Summer Weaving for Any Occasion

“When I am in the country . . . I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same.”
—Mr. Bingley, in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This sentiment is from a heated discussion in the novel about whether life is more enjoyable in town (in this case, London) or in the country (large estates situated near small towns). Mr. Bingley, an agreeable-to-a-fault character, is asked his opinion so the matter can be settled—but instead he gives the most wishy-washy answer possible.

However, I have to agree with Mr. Bingley. In fact, I’d take his ideas a step further: When I’m reading a book or watching a movie set in an idealized version of a small town or large city, it feels like the best possible place to live. When I was a child, Anne of Green Gables led to dreams of living in Avonlea; as an adult, I yearn to live in the Paris I see in Amélie. It was this sentiment that inspired me to give our Summer 2026 issue the Town and Country theme.

If you like city life, you’ll love projects inspired by the beauty of urban life. Clockwise from top left: Midtown Mosaic Towels by Conne LeTendresse, Good Dog Collar by Kate Kilgus, Urban Grid Scarf by Jennifer E. Kwong, and Mug Rugs with a Twist by Deb Essen. Click each photo to see the band close-up and get more information on each project.

For this issue, I asked designers to create projects inspired by what they enjoy most about each type of community. Their thoughtful work and genuine love for these places blew me away. Here’s a peek at what you’ll find among these pages:

• Heirloom-quality lace towels woven in fine linen.

• A cheerful checked picnic blanket, perfect for enjoying Shakespeare in the park.

• A coordinating bouquet wrap and bracelet inspired by traditional Latvian flower bands.

• Light and lacy scarves, perfect for those chilly summer evenings.

Take a trip to the country with these beautiful projects inspired by small-town life. Clockwise from top left: Hexie Knot Mat by Gabi van Tassell, Country Linen Towels by Malynda Allen, Something Blue Bouquet Band and Bracelet by Jennifer B. Williams, and Sheaves of Wheat Table Runner by Sheleigh Peers. Click each photo to see the band close-up and get more information on each project.

I genuinely love every single project in this issue. While I don’t like to play favorites, I admit I have an extra-special fondness for the two adorable pin-loom mice designed by Deborah Bagley based on the children’s story "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse." They’re unbelievably cute, and you really must see them for yourself.

No matter where you live, I think you’ll find something to love in Little Looms Summer 2026!

Happy Weaving,
Christina

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Also in this issue

• Malynda Allen doesn’t let living in a dry climate stop her from weaving with fine linen on the rigid-heddle loom. Learn her tips and tricks for warping and weaving with linen—without tears.

• Expand your tablet-weaving potential—literally—by doing your weaving on the rigid-heddle loom. Find out why Deb Essen prefers to use a rigid-heddle loom for her tablet weaving and her method for warping.

• Follow the journey of linen with Tom Knisely, as he takes you from tiny flaxseed to finished cloth.

• Twist is an integral part of tablet weaving, but too much twist building up behind the tablets can cause problems in your weaving. Fortunately, you can take care of unwanted twist with warp-weighted tablet weaving. Get all the details from Stacy Schlutsmeyer on the benefits of this system and how to use it in your weaving.