You Need a Wolf Scarf and Other Reasons to Check Out Little Looms

One of the most fraught processes of working on a magazine such as Easy Weaving with Little Looms is narrowing down proposals. So many clever, beautiful ideas are submitted each year, so it’s always difficult to decide what stays and what goes. Every once in a while, of course, you get a project that not only stands out from the crowd, it gets up on a chair and dances. And, like Bruce Springsteen in his “Dancing in the Dark” video, we have no choice but to pluck that project from the crowd and invite it to dance on our metaphorical stage.

For the 2019 issue of Easy Weaving with Little Looms, the project that caught my eye immediately was Margaret Stump’s pin-loom woven (Not So) Big Bad Wolf Scarf. As soon as I saw it, I knew it had to be in the magazine. It’s just the right combination of cute (but not so cute as to be twee), clever, and practical. Although we categorized it as a scarf, it’s really a scarf, hat, and set of mitts all in one wolf-shaped package.

It’s impossible not to smile and have fun when you’re wearing the (Not So) Big Bad Wolf Scarf!

While it might look complex, this scarf is actually woven entirely from plain-weave pin-loom squares. The squares are carefully folded, shaped, and stuffed to create the wolf’s head and enhanced with a little bit of decorative stitching here and there, as well as some simple crochet for the teeth.

While this project is showcased in our Cozy Cabin project section of the magazine, I would gladly wear this scarf anywhere and everywhere. First, it goes with everything in my closet. Try to find something that doesn’t go with a wolf scarf—it simply can’t be done. Second, it’s a conversation starter. Wear this pin-loom scarf out and you will get a million-and-one questions that you can then use to educate people about weaving, wolves, or Teen Wolf, the underrated 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox.

From flannel to fancy pants, this wolf scarf/hat/mitt combo goes with any outfit.

Finally, think of all the themed opportunities! New werewolf movie opening in the theaters? Wear your wolf scarf. Is the local environmental center having a gala to raise money for the Mexican wolf? That sounds like a perfect opportunity to wear this scarf. Going to karaoke? Wear this pin-loom scarf and sing “Little Red Riding Hood” by Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs or “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon—and you will have won. (No matter what anyone tells you, karaoke is a contest, as are potlucks.) Honestly, I could go on and on about all the uses for—and places you could wear—such a scarf. I haven’t even touched on Halloween or cosplay!

So, do yourself a favor: Pick up a copy of the 2019 Easy Weaving with Little Looms, weave up your own (Not So) Big Bad Wolf Scarf on your pin loom, and send me photos of you wearing it out. You won’t regret it!

Happy Weaving! Christina