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Weaving is an absolutely beautiful, and often complex art form.
But there are some great beginner weaving looms and sets to fit a variety of beginners. Some are great for adults and older children first learning the craft and others are great for introducing younger kids to working with their hands.
Plus, with beginners’ weaving looms, you may find the whole process is simple enough to do while kicking back and watching TV at home. And all the while you can create some lovely gifts for friends and family.
Some weaving looms can be quite complicated and look a little scary, especially for those who aren’t familiar with the joys of looms yet.
so which are the best weaving looms for beginners? The best weaving looms for beginners are easy to use, constructed well, and come with the tools you need to get started. For absolute beginners, a simple standing loom or loom without heddles is ideal. For children, potholder-making looms and similar kits may be best.
Make sure that there are instructions included in the set as well!
It is a good idea to purchase a weaving loom that comes with all the bits and pieces you need to complete a project from start to finish. You want to ensure that your first few weaving loom sessions are enjoyable – and the right weaving loom will help with that!
We have some more characteristics you want to consider below, as well as several products to consider with reviews. We’ve included both ‘proper’ but very simple looms for those looking to really start weaving as well as some simple kits that are great for kids who are new to using their hands.
So keep reading and happy weaving!
Weaving Loom Buyers Guide
To help you choose the best beginner weaving loom to start off with, here are some factors to consider before making a purchase:
Ease Of Use
It is so important to ensure that the weaving loom you choose is easy to use, especially when you are a beginner starting out.
Even a simple traditional loom may be too much for younger beginners, so consider whether you want a traditional loom or one stylized for kids.
Make sure the weaving loom kit comes with instructions, and it is even better if they are illustrated, and designed for beginners. This will mean you have everything you need to get started, and you won’t spend too much time fighting trying to get your weaving loom set up.
Quality
You really need to make sure the weaving loom you choose is high quality. It should ideally be wooden or sturdy plastic, but you can get away with a metal loom as well.
The quality of construction is so important, too. It needs to be sturdy and durable.
Plastic looms do tend to be lightweight and this helps to make them more portable. Wooden looms are a little heavier and less portable, but they are more durable and sturdy and will last a long time.
Plus, wooden looms are less likely to move around under your hands when you’re trying to weave. So there is a trade-off.
Beginner-Friendly
When starting out, you should look for a weaving loom that is beginner-friendly.
Make sure that it can be used by kids and is age and experience-appropriate.
Younger or less experienced hands will often do best with a specialty kids’ loom that eases the process, but older kids, teens, and experienced crafters – adults and children alike – may get bored of the toy-like looms.
The 5 Best Beginner Weaving Looms
To help you really enjoy weaving, here are the 5 best beginner weaving looms for you to choose from:
| Rank | Product | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Willowdale Standing Weaving Loom | Adults/teens |
| 2. | Melissa & Doug Multi-Craft Weaving Loom | Older/experienced kids |
| 3. | Harrisville Designs Potholder Loom | Younger kids |
| 4. | Made By Me Ultimate Weaving Loom | Younger kids |
| 5. | Loopdeloom Weaving Loom Toy | No-skill play |
They have all the tools you need to get weaving and are durable enough to last you many years! We have each reviewed in more detail below so you can pick the right one for your needs.
1. Willowdale Standing Weaving Loom
Made from hard beech wood, the Willowdale Weaving Loom is smooth and flat, which reduces any damage or fraying of the wool used. It is very durable and will last through many projects.
This is a traditional standing loom, but small and simple enough to be completely beginner-friendly. It’s perfect for those looking to learn the traditional techniques!
The adjustable stand allows you to work comfortably, and you can adjust the height of the loom as you work on your projects.
It only takes a few minutes to set up the weaving kit, and you can begin weaving, moving the shuttle back and forth easily.
The kit includes the 2 side frames, a wooden stick, 1 heddle bar, 1 beam, 2 frames, 2 support frames, 2 large shuttles, 3 wooden combs, and all the different nuts and bolts you need to construct the frame.
It is easy to lay your yarn onto the frame, and with a few simple movements, you can get weaving!
2. Melissa & Doug Multi-Craft Weaving Loom
The Melissa & Doug Multi-Craft Weaving Loom is a kid-friendly weaving kit that is so incredibly easy to use for beginners.
Built like a traditional loom, but with your warp threads slightly wide and limited in number, this loom is the perfect primer for young but eager crafters!
The kit comes with an adjustable weaving loom, an oversized wooden needle, different craft materials, and illustrated design booklet, and 91 yards of rainbow yarn.
