Activity Overview
If you are like me and have longed to explore the art of weaving, but did not have a loom, you are going to love this hula hoop loom project! Create a vibrant and one of a kind masterpiece in any size that can be used as a rug, wall hanging, or a lovely centerpiece. This project takes some patience and will not be accomplished in one sitting, but will be well worth the wait. We used finger knitted yarn but this project could also be done with other mediums such as assorted colored and textured ropes, braided t- shirts strands tied together oryou can add strands of pompom string etc.
Materials Needed
- Several balls of of finger-knitted yarn in a variety of colors and textures
- A large old t-shirt
- Fabric Scissors
- Large Hula hoop
How to Make It
- Using your fabric scissors cut the t-shirt into 10 strips, approximately 1 1/2 inches wide across the main body of the t-shirt.
- Stretch the t-shirt strips across the hula-hoop in a spoke-like pattern, going progressively in between the spokes as you ad them. Start with an X and add on from there.
- It is important to ensure that you have an odd number of spokes to make the weaving pattern (over/under) work effectively. To accomplish this, combine two of the spokes together by sliding them together. Spread the rest of the T shirt spokes out around the hoop.
- Tie one end of the finger knitting to the doubled up spoke of the loom.
- Treat each loop as one spoke of the loom. Start weaving by going over a spoke and under a spoke, around and around the circle by pushing the ball of finger woven yarn back and forth through the spokes.
- Once you get around the circle once and return to the double spoke, you should recheck to ensure that you didn't miss any rungs. When you go around the next time, it should follow the opposite over and under pattern than what was woven the round before it. The whole project should continue in this manner. Be sure that your weaving is nice and taut but not too tight or your project will curl up when removed.
- If you reach the end of your finger knitted ball, simply tie a new ball of yarn onto the project, tucking any stray tied strands underneath and then continue on weaving around the loom.
- Once your woven section is approximately 8-9 inches across, realign your spokes so that each two double up as one spoke. For the spoke that was double, pull it apart such that you treat one as having individual spokes like the rest of the warp spokes. Maintain an odd number of spokes.
- You will still be weaving over and under each t shirt strand, however, they will be closer together when you do so.
- Stop weaving when the woven section reaches 4 inches from the edge of the hula hoop.
- Snip each set of t shirt spokes from the outside edge and tie each duo together tightly close to the weaving project.
- When you get the original doubled spoke that are individuals, weave them into a couple of layers of the yarn and then tie off.
- To finish, you can leave the t shirt tassels as they are or you can weave them into the backside of your project.
