a good alternative.
  • Ball Winder – You can thread your yarn from the yarn swift directly to the ball winder to make a yarn ball or cake. As you turn the handle of the ball winder, the swift also turns, feeding the yarn off so that the two tools work together seamlessly. I use my ball winder a LOT in my studio!

You can also find a swift and ball winder combo package.

9. Little Loom Fun

Little looms provide a lot of relaxing fun for the weaver and are usually much more affordable than a larger or more complicated loom.

The Zoom Loom is a type of pin loom by the Schacht company that allows you to weave small squares. You can keep it simple with plain weave or get more invested with patterning. The squares can be used for a huge variety of projects when sewn together to create larger pieces of fabric. I actually just purchased a Zoom Loom for myself, I’m having fun weaving squares and exploring patterning possibilities 😌

There are also pin loom weaving books available for extra learning and inspiration.

If you are interested in weaving bands, then an inkle loom is an excellent, lower budget tool to have. My favourite inkle loom is the Lojan Standard or the Lojan Complete Edition.

If you are interested in doing some more research on weaving in small spaces, check out this resource.

10. A New Loom or Gift Card

If you’re looking for a big-ticket present, you can’t go past a new loom! A rigid heddle loom, a table loom, or even a floor loom will make their Christmas unforgettable. For those hard-to-shop-for weavers, a gift card or certificate from their favourite weaving supplier is always a safe bet.

*This article contains affiliate links. For further information, please see my disclosure policy.

🎁 Final Tip: If you’re a weaver yourself, don’t forget to share this list with family and friends so they know exactly what’s on your wish list this year!

I hope you find this list helpful and valuable.

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Weaving gifts for kids

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You’ve seen the Weavers Gift Guide for this year, but how about sharing the joy of weaving with the next generation? Here you will find some awesome ideas for weaving gifts for kids!

I have never met a child who was not interested in having a go at weaving. It may start with them looking over your shoulder to see what you’re doing. Or they see a loom and just have to know what that is and how it works.

Children are naturally curious

Children are the perfect weaving students because they are so naturally curious (how about we learn from that and remember that curiosity that lead us to discover so many wonderful things as a child?)

Kids also learn really quickly! Have you noticed that it’s more difficult to learn new things as you get older?

If you are a parent of a younger child, a grandparent, a relative, and educator or you just happen to have children in your life, don’t deprive them of the joy you experience from weaving – share it!

Gift ideas for children

  1. Lacing toys or cards

My kids absolutely loved lacing activities when they were young. Lacing may not be the first skill you think of when thinking about weaving, but it makes perfect sense.

Lacing is wonderful for helping develop fine motor skills, hand eye co-ordination and problem solving. It also helps a child to gain confidence when they can finish a lacing. They can start with a super simple one and move their way up (only if they enjoy the activity, of course!)

There are so many fun lacing toys available now. I wish that these cute little sets were available when my kids were young!

As well as wooden toys, there are also lacing cards available. I found this Hungry Caterpillar set which looks really fun and who doesn’t love Eric Carle’s Very Hungry Caterpillar?

2. Potholder/Pin loom

These little looms are great for kids as they are a very simple set up and come with everything you need to weave squares or potholders. A kit like this one has plenty of ready made craft loops to start weaving right away as well as a box to keep all the pieces in.

If you’re not a fan of plastic looms, there are also metal potholder looms available and these obviously would be longer lasting.

If you enjoy hand making gifts, you may be interested in making a potholder loom. This is a very basic and affordable project, check out my instruction project here.

Speaking of hand making a loom, did you know you can weave with some basic cardboard? Learn how to do that here.

3. Simple frame loom

Simple frame looms make a great gift for kids. They are usually small, portable and affordable. The size of a loom like this can make it feel more achievable for a child.

Projects are limited to the size of the loom, but pieces of woven fabric can always be joined. A child could make small projects like doll blankets, mug rugs and bookmarks with a loom like this.

My girls used a simple frame loom and they loved digging into my yarn stash to see what colours and variety they could find.

An older child can learn to warp a loom like this on their own quite quickly.

4. Large standing frame loom

This is a slight step up from the simple frame loom already mentioned in that it is larger and comes with detachable feet so that the loom can be used upright.

I recently purchased the Melissa and Doug Multi Craft Weaving Loom to try out and let my Youtube audience know my thoughts. You can view that video here:

The main advantage of a loom like this is the versatility, it can be configured to weave smaller or larger items. I like the grooves set into the top and bottom of the loom that hold the warp in place really well – no jumping off the pegs as you’re trying to warp or weave. The grooves also allow you to tension the warp better than with some other frame looms I’ve used.

This loom kit is really geared towards children as it comes with some bright and soft rainbow yarn, extra warping yarn and printed cardboard strips for picture weaving. There is a large wooden needle for ease of weaving.

5. Lavievert toy loom

The Lavievert toy loom is a super fun option for the older child weaver. The younger child could also use it, but would need help with a number of aspects.