If used for kids, the weaving loom can help improve concentration and hand-eye coordination, while promoting fine motor skills and encouraging creative expression.
The loom has easy-grasp knobs which make it really easy to change the frame, switching between different crafts. There are four different craft weaving projects to choose from, and different animal picture tapestries to make.
You and your kids are able to learn traditional weaving skills with this incredibly easy to use weaving loom, which is just so much fun to work with!
Once you have used up all the rainbow yarn in the kit, you can purchase some more and carry on creating some unique and fun pieces. You can also use your own yarn, as this is a traditional loom which will be easy to thread.
3. Harrisville Designs Potholder Loom
While a little restricting on what you can make, the Harrisville Designs Traditional Potholder Loom is so great to use to learn the basics of weaving.
It comes with a sturdy metal frame that will help you create 6×6″ cotton potholders. There is a metal hook included for quick weaving, and a crochet hook included to help with finishing off the project easily.
There is a complete instruction set included to get you started, and while any age can use the weaving loom kit, it is a great introduction to weaving for kids.
Being smaller than traditional weaving loom kits, you can take this kit on the go with you when traveling, or easily move it around the house with you to work on the project.
The potholders make for some great gifts, and they are also wonderful to keep in the kitchen at home.
You can make your own yarn “refills” for potholder looms much the same way you would make rag rug yarn.
4. Made By Me Ultimate Weaving Loom
This 380 piece set contains absolutely everything you need to get started with a whole load of different weaving projects.
You can easily learn the art of weaving while creating one-of-a-kind projects. There are bright colors included, making it all so much more fun to do.
There are different loop colors included in the kit, such as black, blue, purple, white, pink, dark blue, green, orange, and yellow.
The kit includes 1 plastic loom, 1 plastic hook, and 378 assorted craft loops. There are also easy-to-follow instructions for you to use.
For a fun time learning to weave, you cannot get better than this kit. It is suited for ages 5 and up, but even adult beginners will love creating unique pieces.
5. Loopdeloom Weaving Loom Toy
This award-winning weaving loom kit is an ideal option for children who are new to yarn crafts. The loom does a lot of the work for you and the kit contains everything you might need to learn how to weave and offers one of the easiest ways to do so.
You are able to weave anything from cell phone covers, to scarves, headbands, potholders, rugs and so much more. You are able to weave larger items as well, up to 7 inches in length.
The craft kit includes one spinning peg loom and over 120 yards of yarn. The spinning peg helps to speed up the weaving process so that you don’t have to spend too much time on one project.
Being easy to set up and easy to use, you can be ready to start weaving in next to no time, using the instructional videos online to figure out how best to weave. The kit is so simple but will still allow you to create some great items.
Related Questions
What Can You Make Using a Weaving Loom?
There is so much that you can make with a weaving loom. You can make scarves, blankets, tapestries and wall hangings, decorations, cushion covers, woven mats, potholders, tea cozies, coasters and so much more.
When using smaller looms like these, you may have to limit yourself to smaller items or be prepared to sew pieces together, however.
You can experiment with different colors and textures to create unique pieces.
Is Weaving Easy to Learn?
It depends. With simplified looms such as these, the process is much easier. It is especially easy to learn to use potholder looms, but simple traditional standing looms are also fairly easy to use.
You can simplify the process by limiting the amount of colors used and opting for simple patterns. As with any tool, weaving looms can be used for easier or more complicated processes.
Can I Use Knitting Yarn on My Weaving Loom?
Yes, you can use a knitting yarn on a weaving loom. While you will typically want to pick thinner threads and yarns, there is plenty of room for variety.
However, if you are an absolute beginner, you should focus on getting the basics down before experimenting with different yarn and thread thicknesses, as some are easier to work with than others.
Trust the materials that come with your kit for your first project or two, and then be bold!
What Type of Yarn Should I Use For Weaving?
Cotton yarn is a good choice for new weavers. It is soft and absorbent and is easy to weave with. It is typically much more affordable than wool or silk, and you can get it in many different grades.
Wool and linen are also easy to work with. Rayon is better for intermediate weavers because it is so slick, but will look excellent when woven and have a nice drape to it.
However, any yarn will ultimately work in weaving, so don’t worry about letting your creativity run wild once you feel experienced enough.
Conclusion
The above 5 weaving looms are all great for beginners, and they will help you easily pick up the art of weaving.
The kits have everything you need to get started, and you will be able to create so many unique and fun pieces for yourself, and to give to family and friends as gifts!
Up Next: The Best Yarn For Weaving
