Take a Trip to the Mountains with Little Looms

The 2019 edition of Easy Weaving with Little Looms is dedicated to weaving that evokes a sense of place. When we first came up with the project themes for this issue, having a section dedicated to woodsy weaving was a no-brainer.

So many of my fondest memories are of trips spent at campgrounds. Whether it was staying in cabins at Fall Creek Falls State Park when I was a kid or camping in tents just this year with my own child in the Gila National Forest, I’ve always loved camping. So, it should come as no surprise that I am absolutely in love with our Cozy Cabin section.

As you might expect, this section has projects designed to keep you nice and warm. Anu Bhatia’s Sun Shimmer Scarf is woven using simple pick-up on a rigid-heddle loom in a rainbow of sumptuous wools. This scarf is the perfect accessory for hiking a mountain trail or simply walking to work on a chilly morning. If you prefer a project with a bit more whimsy, Margaret Stump’s delightful (Not So) Big Bad Wolf Scarf has you covered. This hat/scarf/mitt combination is woven entirely on a pin loom and then carefully shaped and pieced to create a wolf-head hat and wolf-paw mitts.

If your idea of camping is more Aspen than Appalachian Trail, we also have you covered! Edith and Gabi van Tassell’s Aspen Clutch is the perfect size to take to your favorite restaurant in town. Woven on a hexagon pin loom in a simple twill pattern and accented with just the right amount of beading, this sophisticated clutch is always a good choice. Ellen LaBruce’s simply stunning inkle woven Mountain Sunset Bracelet is a delight to weave and wear. Evoking the colors and designs of Frank Lloyd Wright, this accessory would look equally good on your wrist while shopping the plaza in Taos or attending an exhibit at your favorite art museum.

Edith and Gabi van Tassell’s Aspen Clutch, left, and Ellen LaBruce’s Mountain Sunset Bracelet.

If you’re lucky enough to own your own mountain getaway (or simply want to make your home feel more like one), there are projects for decorating your world with weaving.

Constance Hall’s clever Cabin Windows in Krokbragd pillow is woven on a rigid-heddle loom using string heddles to create the krokbragd pattern. It’s also the perfect pillow for lounging by the fire after a long day of hiking. Meanwhile, Edith and Gabi van Tassell’s hexagon pin-loom woven Mountain Runner can make any home feel more cabinesque with its rustic color palette and sweet flower-loom woven center. Last but certainly not least, Susan E. Horton’s rigid-heddle woven Fireside Coasters and Table Runner look complex but are actually a cinch to weave. The ombré effect comes from a carefully designed color order in the weaving and fulling during the wet finishing. Once the pieces are properly fulled, simply cut them out into circles and use as coasters or piece together to create a delightfully asymmetrical table runner.

From top left going clockwise: Constance Hall’s Cabin Windows in Krokbragd pillow, Susan E. Horton’s Fireside Coasters and Table Runner, and Edith and Gabi van Tassell’s Mountain Runner.

Whether your idea of a mountain vacation is sitting in front of a fire and drinking hot cocoa, hiking the trails for hours, or enjoying dinner at a fancy ski lodge, these projects have you covered.

Happy Weaving! Christina