Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly casanova weaving lessons

Spring Table Runner Free Rigid Heddle Project!

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Winter is fast approaching us here in Australia, but for those in the Northern Hemisphere, you are looking forward to the mildness and beauty of Spring. It’s a wonderful time to be freshening up household linens and table decor with new hand wovens!
 
*This post contains affiliate links
 
The Spring Table Runner project was initially run as a weave along, but can of course be undertaken at any time. I chose light and pastel colours to give that spring feel and also embroidered a delicate spray of flowers on either end of the runner to really make it feel like Spring.

 
The table runner is woven with lovely thick and soft cotton for easy care. The design is worked by using colour in the warp and weft, plus some simple pick up for additional interest.
 
You can download the free, printable PDF for the Spring Table Runner right here-  
Spring-Table-RunnerPDFDownload

What you will need to complete this project:

*A rigid heddle loom, 20″ or wider

*A 7.5 dent reed/heddle

* 2 x stick shuttles, at least as long as the width of your project

*A pick up stick, longer than the width of your project

*A double ended reed and heddle hook or a separate threading hook and reed hook

I know that many of you do not have access to the same yarns that I do. Let’s have a look at some suitable yarns you could use to complete this project:

For the 10 ply/ worsted/aran weight:

Bendigo Woollen Mills Cotton 10 ply

Lily Sugar n Cream cotton

Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton

Knit Picks Dishie Worsted cotton

Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton

For the 8 ply/ light worsted/dk weight:

Bendigo Woollen Mills Cotton 8ply

Cestari Old Dominion 100% cotton

Maurice Brassard 8/8 cotton

Yarnsub.com is also an excellent resource for finding a variety of yarns with similar characteristics to what I used. It is a simple site to use, but if you’re unsure, here is an example:

On the homepage, enter into the search box the yarn than you wish to substitute. Here I’ve entered “Bendigo Woollen Mills 8ply cotton”.

Hit “enter” on your keyboard or click on the little spy glass. Choose the correct yarn from the list below. In this case, I will click the top yarn.

When you see this page, start scrolling down for all of the listed possible matches or near matches. This particular search gave 50 results!! You will see after each suggested yarn there is a percentage match – that will tell you how well the suggested substitute matches your original search. It’s brilliant!

You can of course substitute colours depending on availability and individual tastes. One of my favourite runners that I’ve seen is this one, woven by Juliet.

A very different colour scheme is used here, but still feels very Spring like and is absolutely beautiful!

The entire playlist of videos for the class can be found here-

The video series plus PDF can also be viewed at my Online Weaving School, if you prefer.

I really hope that this Spring Table Runner brings a little freshness to your table and joy into your home!

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them under this post, I would love to hear from you.

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Fear of the loom!

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I am sometimes surprised by the fear that can exist in newer weavers (and often not so new weavers as well). The fear that you will get stuck and not know what to do, the fear that the project won’t turn out the way it’s supposed to, the fear that you are not smart enough to learn how to use your loom, the fear that you will waste yarn if you make a mistake… I could go on.





I know people who have abandoned a new loom into a corner, a spare room or (dare I speak it?) a dusty garage. The fear is too great to make a start and they feel they have failed before even beginning.


I say that I am surprised, but I really shouldn’t be. All it takes is a few moments of thinking back to when I was a new weaver. I was so excited by this beautiful piece of equipment, but silently terrified! What a privilege, but what a responsibility! 

Is that fear still with me? No, although I do sometimes feel an apprehension when trying something new with very expensive yarn!



So, how to rid yourself of the fear? It’s actually very simple. You arm yourself with the knowledge you need and you practice! Read books, find resources, take courses, find weavers, join groups and network. And practice! Start simple and work your way up. Think of how an athlete trains. That is you, at your loom. Training, practicing, learning from mistakes and building knowledge.

If you do this, the magic will start to happen. That magic is CONFIDENCE! And with confidence, the sky is the limit.