This is a really cool little loom and is still very much in the affordable weaving category. You can make a longer warp and there are 2 rigid heddles that are manipulated easily at the top of the loom.

The construction is still simple with this loom (it’s actually pretty ingenious!) but gives the child a more realistic loom weaving experience.

You can check out all the resources I’ve made using this loom here:

I bought a toy loom! Was it worth it?

I wove a blanket on a toy loom!

6. Rigid heddle loom

A rigid heddle loom would be perfect for the child who has shown an ongoing interest in weaving. It is a larger investment, so it would need to be a well considered gift.

I purchase a Sampleit loom for my girls when they were younger as they were always seeing me weave on my rigid heddle loom. Because my loom was always busy I thought it would be great fun for them to have a smaller version they could use whenever they wanted to.

They had a great time with the Sampleit and wove all kinds of smaller pieces with it. They loved thinking about what they wanted to weave and then designing a project from scratch.

A Sampleit would also be a great option for a weaver who has grandchildren visit. It can be tucked away without using up too much space and you have the added bonus of using it yourself when it’s not needed 😉

This post contains affiliate links. For further information, please see my disclosure policy.

Not just for kids!

While this weaving gift guide is aimed at children, these tools can also very much be used by adults or anyone who is interested.

I hope this has been helpful to you and if you have any questions about my gift recommendations, let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Gift Guide for Weavers 2024

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It’s that wonderful time of year again, which means it’s also time for a new gift guide for weavers!

Welcome to the Gift Guide for Weavers, 2024!

This year I’m ordering the guide from lowest to highest price so you can jump to where your budget is currently at. Gifts most definitely do not have to be expensive but for some of you it may be the right time to purchase that upgrade or tool you’ve been wanting.

I don’t think I can every begin a new gift guide without making this one the first item:

  1. The Clover Jumbo Bent Tip Tapestry Needles are one of my favourite and most used tools in my weaving studio! They are perfect for hemstitching or embellishing a piece on the loom and weaving in ends off the loom. 

I use them for hand sewing pieces of hand woven fabric together too. They are also super affordable, making them the perfect stocking stuffer.

2. That Purple Thang

I never knew these things existed until one of my students (hi Sandy!) very kindly sent me one. Yes, I had to read the label to find out what it was and now it’s an indispensable tool in my studio.

If you enjoy sewing your handwoven fabric with a sewing machine, you will love this low cost tool. It is a multi purpose tool but what I love to use it for most is to help run my fabric through the machine and press down seams as I go over them with the machine.

Sounds simple, but I used to use my finger for the job this tool is now doing for me! I’m happy to have my precious fingers much safer now.

3. Lavievert Toy Loom

I bought my first toy loom as an experiment. I was curious to know, firstly – would it work and secondly, what could I weave on one?

Well, after playing around with my toy loom for some time I have been very pleasantly surprised!

A toy loom like this is a great way to get into weaving for a small financial outlay. It is simple to learn how to use, it tensions a warp very well and pleasant to weave on.

It is a small loom, so it does have it’s limitations but it’s such a fun way to get started.

I have a number of resources available for this loom:

I bought a toy loom! Was it worth it?

I wove a blanket on a toy loom!

4. Weaving Books

I am a huge book lover and my weaving book library is quite extensive (but there is always room for more! 😉) Weaving books are really invaluable to weavers and make a wonderful gift too.

My favourite rigid heddle books can be found in this post. And my favourite multi shaft books can be found in this post. I have many weaving books listed in my Amazon store too.

5. Ashford Table Loom Shuttle Race

This product was just released recently and is very popular with the table loom weavers! The shuttle race prevents the shuttle from diving through the warp, which can be so frustrating! Available for new and older Ashford table looms in a variety of sizes, this will be a game changer for some table loom weavers!

6. Ashford XL Boat Shuttle

Another new and wonderful product from Ashford is this larger sized boat shuttle. I am absolutely loving using this with my larger countermarch loom and will definitely be utilising it with my Louet David loom as well.

7. Ashford Inkle Loom

An inkle loom is a great gift for so many reasons. It’s one of the most affordable and portable looms. It also allows the weaver to have a dedicated band loom without taking up space on another loom. You can be weaving a project on one loom while weaving a band to match on the inkle loom!

For an even cooler gift opportunity, Ashford has an inkle loom available as a kit that includes the loom, some cotton yarn and a wonderful inkle weaving book to get started with.

8. Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom

My very first rigid heddle loom was given to me as a gift from my husband! So of course, I’m a huge advocate for gifting RH looms 😊 This loom is still constantly in use in my studio.

There is a huge variety of sizes available to suit every budget and size requirements. I have a guide for new rigid heddle weavers here.

9. Louet David Floor Loom

It’s no secret that I love my David floor loom! It’s compact, modern and gives you a true floor loom weaving experience. I have a review of this loom here if you want to find out more.

10. Online Weaving School Gift Voucher

The weaving school is the perfect place to get started in your weaving journey. There is a huge variety of classes available as well as memberships. Classes include rigid heddle, inkle loom, table loom and floor loom, so there is something for everyone.

