Start

how to use your new

Swatch looms

01

Choose
your size

02

Warp
your loom

03

Weave
your weft

04

Finish
your piece

01

Choose your size

Swatch Loom kits include three sett sizes: 7.5, 10, and 12. "Sett" refers to the number of slots per inch: the higher the number, the closer together your warp (vertical) threads will be, and the denser your finished fabric (measured in ends per inch, or EPI).

Swatch Loom sizes (embossed directly on the loom) correspond to common sett sizes for multi-shaft and rigid heddle reeds, making your swatches directly translatable to larger weaving projects, whether you're a novice or experienced weaver.

You can get even more fabric variations by doubling up threads in each slot for denser fabric with thinner yarn, or skipping every other dent for a more open weave.

Using your three sizes you can achieve the following setts (EPI):

Looking for an 8 EPI swatch loom? Use your 7.5. At this scale, it's close enough for 4 / 8 / 16 EPI setts.

Looking for other sizes? Send us a request!

02

Warp your loom

Weaving is the interlacing of vertical threads (warp) with horizontal threads (weft).

At this scale, the warp doesn't need to be structurally perfect. Use whatever yarn you have and experiment!

Thread your warp yarn through any two holes and tie a double knot on the back (the flat side without the number) to secure it.

Wrap your warp yarn through the slots from one edge to the other. Wrapping all the way around the back is faster and leaves extra warp length if you're planning to hem a patch, but you can also loop around the pegs only if you prefer.

Once all slots have a thread, tie the warp yarn back to itself on the back. Tension should be firm but not tight enough to bend the loom.

For your first weave, start with a single warp color. Once you're comfortable, try skipping slots or using multiple colors for more complex patterns.

03

Weave your weft

Choose a weft color and thread it onto your tapestry needle.

Attach it at the bottom of the loom by wrapping around 3-4 warp strands and tying a knot on the back. Then, with the front of the loom facing you, weave over and under the warp strands to the other side. Use a second loom to tamp the row down into a straight line.

Wrap your weft around the back and return from the same side you started, going over each strand you went under before.

Repeat.

Keep your rows consistent as you go. Try different structures: twill, diamonds, tapestry. More inspiration and suggestions at @touchgrass_textiles on Instagram.

Change colors by tying firm knots on the back. Don't worry about what the back looks like.

When it gets hard to wiggle your needle through, you're done.

Some inspiration ✨

More inspo →

Plain weave on 10-dent

Warp and weft: cotton/linen weaving yarn

Plain weave on 7.5-dent

Warp: cotton weaving yarn, weft: wool weaving yarn

Twill on 10-dent

Warp and weft: cotton weaving yarn

plain weave with inlaid weft on 12-dent

Warp: wool weaving yarn, weft: worsted weight knitting yarn + macrame cord

Waffle weave on 12-dent

Warp and weft: cotton weaving yarn

tapestry/pictoral weave on 12-dent

Warp: wool weaving yarn, weft: DK cotton knitting yarn + macrame cord

04

Finish your piece

Make sure all yarn is secured to the back with knots and trim close. No loose ends.

I like to record the date, the sett, and the yarns used so I remember what I was doing if this swatch turns into a larger project. I attach tiny tags to each sample but a sane person might keep a list on a normal-sized piece of paper.

That's it! You did it!

What to do with your finished swatches

Frame and hang your art

Thread a thin yarn through the top two holes and hang directly, or mat in a frame with a 1.75"×1.75" square cut in mat board. Gallery ready.

Start a swatch reference library

Keep swatches in the tray they came in. Label each one with date, dent size, and warp and weft yarns so you remember what you were going for.

Make a visible mending patch

Cut the finished piece off the loom, stabilize the back, hem the edges on a sewing machine, and sew onto any woven fabric. Detailed patch instructions coming soon.