DIY Woven Wall Hanging

We’ve been a long time admirers of woven wall hangings and have loved seeing how these vintage flat weave textiles have come back in style thanks to such talented artists like Mimi JungJanelle Pietrzak, Maryanne Moodie and Meghan Bogden Shimek. I never imagined, however, that I could actually make my own – in fact, I was very close to commissioning a textile artist to weave a piece for our new home! But after hearing that Meghan, of Native Textile, was teaching a local workshop, I jumped at the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of weaving. I instantly became obsessed. And keep in mind, me and yarn don’t mix well. I’m a horrible knitter. Anyway, I loved the ease and tangibility of Meghan’s method so much, I was inspired to share some of her amazing tips with you. The entire process may seem intimidating at first but I encourage you to just give it try and follow the tutorial, step by step. Welcome to Weaving 101! You’ll be hooked, I promise. 

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You’ll need:

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To make your loom, start by adding the warp to the wooden frame. The warp is a set of lengthwise strings that are held, in tension, on a frame. This is what you’ll be weaving onto. Because the warp is wound tightly around the frame, the yarn or string should be strong and not too thick or too thin. Cotton or nylon string is fine. Tie the end of your string into a double knot onto the bottom left of the frame. Loop the string under and over the top of the frame . . .

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and back down under and over the bottom of the frame. Continue doing that, making a figure eight pattern each time.

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Depending on how wide you want your piece to be and how big your frame is, you can make as few as 10 loops and as much as 25. Separate the strings about a 1/4″ apart from each other and make sure the tension is even and tight, but not too tight, before tying a knot at the top of the frame.

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Double check your loom from the side. The strings should be criss crossed around the middle of the loom. Take the thin wooden dowel, which will serve as your shed rod, and slide it through the strings – under where the strings are crossed. Then push it to the top of the frame. You’ll immediately notice that the tension is tighter. The shed rod helps separate the upper and lower warp strings, making it easier to weave!

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This is what your loom should look like. Notice how the warps criss cross above the shed rod. The strings are evenly separated. And there is clear separation of a top layer of strings (top warp) and a bottom layer of strings (bottom warp). You are ready to weave!

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The weft is the term for the yarn which is drawn horizontally through the warp to create a weaving. For this, I like to use a variety of natural fiber yarns – some thick, some thin, some with interesting textures. It’s all about mixing it up! Cut the yarn to about 20-24 feet. Thread the end of the yarn through needle. Starting a few inches from the bottom of the loom, pass the needle under the bottom warps. That means under every other warp: over the first warp, under the second warp, over the third warp, under the fourth warp and so on.

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Pull the yarn straight through, leaving a 4-5 inch tail. Pull the right side of yarn down towards the bottom of the loom, creating a small arc in the yarn.

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Use a fork to comb down the middle of the arc. Then the left and ride sides, pressing the rest of the weft into a straight line.

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Giving the weft extra slack with an arc allows it to be packed into place with even tension. Doing this will give your piece an overall consistency to it. It’s an important step and shouldn’t be skipped after each weft is passed through! Now wrap the yarn around and under the last string.

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And bring it back through – this time through the top warps. Under the first, over the second, under the third and so on. Passing the yarn through the top warps should be easier than passing it through the bottom. This is because you’re not working with tension when weaving through the top warps.

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Use the fork to press down the second row to that it is snug against the first. Repeat by going back through the bottom warps.

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After a few rows, you can cut the yarn to leave a 4-5 inch tail. Or just continue weaving. If you run out of yarn, I’ll explain how to add more yarn later in the tutorial. I’ll also be showing you how to finish those loose tails at the very end.

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To add tassels, cut a bunch of yarn double the length of the desired tassel length. Take a group of 3-5 strands, depending on the thickness of the yarn, and center it under the first set of top and bottom warps.

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Slide a finger under the middle of the yarns, between the two wefts. Pull the center up, creating a loop.

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Grab the ends from under the loop and pull tight.

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Slide the tassel down and repeat.

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If the yarn runs out while plain weaving, just drop the yarn behind the loom. Be sure to drop it with at least a few of inches of slack. Bring up a new piece of yarn, as if to continue the weft.

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Create the arc as normal and press down with your fork. I’ll show you how to take care of the loose ends on the backside towards the end of the tutorial.

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There might be a place where you decide to break up your weaving with tassels or sections of varying yarns. To plain weave just a small section, simply continue to weave as normal.

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When you want to turn back simply wrap the yarn around the last warp and weave through the opposite set of warps. It doesn’t matter if it wraps around a bottom or top warp – as long as you return the yarn back the other direction through the opposite set of warps.Create a small arc.