To purchase a class as a gift, you simply choose “send as a gift” at checkout plus fill in the name and email of the recipient – this is how it looks:

The recipient then receives an email with instructions for how to use the gift link.

Well, I hope all of you have a wonderfully happy Christmas and maybe even receive some new weaving goodies!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

Weavers Gift Guide 2023

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Wait, no, it’s Christmas time? Again? Didn’t we just have that?!

Jokes aside, it is almost that wonderful time of year (and yes, it’s been the speediest year ever!) and time to think about gifts for friends, loved ones and, of course – ourselves! 😀

This year I’m ordering the guide from lowest to highest price so you can jump to where your budget is currently at. Gifts most definitely do not have to be expensive but for some of you it may be the right time to purchase that upgrade or tool you’ve been wanting.

My biggest tips for this gift guide? Leave your computer/laptop open and on display, that way family members are sure to see it 😉😉😉

  1. The Clover Jumbo Bent Tip Tapestry Needles are one of my favourite and most used tools in my weaving studio! They are perfect for hemstitching or embellishing a piece on the loom and weaving in ends off the loom.

They are also super affordable, making them the perfect stocking stuffer.

2. Glocusent Neck Reading Light

I posted about my neck reading light on Instagram during the year and the crowd went wild! These lights have been a game changer for me in a variety of crafts because you can direct the light to exactly where you need it.

There are 3 light intensity levels, the arms are flexible and they are rechargeable (I don’t charge mine very often, one charge lasts for ages).

These are another really affordable gift that will make a big difference to someone!

3. Weaving books

Weaving books make an excellent gift. Here are some of my personal favourites. For rigid heddle weavers, I always recommend Jane Patrick’s The Weaver’s Idea Book. For table or floor loom weavers I recommend Anne Dixon’s Handweaver’s Pattern Directory for a huge library of weaving drafts and Pattie Graver’s Next Steps in Weaving for seriously inspiring ideas and projects.

Ashford Weaving Starter Kit

This is a great gift option for someone who is curious about weaving but may not want to leap right into investing in something like a rigid heddle loom.

It’s true that you can find cheaper weaving frames on Amazon, but you do get what you pay for. With the Ashford frame loom, you are guaranteed a good quality, sturdy frame and you also have the bonus of receiving some lovely New Zealand wool in bright colours to get you started.

4. Schacht End Feed Shuttle

This shuttle has been a game changer for me when weaving a wide warp on my floor loom. The yarn feeds off a pirn and is tensioned from the end of the shuttle, making neat edges and appropriate weft tensioning really easy. It glides beautifully and is a joy to use, I bought the 15″.

5. The Schacht Cricket Quartet

The Quartet came out during the year and made quite a splash in the weaving world with it’s innovation and forward thinking.

The idea behind the Quartet is that you can take your regular 15″ Cricket rigid heddle loom and upgrade it to a 4 shaft loom (similar to a table loom) with the 4 shaft conversion kit. A pretty cool idea!

One thing I want to say about the Quartet is that I think it’s a great option if you already have the 15″ Cricket and want to explore further. However, if you’re looking to start with a 4 shaft loom, I would recommend looking at table looms as once you add the price of the Cricket to the Quartet conversion kit, you are looking at a fairly similar price to a table loom. Just some food for thought.

6. Louet Jane 16 Shaft Table Loom

Speaking of table looms, Louet has just announced the brand new 16 shaft Jane, which is currently available for pre-order.

Previously this loom was available with up to 8 shafts, so this is an exciting move for those weavers who want to explore more shafts.

The new 16 shaft Jane is available in a 50cm or 70cm weaving width and is a true luxury gift!

I hope that this gift guide has inspired you with some weaving gift ideas!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

*This post contains affiliate links. For further information, please see my disclosure policy.

2021 Gift Guide

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As always, Christmas has arrived very quickly this year, but considering it’s one of the best times of the year, I don’t mind at all!

It’s also a lovely time to either treat yourself (yes, you are totally allowed to buy gifts for yourself, I give you permission!) or be treated with a weaving related gift.

This year I’ve decided to arrange the guide according to weaving types and categories, that way you can just hop straight to the section (or sections, nudge, nudge, wink, wink!) that is relevant to you.

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

At the end of the list, I’m also going to list my personal favourite suppliers so you can click and check out all the wonderful weaving and fibre arts related supplies they have available.

In no particular order, here we go!

Rigid heddle weavers

Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom

The available widths are 16, 24, 32, 48″ so this gives plenty of choice for budget and weaving goals.

The Weaver’s Idea Book by Jane Patrick

This book remains one of my favourite rigid heddle books. It was the first RH book I ever bought and it is definitely my most used!

Weaving Project Kit

This makes a great gift for a weaver because it allows them to do what they do best, but the hard work is taken out of it for them. Many kits come with pre-measured warps, all the colours and yarn amounts are taken care of plus instructions for a project are provided.

