The ancient craft of weaving is found in countries all over the world. People have woven yarn and fibers to make useful items such as clothing and rugs as well as beautiful tapestries that hang in castles, museums, and churches.
Most weaving is done on a machine called a loom. Before the actual weaving process can begin, the craftsman or weaver must first string the loom. These threads are called the warp, and the yarn that is woven over and under them is called the weft.
Weaving does not have to be done on a traditional loom, however. It's possible to weave on anything that can be strung with the warp threads. This includes recyclable items like cardboard, an old picture frame, or sticks you collect in your yard or along a river bank.
We can even weave on soda straws! You may have a few unused straws from fast food restaurants in your car's glove box or a kitchen drawer. Help save landfill space by recycling them to make a simple loom.
There are many items you can weave on a soda straw loom. You may want to make a bracelet or a bookmark. If you are making a bracelet, cut all the straws so they are about 4 or 5 inches long. The straws for a bookmark should be about 6 or 7 inches long.
Now you are ready to warp or thread the loom. Measure the length of a straw and add 5 or 6 inches to this number. Cut one piece of yarn this length for each straw in your loom. Thread the straw by dropping the yarn through it. This may be easier to do if you shake a threaded needle through each straw.
With their ends even, tie an overhand knot in the strands of yarn. Push the straws up to the knot, and tape them together at the top by running the tape around the straws, front to back. Now you are ready to weave! Tie one end of the yarn onto an outside straw just below the tape.
Start weavingby going over that straw and under the next.
Continue the over-under pattern until you want to change colors. Knot the yarn onto an outside straw, and cut it off from the ball or skein.