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And press down with the fork. Go back through and take it a few warps further if need be.

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Make an arc and press down. Easy peasy. Continue weaving!

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One weaving technique I love is the soumak, which looks similar to a fishtail braid. To do this, you wrap the yarn around each warp from the right side. And then back through around the left side of each warp. Place the needle under the first warp from the right side of the warp. Wrap the yarn around it and pull until you have a few inches of slack.

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Then wrap the yarn around the second warp – again, from the right side. Pull. Then wrap around the third warp and so on . . .

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Once you reach the end, mirror the technique – this time, wrapping yarn around each warp from the left side. Cut the yarn, leaving slack.

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Wool roving is super soft wool that has not yet been spun into yarn. It usually comes in long, thick bundles that easy to pull apart and manipulate. Incorporating roving into your weaving is super easy – just treat it as yarn and pass it through like a plain weave. Under the top warps first.

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And back under through the bottom warps. When you’re finished, simply give the roving a hard pull on each side and it will naturally separate. Again, be sure to leave some slack!

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Continue weaving until you’ve reached the top.

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To finish all the yarns dropped off the back and the ends, turn the loom around. Thread the extra slack through the needle and tuck it under a series of 3 wefts, lengthwise.

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Trim with a pair scissors.

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To hide the ends, thread the slack through the needle and tuck the thread through a series of 3 wefts, lengthwise, down the edge of your weaving. Trim.

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With roving, simple weave the ends through the warps on the backside, tucking it under every other warp.

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To take the weaving off the loom, carefully snip the warps that are wrapped around the top of the loom – one at time. Tie each set of warps into a square knot. Continue snipping and knotting until the entire piece has been removed from the top of the loom. Repeat the process at the bottom of the loom.

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Hide the warp strings the same way you did with the yarn. Thread each section through the needle and pass it through a series of wefts. Trim and repeat the steps on the bottom.

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To hang the weaving, pick out either a metal rod or wooden stick that measures a few inches wider than your piece. Here I used a piece of driftwood. Thread a 24 inch piece of yarn through the warp and over the mount. Tie into a double knot.

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And back through the second set of warps, around the mount and back through the third set of warps.

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Continue until you’ve reached the end. Tie into a knot knot and snip away any excess. Adjust with your fingers so the weaving lays evenly across the bottom of your mount.

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And that’s all folks! Remember, this is just a basic tutorial. There are many more weaving techniques out there. Take a class, experiment . . . it’s all about having fun!

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(images by HonestlyWTF; tutorial adapted from Native Textile)

Leave a Comment

211 Comments

  1. Mira wrote:

    Awesome diy idea. Omg it looks totally marvelous 😀

    xx Mira

    http://www.glamdevils.com

    6.10.14
    Reply
  2. Rachelle wrote:

    this is so cool but I doubt I can do it.

    xo
    PinkSole

    6.10.14
    Reply
  3. Elisa wrote:

    Really cool!! Thanks for sharing this <3

    http://www.MyFantabulousWorld.com

    6.10.14
    Reply
  4. Lauren wrote:

    That’s far simpler than I though it’d be, still not sure mine would look as good as that though
    Lauren
    livinginaboxx

    6.10.14
    Reply
  5. This really makes for a stunning piece of art.

    6.10.14
    Reply
  6. I love this!
    XO CHAMAFASHION
    http://www.chamafashion.com/

    6.10.14
    Reply
  7. Carmen wrote:

    Great tutorial, thanks for sharing. Will give it a go.

    6.10.14
    Reply
  8. Lefty wrote:

    This is very pretty and original. Great tutorial overall 🙂

    6.10.14
    Reply
  9. Lin wrote:

    Beautiful and great tutorial!

    6.10.14
    Reply
  10. Now this is AMAZING! So beautifully done; can’t wait to try this myself!

    Ashley
    electriceelfashion.com

    6.10.14
    Reply
  11. Vanessa wrote:

    This looks BEYOND beautiful!! Thanks so much for showing us how to do this. I’ve wondered for so long now and this tutorial makes it so easy.

    xoxo,
    Vanessa

    http://crafturday.com/

    6.10.14
    Reply
  12. colleen wrote:

    I’m more interested in the shirt/dress you’re wearing!

    6.10.14
    Reply
  13. Jennifer wrote:

    This might be my favourite tutorial so far!!!

    6.10.14
    Reply
  14. colleen wrote:

    Thanks. pity I live in SA and they don’t ship here….