Online Weaving School Gold Membership

Gain access to the full online class library of 70+ classes. Learn in your own time, in the comfort of your own home. Many rigid heddle classes are available!

Inkle weavers

Ashford full sized Inkle or Inklette loom.

Both are excellent options, depending on budget and the size of band you want to achieve. I have the full sized inkle and I do recommend a larger size if you can afford as it just gives you more wiggle room.

Weaver’s Inkle Pattern Directory by Anne Dixon

Just an awesome book, simple enough for beginner inkle weavers and complex enough for those who are more advanced. It includes over 400 patterns and a huge variety of weaves to explore (not just plain weave).

Annie MacHale’s Etsy Shop

Annie has been inkle weaving a really long time and she knows her stuff! Her Etsy shop contains her books and inkle supplies.

Inkle Weaving on an Inkle Loom Online Course

My online course takes you right from the beginning to ensure the student will successfully weave their first inkle band!

Tablet Weaving Cards

A lot inkle weavers will naturally branch into tablet weaving, as it offers even more and intricate patterning possibilities. If you already have an inkle loom, all you need is a pack of cards to get started.

For the weaver who wants to fast track their learning, my Tablet Weaving on an Inkle Loom is the perfect gift!

Band weavers

Historically, bands were woven with simple materials and often used body tensioning in conjunction with environmental items (eg. a tree trunk) to tie onto or around.

A band weaving kit is a great way to get started if you don’t want the investment of purchasing an actual loom just for bands. There are different styles, but the basic Saami weaving setup uses a small heddle (similar to a rigid heddle) made of plastic or wood. The warp is attached to the body with a band and tensioned around another object.

If you are hesitant to buy a loom or just like the idea of stripping your weaving right back to basics, this could be a great option for you.

Weaving Patterned Bands by Susan Foulkes

Disclaimer – I do not own this book, but if I wanted to get started in Band Weaving I would purchase this book.

Norwegian Band Weaving by Heather Torgenrud

I do own this most excellent book, but for absolute beginners, I would first recommend the previous book. This book is very extensive, very inspiring and contains a plethora of patterns and ideas.

Tapestry weavers

Mirrix Tapestry Looms are awesome, I love my Big Sister. The tension is excellent, they are well made and thought out by an actual tapestry weaver, and it is so great to have a dedicated tapestry loom so that lengthy projects aren’t taking up space on other looms.

If you would like to learn more about Mirrix, read my interview with Claudia Chase. I also have a review of my Mirrix Big Sister here.

If you are interested in playing around with tapestry on your rigid heddle loom, check out my Tapestry on a Rigid Heddle Loom Class.

Tapestry beater

While you can get away with using a household item like a fork or comb to beat down your weft, if you want to do it in style with a purpose built tool, a tapestry beater is a beautiful piece of equipment and quite affordable. I like the look of the Navajo beaters, I think I need one of those on my Christmas Wishlist!

Floor/ Table loom weavers

It’s hard to know where to start in this category, as the choices are enormous. I’ll go with what I know and have used myself.

David by Louet

My floor loom is an 8 shaft, 35″, sinking shed David 2 by Louet. This loom was indeed gifted to me by my husband as my very first floor loom! This is the kind of luxury gift to be remembered, the initial investment is large but the years of enjoyment and learning are worth the cost in my opinion!

Ashford 8 shaft table loom

Available in 16, 24 or 32″, I have owned a 32″ in the past (I sold it to help fund the floor loom!) and now own a 16″, which is perfect for teaching classes, weaving samples and narrower projects like scarves. These are great looms, relatively easy to set up and learn on, and a great bridging step between a rigid heddle and floor loom.

The Handweaver’s Pattern Directory

Yes, I talk about this book all the time and that is because it’s SO good! My most used multi shaft weaving book, for sure. It’s not a “how to weave” book but rather is full of 4 shaft patterns and techniques, as the title says, it really is a directory.

Learn to weave on a floor loom online class

This is my online class that helps weavers get started on a floor loom. It is very comprehensive, step by step and designed to help the student gain confidence and fall in love with their loom!

Learn to weave on a table loom online class

This is one of my mega popular classes and has rave reviews! For beginner table loom weavers or those who just feel they need help to get going.

Boat shuttles

These make a great gift for a weaver. Every multi shaft weaver needs one, and buying a boat shuttle will not break the bank. I still use the two Ashford boat shuttles I bought with my first floor loom and they have been fine, but I encourage you to look around and see what is available – there are a lot of shuttles out there, all at different price points and specifications.

Now, for my favourite suppliers!

The Woolery

My Amazon Shop

Thread Collective

Knit Spin Weave

If you are interested in my Weaver’s Gift Guides from previous years, you will find 2020 here and 2019 here.

I hope this guide has been helpful to you! If you have questions about any of the items in the guide, I’m more than happy to advise, just pop your comment down below and I’ll respond.

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Krokbragd Patterns Interview and Giveaway!

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Have you all met Debby Greenlaw before? I hope you have, but if not, you may want to read over this post where I reviewed Debby’s first book, the wonderful “Krokbragd – How to Design and Weave”.

