Spend a Day at the Beach with Little Looms

When my husband and I started planning our first vacations together, we had a realization. He is firmly a Mountain Person, while I am a Beach Person. I love trips to the mountains, but if given an option, I will always choose the beach. There's something about the cool breeze over the ocean and the smell of saltwater in the air that give me a sense of calm. So it should come as no surprise that when we were choosing our themed sections for the 2019 issue of Easy Weaving with Little Looms, the first one I suggested was Summers at the Shore.

Summers at the Shore is full of projects inspired by the place where land meets water. First up are the Tropical Sands Flip-Flops by Jennifer B. Williams. Bright, beautiful inkle bands are used with a store-bought flip-flop base to create a perfect pair of custom sandals. Weave them as written, or design your own bands to match your favorite swimsuit. Before you head to the beach in your inkle flip-flops, you'll want to put your towel, sunscreen, and all your other must-haves in a big, bright tote bag such as Emily Werner's Under the Boardwalk Bag. Inspired by classic, brightly colored striped beach towels, this rigid-heddle woven bag features two big pockets and is a cinch to weave and sew.

Cape May Wrap by Angela Tong and Mermaid Wrap by Tammy Bast

The section includes three beautiful wrap projects designed to help you combat chilly nights spent walking the boardwalk or beach. Rachel Simmons’ Sand and Sea Wrap is inspired by the colors and movement of waves lapping at the sand. If you prefer your wearables brighter, Angela Tong’s pin-loom woven Cape May Wrap is a lacy, colorful piece that makes me think of salt-water taffy, Ferris wheel lights, and the famous “painted ladies” of Cape May, America’s first summer resort town. For a piece with some mythical flair, Tammy Bast’s Mermaid Wrap uses a variegated yarn woven in simple plain weave to create a piece that is “shore” to turn heads. (Sorry.)

Sand and Sea Wrap by Rachel Simmons

If you’re lucky enough to have a beach house or if you simply want to bring a bit of the beach to your own home, we’ve got projects for that, too. Jodi Ybarra’s Winter Waves Towels are woven on a rigid-heddle loom in thirsty cotton in a classic palette of stark white and nautical blue. For a bit of whimsy, Deborah Bagley’s project A Galaxy of Starfish has you covered. These pin-loom woven starfish are adorable on their own or they can be combined to make a delightful wreath. I can even imagine one of these on top of a Christmas tree!

Winter Waves Towels by Jodi Ybarra and A Galaxy of Starfish by Deborah Bagley.

Now, of course, if you’re more of a Mountain Person, like my husband, we have you covered, too. Learn about our Cozy Cabin project section here.

Happy Weaving!

Christina