If you are at that frozen with fear stage with your loom, perhaps you need some extra resources to help you out. 


My Youtube channel has a plethora of videos to help you get started in weaving.


My Online Weaving School is a great place for learning and gaining confidence. 


My Facebook Group is a friendly and welcoming place for weavers of all levels.





I hope this post will inspire you to go out there and weave beautiful things!



New Introduction to Floor Loom Weaving course

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I am so excited to bring you the news that this course is now available! The Introduction to Floor Loom Weaving course is my biggest class yet, with almost 4.5 hours of video instruction plus printable PDFs.


I designed this course for new floor loom weavers, or those who simply want to “make friends” with their loom and gain confidence weaving. 
The topic list is huge, but includes loom anatomy, calculations, reading drafts, warping, dressing the loom, the mechanics of weaving, and much more! 


The course is project based so participants will end up with a beautiful 3 shaft double cowl scarf. 

I hope to make follow up classes to take students through 4 and 8 shaft projects in the near future.

If you’re interested in this course, visit my Online Weaving School, where you can watch a preview for the class. It is available as a single purchase, or, if you are a subscriber, this course is included in your subscription, simply login to view.

Happy Weaving!

Get Started With Krokbragd Weaving

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Krokbragd weaving has captivated my heart and mind ever since I first laid eyes on it. With bold patterns, vibrant colourwork, and centuries of Scandinavian heritage, this weave structure is as beautiful as it is addictive.

Today I want to help you to get started with krokbragd weaving!

What is Krokbragd Weaving?

So, what exactly is krokbragd? How do you pronounce it? And how can you start weaving krokbragd yourself—even on a rigid heddle loom?

Let’s explore the magic of krokbragd together!

 

 How Do You Pronounce “Krokbragd”?

There are a few different ways people say “krokbragd”—and all of them are close enough! Krokbragd translates roughly to “crooked path”.
Common pronunciations include:

  • “croak-brod”

  • “croak-brog”

  • “crok-brag”

The name comes from Norwegian, and while exact pronunciation may vary, we can all agree that this is a truly captivating weave structure.

 What is Krokbragd Weaving?

Krokbragd is a traditional Scandinavian weave structure, often associated with Norway. It’s a type of weft-faced twill, meaning the weft yarns cover most of the warp, resulting in a dense, colourful fabric.

It’s usually woven on three shafts, which makes it ideal for creating bold geometric patterns and artistic motifs. It can also be woven on more shafts to increase patterning possibilities. Debby Greenlaw gives some beautiful examples in her Krokbragd Weaving book.

Although typically done on a shaft loom, you can absolutely weave krokbragd on a rigid heddle loom—with a few clever adaptations.

What Makes Krokbragd Special?

  • Three-pick sequence: The weaving sequence is simple and consistent—just three picks (rows), repeated throughout. The magic comes from changing weft colours to create the pattern.

  • Dense and durable: Because it’s packed down tightly, krokbragd creates a thick, heavy cloth—perfect for rugs, bags, cushions, or wall hangings.

  • Rich tradition: Historically, krokbragd was used in travel cushions, bed coverings, and door tapestries to provide warmth and decoration in Scandinavian homes.

  • Creative potential: Once you understand the basics, you’ll find krokbragd to be incredibly versatile. The pattern possibilities are truly endless!

Can I Weave Krokbragd on a Rigid Heddle Loom?

Yes, absolutely! While krokbragd is traditionally a 3-shaft structure, there are several ways to adapt it to a rigid heddle loom. Many weavers use:

If you’re just getting started, I recommend trying the pickup stick and heddle rod method—it’s accessible and doesn’t require extra equipment. It’s also fairly simple to learn because you thread your rigid heddle loom for plain weave, then do some simple pick up.

Can I Weave Krokbragd on an Inkle Loom?

You sure can! Weaving krokbragd on an inkle loom is slightly different because inkle looms produce WARP faced bands. Usually krokbragd is WEFT faced. Therefore, we turn the draft (known as “turned krokbragd”) to use it in inkle weaving.