*This post contains affiliate links. For further information, please see my disclosure policy.

I am so excited to share the news that Debby has written and released a brand new follow up krokbragd book, titled “Krokbragd Patterns”.

I am doubly excited to announce that, thanks to Debby’s generosity, one of you lucky readers will have the chance to win a personally signed copy of Krokbragd Patterns! Entry details are available at the end of this post.

I thought it the perfect time to have a chat with Debby so that you can all get to know her a little better and find out more about the new book, so grab a cup of tea and get comfy!

Thank you for taking the time to be my blog guest today 😊 Can you start by telling us a little about your weaving journey so far?

“Weaving was my entry into the wonderful world of fiber arts. I am a relatively “late bloomer” in this area, not starting the journey until I retired in 2016 after a 40+ year career as a nurse/nurse practitioner. I purchased an Ashford Sampleit loom at a local fiber festival just to see if I would like this weaving thing . . . I loved it. That lead to a floor loom, a dye garden, a spinning wheel, and eventually knitting needles and crochet hooks!”

What looms do you have and which one gets the most use?

“I have a Leclerc Nilus 4-shaft floor loom, a Kromski Harp Forte rigid heddle, and a Louët Jane 8-shaft table loom. By far the Jane gets used the most!“

You are perhaps most well known for your krokbragd weaving. What is about krokbragd that you love?

“First, I’m drawn to the Scandinavian aesthetic. My heritage says I’m German through and through, but I think there must be some Norse hidden in there. I love the simplicity of design and the color combinations of Scandinavian weaving. Krokbragd embodies both of those characteristics.”

Your first book, “Krokbragd: How to Design and Weave” had been immensely popular. What lead you to write a book all about krokbragd?

“Simply, there wasn’t a book written on the subject. In fact, several years ago, there were very limited resources available on krokbragd. I saw a social media post that said, “someone should write a book,” and I thought I can do that!”

You are just about to release your second book, “Krokbragd Patterns”. Did you decide to write a follow up book based on the feedback received from your first book? What excites you the most  about this book?

“You’re absolutely correct.  I received emails, comments, and even a review asking for a krokbragd pattern book.  

Hmmm . . . what excites me the most. It would have to be the test weavers. Eighteen delightful women answered my request to be test weavers for the book’s projects. Seeing my designs come alive in their talented hand was so exciting. Their feedback, enthusiasm, and encouragement were invaluable to me during the designing and writing process.”

You are blessed to live in a beautiful location. How do you most enjoy spending your days? What should visitors to your region look out for as a “must do”?

“God has graciously blessed my husband and me with a beautiful place to live, a small farm in rural South Carolina. We share our space with 21 dairy goats, a mini donkey, chickens, a barn kitty, and a playful pup! There are many routine farm chores to keep up with, along with the occasional urgency/emergency. I’ve found my nurse practitioner skills translate well to farm animals! In addition to fiber arts, I also like to garden.  

South Carolina is diverse in natural beauty. It is one of the smaller U.S. states but stretches from the seashore to the mountains. It is also rich in history and historical sites and gardens.”

You can find more great weaving information on Debby’s blog, Flora & Fiber. Books can be purchased through the blog, on Amazon or in selected stores.

Purchase Krokbragd – How to Design and Weave

Purchase Krokbragd Patterns

Now, about that giveaway! To enter, leave a comment below that describes why you would love to win a signed copy of Krokbragd Patterns. If your comment doesn’t show up right away, don’t worry, I will approve it when I see it (I have to keep those spammers at bay!)

Open to anyone worldwide.

I will draw the lucky winner on the Saturday 17th of April, 2021.

  • THE GIVEAWAY HAS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER, CHERI SUTHERLAND!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Weaver’s Gift Guide 2020

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2020 has been a pretty rough year for most of us. I am so looking forward to celebrating Christmas and enjoying the festive season!

Our family of 6 will be reuniting to celebrate Christmas together after being separated from our son due to COVID lockdown for most of this year. I can’t wait for that!

One thing that 7 months of lockdown prompted me to do was to buy all those weaving books (ahem, OK, they weren’t just weaving books) I had always wanted. I don’t feel the need to tell you how many books have landed on my doorstep this year, but lets just say that I’m a lot more challenged for bookshelf space now than I was at the start of the year!

*This post contains affiliate links. For further information, check out my disclosure policy here.

Books make the most fabulous gifts though, so I’m going to be including a few of my personal favourites in this 2020 Weaver’s Gift Guide.

If you’re looking for fictional books to dive into (heads up, I’m a big classics fan!) you can find a list of suggestions in the Book Lovers section of my Amazon Shop.

If you need further inspiration, why not also check out last year’s Weaver’s Gift Guide?

Without further ado, let us launch into the gift guide! Items are in no particular order 😉

  1. Ashford Sampleit Loom

I have used my Sampleit a LOT this year, in fact it has rarely been without a warp on it’s sweet little frame. I have found it so perfect for not only sampling (which it is absolutely perfectly sized for) but also for weaving smaller projects. Would you believe that my Rainbow Lap Blanket was woven entirely on my 10″ Sampleit?!

