Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

rigid heddle weaving

The week in review, phew!

by 2 Comments

The week started out well and then WOOSH, I turned around and it was almost over already. A lot of weeks are like that these days. But it doesn’t trouble me, as long as the week is well spent.

Autumn is well and truly upon us and the cold has crept in. This does not trouble me either, I am quite fond of cool weather and it inspires me to surround myself with fibre.
We celebrated our son’s 18th birthday with much cheer and delightful dishes. I was reminded of the great blessing he is to our family, and what a fine young man he is. It is certainly bittersweet having your children grow up.
I finally launched my newest class, Rigid Heddle Garment Making! I was so thrilled to finish what had become a lengthly undertaking and I was so happy with the end project.

The response has been enthusiastic, as many students have been asking me to put this class together.

In other weaving news, this is what I have on the floor loom. The warp is plain white cottolin and hemp and I’m changing up the cotton weft colours as I go. The draft is an 8 shaft from Carol Strickler’s 8 shaft pattern book. It took me ages to get going with this and I had to re-sley the reed THREE times due to silly mistakes. I’m happy to say that the weaving is all going smoothly! I’m making a set of towels.

The threading is rose path and the weaving is very much like an overshot – one pattern pick (red)…

followed by a tabby pick (white). Rather lovely!

I almost forgot, I also have a new Youtube video! The topic is a very popular one – weaver neater edges. 

So yes, a very busy week indeed with lots happening.
I have two new projects in the planning stages. One will be my next Etsy pattern (speaking of Etsy – my sales passed 400 this week and continue to climb!), the other will be a new online class with a difference. You will have to wait and see what the “difference” is, I have a lot of work to do before I reveal more details!

I hope you have had a great week, rich with blessings, family, good health and of course, a good dose of weaving!



Table loom, rigid heddle loom, floor loom?

by Leave a Comment

It is so hard to choose a loom when you are brand new to weaving! Without a doubt, the “which loom?” question is the one I get the most. And while I can’t tell you which loom is the perfect one for your individual circumstances, I can tell you a little about different types and their advantages/disadvantages.


Lets start with the humble hero that I recommend most often for absolute beginners:

THE RIGID HEDDLE LOOM

The little champion of the weaving world! That is how I think of this humble loom anyway. I believe it’s thanks to this loom we have seen such an enthusiastic resurgence in weaving. You can view the rigid heddle looms I own (affiliate links):
Ashford 24″
Ashford Sampleit 10″


They come in a variety of sizes, are lightweight and portable, are much more affordable than table or floor looms, are customisable by adding a stand and extra heddles, plus they are simple enough for beginners to get up and weaving quickly. The ability to direct warp means you don’t need a warping board to get started. Threading is straight forward and easy. There is very little yarn wastage. You can adapt the loom to weave tapestries.You can even weave 8 shaft patterns on this loom (I’ve seen it done, but I don’t intend to do it myself – waaay too much work for me!)




That all sounds great right? Surely there must be some drawbacks to this loom? 
Well, there are limitations to the rigid heddle loom. The tension, for example, is not like a floor or table loom. Weaving is slower, as you need to put your shuttle down after each pick in order to beat. I mentioned that you can weave up to 8 shafts, but it would take a lot of patience and mucking around that would have me personally reaching for my floor loom in a jiffy (though I realise that not everyone has that luxury!) 
I don’t really think of these things as negatives, the rigid heddle loom has too much going for it to warrant any real criticism. What I have listed above are more differences as opposed to negatives.






Want to know more about the rigid heddle loom? You may wish to watch my free Rigid Heddle Loom/Table Loom Comparison video. I also have a huge range of videos for rigid heddle weavers or those interested in starting out on my Youtube channel, so be sure to watch, like and subscribe to ensure you don’t miss new videos.


I also have a big range of rigid heddle weaving classes available on my Online Weaving School, I recommend you taking a look!


I hope this article has been helpful to you, next time I will discuss table looms!

Hug Me Cardigan – new pattern!

by Leave a Comment

My new pattern is inspired by the classic “hug me tight” shrugs I used to see some of my elderly clients knitting for their loved ones when I worked in nursing homes.

This cardigan was designed to be a simple but beautiful garment – perfect for those who are just starting out sewing with their weaving. It is also a “no cut” pattern for those who may be nervous about cutting their cloth for the first time. 

I love the way my hand dyed yarn turned out – quite different to what I expected but very much in the style I love. 


Woven with wool and designed to be a light fabric, it is a perfect garment for transitional weather because it’s warm without being too warm.

Check out my Etsy shop to find out more about the pattern.

Happy Weaving!

Spring Table Runner Free Rigid Heddle Project!

by Leave a Comment

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!

Get Started With Krokbragd Weaving

by 11 Comments

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!

New Year, new pattern!

by 2 Comments

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!

by 1 Comment

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!

10,000 subscribers giveaway!

by 161 Comments

Welcome to this very special giveaway! To celebrate 10,000 subscribers on Youtube I have the pleasure of giving away to one of you lucky people, an Ashford 40cm Rigid Heddle loom along with a one year subscription to my Online Weaving School. How exciting! 




To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. You can choose the number of entries you get by completing the tasks – the number you complete is up to you.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway will be drawn on December 26th 2017. Best of luck to you!

Weaving for Christmas

by 3 Comments

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

by 2 Comments

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!