You can learn all about this wonderful method and weave some stunning bands in the Krokbragd on an Inkle Loom Online Course.

Free Krokbragd Tutorials for Rigid Heddle Loom

If you’re as fascinated by this weave structure as I am, check out my free krokbragd tutorials on YouTube. These beginner-friendly videos walk you through the basics and beyond:

👉 Watch the Free Krokbragd Video Series

One of my favourite projects is weaving tulips in krokbragd—a joyful way to combine structure with artistic expression!

Want to Learn Krokbragd Step-by-Step?

I’ve created a detailed, step-by-step course for weavers who want to master krokbragd on a rigid heddle loom. 
🧵 Krokbragd 101: Learn to Weave Krokbragd with Confidence

Whether you’re brand new to pattern weaving or ready to deepen your skills, this course will guide you from setup to finishing. It also includes my “secret sauce” of yarn combinations for what I consider krokbragd perfection!

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

Helpful Krokbragd Resources

Here are some of my favourite books, classes, and guides to help you explore krokbragd weaving further:

You can learn all about weaving krokbragd on a rigid heddle loom by checking out my free Youtube playlist of tutorials:

Krokbragd weaving is rich with tradition and full of creative possibilities. Whether you’re drawn to its bold patterns or its cosy textures, krokbragd is a technique worth exploring and remains one of my firm favourites ❤️

If you’re ready to dive deeper, be sure to check out my tutorials and courses to get started today.

Have you tried krokbragd weaving yet? Or perhaps this article inspires you to give it a try? Let me know in the comments below ⬇️

 Until next time…
                                                                              Happy Weaving!

DIY natural hand softener

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Do you ever have problems with dry hands that become rough?

Gardeners are very familiar with this issue, but it can also happen if you frequently use soap for hand washing or are often in a heated environment.

 
 If you work with your hands, dry skin can be frustrating – you will have threads catching on rough skin and if it gets bad enough it may become painful to use and wash your hands – not nice!
 
*This post contains affiliate links. For further information, please see my disclosure policy.
 
 
 
So today I am sharing with you an old embroiderer’s trick to smooth and silky hands in no time, using  natural ingredients that most of you should have in your pantry. And, it really works!
 
 
2 tablespoons white, granulated sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Yep, that’s it!
 
If you want to really treat yourself, you could add a drop or two of essential oil. I use oils from Eco Modern Essentials and my personal favourites to use are lavender, peppermint or rose.
 
 
Mush the two ingredients together in a bowl until it comes together.  Now, with both hands, rub the mixture all over the fronts and backs of your hands. There is not set time for the rubbing, but if you do it too long it may over exfoliate and start to hurt – less is probably more!
 
 
Wash your hands in warm water (you may need just a little soap or wipe on a paper towel or similar to help dissolve the excess oil). Pat your hands dry with a nice soft towel.
 
Follow up with a moisturiser if you wish, though I don’t find it necessary. Enjoy your soft and silky hands!
 
P.S. This towel is the underside of one of my hand woven Lux Hand Towels, the pattern is available in my Etsy shop.
Until next time…
 
Happy Weaving!


Taking each day as it comes

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Life can be so up and down, constantly changing, imperfect.


This week, we started back homeschooling. Traditionally, Australians take a longer break over Summer but considering our disrupted year last year and the girls needing a solid routine, we decided to start back early. We had some new books to start on, the girls were excited about that too. 

I did a lot of pre planning again, hours of work actually, so I felt confident to start the new year. The first day went fairly smoothly apart from one girl needing an attitude adjustment (this is something we are consistently working on with this child). My youngest girl surprised me by getting stuck into her work with gusto and really enjoying it. 