Another thing I love about my Sampleit is that it’s so small and light it hangs on some hooks mounted on the wall when it’s not in use. I hang it up whether it has a warp on it or not. Easy and efficient storage!

I use mine without a stand, but stands are available.

A little loom is a great way for a new weaver to dip their toes into the weaving world without making a big financial investment.

The Ashford Sampleit comes in two sizes – a 10″ and a 16″.

2. Lacis Cards

I just started card weaving this year and I must admit I’m pretty hooked! I use my inkle loom to weave bands with cards, but rigid heddle looms and body tensioning can work too. Card weaving is so cool and there are so many variations on patterns that you can weave – I’ve only just scratched the surface and look forward to doing much more. The Lacis cards are really great – they are durable, have a light, shiny coating that allows easy turning of the cards, they are a good size for your hands and the holes are marked with A, B, C and D to help you keep track during threading and turning.

Another great card weaving resource is Candace Crockett’s book Card Weaving. Candace puts her instructions in laymen’s terms so they are really easy to follow. It’s a great book to start out card weaving with. The book + a pack of cards = a wonderful weaving gift!

3. Fringe Twister

Many newer and seasoned weavers would appreciate the gift of a fringe twister. If you have been twisting fringes by hand (or know a weaver who has) a fringe twister is an absolute game changer!

I own the LeClerc fringe twister with 4 clips. The more clips you have, the more fringe you can twist at once. I’ve had my twister for many years now and it is in constant use. It still functions just like new.

4. Rosie’s Flexible Tablet Holder for Loom

A little disclaimer here – I do not own one of these. But as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to include it in this year’s gift guide. Why?

Because I knew it would be the perfect thing for so many of my students! Many students watch my classes on their iPad or tablet and actually follow along with instructions whilst seated at the loom.

This tablet holder can attach directly to your loom or table, and it has a flexible arm so that you can get the positioning of the tablet just right.

It’s also surprisingly affordable for such a task specific tool. I love it!

The Smart Phone Holder is also available.

5. Clover Jumbo Bent Tip Tapestry Needles

Ok, I’m a weirdo, but seriously, these needles have changed my life! At least when it comes to hemstitching. I’ve written about these needles previously, but for a quick re-cap, I love them because:

  • They have a coating that is just slippery enough. They glide through hand woven fabric like they were born to do it.
  • The bent tip makes them ergonomically wonderful to use – less stress on your hands and wrists.
  • They are a great size for holding and using.
  • They are cheap to buy/
  • They come in a 2 pack, just in case you lose one, which is unlikely because they are gold.
  • Did I mention they are gold?! 🤩

6. Weaving Books

It’s hard to know where to start with books, as the weaving world has been SO blessed with an abundance of excellent weaving books. Here are just a few of the books that are in my personal library:

Rigid Heddle Weaving:

The Weaver’s Idea Book, Jane Patrick

Inkle Weaving:

The Weaver’s Inkle Pattern Directory, Anne Dixon

Multi Shaft Weaving:

The Handweaver’s Pattern Directory, Anne Dixon

Card Weaving:

Card Weaving, Candace Crockett

Tapestry:

Tapestry Weaving, Kirsten Glasbrook

The Art of Tapestry Weaving, Rebecca Mezoff

7. Yarn!

Once again, there are just so many choices for weavers when it comes to yarn. But if you’re looking for gifts for weavers, here are a few of my favourites:

Maurice Brassard 8/2 cotton

Maurice Brassard 8/2 cottolin

Maurice Brassard 8/2 tencel

Maurice Brassard 8/2 bamboo

You may have noticed I’m a bit of a Maurice Brassard fan! Their yarns are affordable, reliable and beautiful so I use them a lot.

8/2 tencel that I hand dyed

8. Laptop and iPad Skins

Well, if we’re going to use tech we might as well make it look good, and what better way than to slap some beautiful weaving on it?

My Society6 store has a huge range of printed weaving themed items, from coffee mugs to doormats, tote bags to greeting card, face masks to bath mats. It’s crazy just how many different items are available in my shop there, take a look!

9. Dressmaker’s Shears

My dressmaker’s shears are one of my most valued tools in my weaving studio. That feeling of finishing your weaving and cutting the warp off with beautifully sharp shears is just wonderful. Using dull scissors can be a huge frustration when you are cutting yarn all the time. And if you happen to sew with your hand woven fabric, a good pair of dressmaking shears is an absolute must.

In my opinion it is worth spending a little more on a good pair. I have had my Stag 9.5″ dressmaking shears for around 10 years. Strangely, this brand does not seem to be readily available nowadays, but I’ve read some rave reviews on Kai shears.

I simply have my shears sharpened every 2 – 3 years and they work perfectly. Sharpening only costs around $10AUD, so it’s a cheap way to maintain a sharp edge.

10. Tape Measures

Most days you will see me with a tape measure slung around my neck, and if not, it’s never far away. I have an assortment of tape measures so that I always have quick access. My tape measures are all inch plus metric measurements and I use both at various times.

You can go with the standard, basic tape measure or something cute and novel. I have both!

Basic tape measures.

Cute tape measures

11. Last, but not least, I couldn’t finish the Gift Guide without mentioning my Online Weaving School. Perhaps it’s time to give yourself the gift of weaving through the huge number of classes available. If you want to dive right in, a membership is the perfect option. Or, if you’re dipping your toes in, you may want to purchase single classes. The choice is yours!

Here is what students are saying:

“I love, love, love my gold class membership! I love that I have access to all the wonderful classes any time I want to watch them. Kelly is a fabulous teacher. She explains things in such a straightforward and understandable way, learning is much easier. A great bonus is the weaving community that comes with the gold membership. How wonderful to be able to encourage each other.”

Lori

“For the first time, I am seeing exactly how to do the things I keep reading about or see “snippets” of in other videos. Kelly explains and demonstrates each and every step, making it easy and enjoyable to do my weavings. She’s real, and down to earth. She’s not trying to “impress”, or show off her skills like I have seen in other videos. I truly do recommend Kelly Casanova to any and all who wish to enhance their Textile and Fibre Arts.“

Pamela

You can also gift memberships to others, simply contact me for more information.

Well, I certainly hope this Gift Guide has inspired you and something (or somethings) have caught your eye.

Whatever your are doing during this festive season, I pray that you be blessed with peace and joy and surrounded with love ❤️🎄🙏🏻

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Rigid Heddle Loom cost comparisons

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It can be so hard to know where to start when you’re in the market for a new rigid heddle loom, especially if it is to be your first ever loom.
 
 

Having only used Ashford rigid heddle looms, it is not really within my scope to compare different looms from a practical perspective. I can’t in fairness give appraisals of looms I have not used (though I’ve made it pretty clear that I love my Ashford!)

Cost is an important factor when considering your loom, and this is where I can help by offering a comparison of various looms and what will be included in the purchase cost.

Not all looms are going to be the same size, so I am going to compare looms of similar size but not always equal. I’m using Amazon for comparisons, but will use other sites if any particular loom is not available on Amazon.

*This post contains some affiliate links. This means that if you click and purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

These prices do not take into account any additional costs such as stands, extra tools or shipping. All prices are in U.S. dollars.

Please also note that most rigid heddle looms come flat packed in a box, so unless you pick one up in a store where an assembly service is offered (usually for a fee), you can expect to be putting the loom together yourself.

Let’s start with the first rigid heddle loom I ever bought and still use constantly.

Ashford 24″ Rigid Heddle Loom-

Listed at $225, this loom comes with a standard 7.5 dent heddle, warping peg, 2 clamps, a threading hook, 2 shuttles, cardboard warping sticks and an instruction booklet. Made from Silver beech hardwood in New Zealand. *Edited to add – this loom now comes with a built in warping board if you purchase the warping pegs separately.

Beka 24″ Rigid Heddle Loom-

Listed for $159.99. Comes with one 10 dent heddle, two stick shuttles, one pickup stick, a pair of heddle blocks, threading tool and complete instructions. SG series looms are made from Cherry wood and finished with Danish Oil.  Made in Minnesota, USA.

Schacht Flip Rigid Heddle Loom 25″

Listed at $335, this loom includes a 10-dent reed, warping peg, 2 shuttles, threading hook, and complete warping and weaving instructions. It is foldable and made in America from maple wood.

Glimakra Emilia Rigid Heddle Loom 18″

Listed for $279, this loom is made of birch and is foldable. It includes a 10 dent heddle, shuttle, warping peg, two clamps and a sleying and threading hook. Made in Sweden.

Kromski Harp Forte 16″

Prices starting at $279, this one is interesting. Kromski claim that you will not get a “complete package” with any other RH loom, and that seems to be true. This loom is designed to also be used as a warping board, I think that is quite innovative! I rarely warp my rigid heddle loom indirectly, so it’s not a feature that I would use, but for those who prefer to warp from a warping board, this is a really good deal. You don’t have the extra expense or purchasing a warping board separately and you don’t need the extra space. Smart! Kromski say that this loom also comes with a “warp helper” but I’m not sure what they mean by that.

The Harp is also foldable and as a bonus, the wood is already finished, so you can assemble right away.

A somewhat obscure loom is the Toika Siru Rigid Heddle Loom, 16″. Made in Finland in a classic raw wood, minimalist style, these looms start at around $260 USD.

These looms have an interesting design, with a metal bar and thick back cloth beam. They are foldable and seem to come standard with a double heddle block, which is handy for those wanting to use more than one heddle. You won’t generally find this loom for sale in the usual places (Amazon, large yarn or supplies stores) though other Toika looms are not too hard to find.

Leclerc Bergere Rigid Heddle Loom 24″

Price for this size is $285. This one comes with a blue boat shuttle! The Leclerc looks to be a very basic, sturdy design. I’m not sure what to think of the metal handles for tensioning, I feel like that may not be so comfortable.