Fast forward to Friday morning and, following a social engagement yesterday, the girls were late to wake and get started. After a fair bit of pushing on my part, we started our homeschool morning. It wasn’t very long before there was a complete meltdown and tears from the little one. I was disappointed, I had lessons prepared. However, experience has taught me that there is no point in making an overtired, unreasonable child sit and the table and work, so it was back to bed with her, and there she stayed for the whole morning reading. The upside is she finished one novel she hadn’t completed last year and got through another short novel. She was still learning, it was ok. I was able to continue the planned lesson with the other girls.

Plan A is a beautiful thing to the eyes of a homeschool Mum who has spent the time preparing, planning and researching. But, very often, plan B just has to do, and usually it is enough if we accept it as such. It’s not easy to let go of hopes, but often it’s the only solution.

Running a business has been very much the same. Last week was huge, I released a new pattern, there was a huge amount of activity in my online weaving school, it was all very busy and exciting. This week, the complete opposite with practically no sales, very little activity and even social media has been very quiet. A newly released Youtube video has received very little attention.

Plan A for the business is that I can make a living doing this, that all the hours I put in will finally be worth it. The reality (plan B)  is, I have to keep pushing on and endure the good times with the bad and keep hoping. 

Many times I have wanted to give up on things that seemed too hard – whether it’s homeschooling or my business or something else. But every time I want to throw the towel in I say to myself “wait until tomorrow”. When tomorrow comes, I’m usually good to go again, the new day gives new perspective. 

I love the words of one of my favourite saints, Padre Pio – 

“Pray, hope and don’t worry”.


New Year, new pattern!

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Happy New Year to you all! What an exciting time to be alive 🙂
Although I spent New Year’s Eve in bed with a stomach upset, today I feel well and reinvigorated. 


Today I launched a new Etsy pattern and thought I would share some details of the process for you.

I started out with some gorgeous Australian Merino from Bendigo Woollen Mills and dyed it with Landscape dyes. I had a vision of the colour I wanted and it was almost spot on. It’s a very hard colour to photograph though, it’s not as dark as it appears here. I planned on having the colours split in the dye pot to give a subtle variation in colour and it worked out beautifully.

I absolutely love lace knitting and wanted to create something similar on the loom. A scarf that was light and airy with a pretty pattern and warmth and softness for wearing. 

I wanted all the finished details to tie in well with the design of the scarf, so the hemstitching was pulled extra tight to create space and the fringe was twisted. (See how different the colour looks here to the first photo!)

The end result is so beautiful! I was admiring myself wearing it in the mirror until my daughter came along and asked to try it. Well, it looks sensational on her, just the perfect colour, so she may get to keep it.

The PDF pattern for the scarf is now available in my Etsy shop, ready for you to download and start weaving! 



CONGRATULATIONS!

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I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I had a beautiful, quiet and relaxing day with my family.


Thank you to all who entered the giveaway, there were just over 1000 entries and if I could, I would give each and every one of you a prize, but then that would place me in bankruptcy, so I’m obligated to stick with just one winner!


A big congratulations to Christine Rose, who won the Ashford Rigid Heddle loom and a one year subscription to my Online Weaving School. I’ve been in touch with Christine and she is just thrilled to be the winner. 


Playing Santa Claus was fun, I hope I can do it again sometime!

Weaving for Christmas

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My favourite time of the year is coming and what better way to celebrate the festivities than by weaving for family, friends and your home!


I have quite a few free video tutorials to get those creative juices flowing:
                                                Christmas Table Runner
 
Christmas Bunting

I hope these inspire you to add some beautiful hand woven

Christmas cheer to your home or someone else’s!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

🎄 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Calculating warp for the rigid heddle loom

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At a request from a student, I have put together a warp calculations sheet and a companion video. Both are available here. You do need to sign in to access the materials, but I have made these completely free for your benefit. The video can be viewed on Youtube if you prefer. 
The printable PDF includes a sample sheet and in the video I take you through another sample, just to make sure you “get it”!
I have already had a huge amount of positive feedback from students who have found these useful, so please take a look if it’s of interest to you.
Happy Weaving!