This loom comes with extra warping blocks, lease sticks and extra shuttles, but doesn’t seem to include a reed or threading hook.

Erica by Louet.

I’m being a bit sneaky including the Erica by Louet in this list. It’s not actually a rigid heddle loom, but it is a 2 shaft table loom. So why include it in a rigid heddle comparisons list? Well, I get a massive number of messages from new weavers who are trying to decide between a rigid heddle loom and a table loom. I almost always recommend a rigid heddle (but not always, it depends on the circumstances of the person asking) but I would definitely not rule out something like the Erica. Here is why:

*It’s like a rigid heddle and table loom rolled into one. It has the same basic shape/frame and tensioning pegs as a RHL, but the “castle” (the upright part!), heddles, shafts and reed as a table loom.

*It’s a fantastic introduction to weaving on a table or floor loom. You have the functionality of a sturdy, upright loom with texsolv heddles without being overwhelmed by too many shafts.

*You have the option to upgrade later to 3 or 4 shafts, increasing the possibilities for your weaving.

With prices starting at $370USD, this is definitely a higher priced entry point loom, but still very reasonable for it’s capabilities.

*It’s foldable and light enough to pick up and put in the car for workshops, teaching or travelling.

I hope this collection has helped you to understand a little more about what you will pay when purchasing a new rigid heddle loom. If I have missed any, please mention them in the comments below!

Weaver’s Gift Guide!

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I can’t believe I’m writing a gift guide already, wasn’t last Christmas just like yesterday? Or the day before?

Well, I don’t mind at all if Christmas comes around super fast because it’s my favourite time of year. And not because of the gifts. Though gifts are nice.

*This post contains some (but not all) affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Because gifts are nice, here is a list of ideas for the weaver in your life. Or just for you, if you are the weaver. You’re allowed to buy yourself Christmas gifts too!

  1. Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom and stand

You had to expect that one! The perfect gift for a beginner weaver or someone who may want to upgrade to a larger size. This is the same loom and stand as my rigid heddle loom, the 24″ (if using this link, make sure you select the size you want before purchasing). Of course, you can go for just the loom without a stand, but I do really love my stand and recommend them for all weavers.

2. Enamel Weaving Pin The Creativity Patch

So cute, enough said!

3. Online Weaving Classes

It’s a great time to learn to weave (isn’t it always?!) or to take your weaving skills to the next level. Check out my Online Weaving School for single classes or memberships for all levels.

4. Mini shuttles by Polleda Textiles

These sweet mini shuttles can be used as an ornament or made into necklaces and earrings. They are hand crafted from a variety of woods and I think they’re just beautiful.

5. Wooden Shawl Pin, hand crafted.

This is definitely on my own personal wish list, as I love wearing shawls and larger woven pieces. I would love to have a whole collection of hand made shawl pins, they are both useful and beautiful.

6. Inkle Loom Kit

I love this idea to get a weaver started in inkle weaving. Everything you need to get going! You can’t go past this book for inkle patterns, it’s absolutely brilliant.

7. Bluster Bay weaving shuttles

Another one for my own personal Wishlist, yes these are pricey! But, I’ve heard very, very good things about them and think that one of these shuttles would be the ultimate indulgent gift for the weaver in your life.

8. Purl and Loop Swatch maker.

If you haven’t heard of a swatch maker before, it’s basically a quick and easy way to make samples without having to warp an entire loom. That makes it a winner in my opinion! This swatch kit also comes in acrylic for slightly lower price.

9. Ashford 8 shaft table loom

Having owned one of these myself (and regretting having sold it to make more room in my tiny studio!), I can testify as to the quality and ease of use of these looms. They come in various widths to suit your space, budget and weaving requirements. There is also the option to set up with a stand and treadles, if you want more of that floor loom experience.

10. Coffee Mugs

Because coffee, tea and weaving just go together! And why not have a weaving mug to sip out of while you’re weaving? Makes perfect sense to me! Each mug is double sided, one with text and the other a weaving picture. Lots of different colours available.

11. Weaving Kits

OK, so I might be blowing my own trumpet a little too much here, but I did really want to include my kits because they make the perfect gift for a weaver. In the Garden Path Scarf kit, you get all the Australian merino yarn you need for one scarf, plus a printed, step by step pattern. I have a bunch of different colours available and ship worldwide. If you don’t see a colour you’re after, let me know and I’ll do my best to get it for you. If you’re after just a digital pattern rather than a kit, visit my Etsy shop.

12. Gift Certificate

If you’re really not sure what your weaver would like to receive, a gift certificate is the perfect way to go. The Woolery in the US has a huge range of supplies and gift certificates are available. Here in Australia, Thread Collective is my go to for weaving yarn and Louet supplies and I also love Knit Spin Weave for yarn, Ashford supplies and looms.

I hope you find something here for the weaver in your life, or, if you are the weaver, perhaps a gift to yourself!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!