    6.10.14
    Reply
  15. María wrote:
    6.10.14
    Reply
  16. Great tutorial! I bought a lap look awhile back and was so intimidated to break it out. Your steps and photos are awesome. Thanks so much for sharing.

    6.10.14
    Reply
  17. ashley wrote:

    i might stop everything right now and go do this! the possibilities…

    6.10.14
    Reply
  18. Ariana Beels wrote:

    This is so good.
    Best DIY as of late!

    Thanks a bunch.
    I’m gonna bust one out this w/e.
    Yaaay!

    6.10.14
    Reply
  19. Wow this is really cool! Really great tutorial!

    6.10.14
    Reply
  20. Andrea wrote:

    Really beautiful tutorial. Love it!

    6.10.14
    Reply
  21. Jeanne wrote:
    6.11.14
    Reply
  22. This looks like so much fun

    6.14.14
    Reply
  23. Amiee wrote:

    I love this!!

    It’s definitely on my Summer to-do list!

    Amiee
    http://www.24hourfindings.blogspot.com

    6.15.14
    Reply
  24. This is so awesome. I have been wanting to do something like this after seeing the “ran ran designs”
    Your tutorial rocks!

    6.16.14
    Reply
  25. Fran wrote:

    Excelente tutorial para tejer a telar.
    Espero puedas seguir mi blog

    telarespeulla.blogspot.com

    6.16.14
    Reply
  26. Leanda wrote:

    Such a thorough and clear tutorial – I really appreciate and understand the time that went into it. Thank you! And your weaving is simply beautiful!

    6.21.14
    Reply
  27. lindsey wrote:

    I’ve always marvelled at wall hangings like this, and I’m a knitter. I’m feeling inspired and I can’t wait to make one 🙂 Thanks for posting.

    6.27.14
    Reply
  28. Sally wrote:

    So glad to have found this tutorial–I can’t wait to make my own weaving. This will be a great weekend project!

    7.2.14
    Reply
  29. Erin wrote:

    Thanks for the AWESOME tutorial Erica! So easy to follow. Here is a link to the one I made…

    http://www.queenoftheplushies.com/2014/07/diy-woven-wall-hanging.html

    Thanks again x

    7.27.14
    Reply
  30. Hi Erica! I absolutely love your woven wall hanging- it’s so chic! I recently published a blog post about DIY wall art and included a link to your lovely project. Go check it out! http://stitchandunwind.com/diy-wall-art/

    7.28.14
    Reply
  31. Taylor wrote:

    where oh where did you find that beautiful green yarn?!

    8.4.14
    Reply
  32. Ana wrote:

    I’m starting to make my own this weekend! Just read trough your tutorial and it’s super clear. I’m just wondering…Did you first draw the design or did you just started and let you creativity do the rest? I’m not sure what to do?

    Thanks!

    8.8.14
    Reply
  33. Alycia wrote:

    This piece is beyond beautiful! I love the mix of textures and thicknesses. Gorgeous.

    8.9.14
    Reply
  34. Kelly wrote:

    I’m obsessed with these yarn wall hangings that have circulating around. GORGEOUS! http://www.handmadebykelly.com

    8.19.14
    Reply
  35. zen wrote:

    Great way to use up all that wool I have lying around!

    10.10.14
    Reply
  36. valentoune wrote:

    Awesome !

    12.19.14
    Reply
  37. emi pettersson wrote:

    Thanks for this beautiful tutorial! I would love to try and make this but what are the measurements of the frame?

    1.11.15
    Reply
  38. Mary wrote:

    Thanks so much! This is very helpful and can’t wait to try wool roving!

    1.13.15
    Reply
  39. Michelle wrote:

    Thank you very much for posting this tutorial. I’ve been longing to by one but they’re so expensive. One question: what kind of needle did you use? It’s not mentioned in the materials list.

    1.15.15
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Michelle, oops – sorry about that. It’s been added. A large tapestry needle works great – yarn threads through it easily and the bend tip helps weaving through warps.

      1.15.15
  40. Olivia wrote:

    Hi there,

    I’m using this to make my very first weave, and it’s coming along great, however my only frustration is having to pull about 20ft of yarn through from one side of the warp to the other each time I start a new colour. Is there a way to avoid this, or have I missed something? Or is that just par the course with weaving?

    Otherwise awesome tutorial 🙂

    Thank you!

    Olivia

    1.15.15
    Reply
  41. lotoojin wrote:

    so beautiful. wanna see backside.

    1.31.15
    Reply
  42. Larissa wrote:

    This tutorial makes me less afraid of getting near any type of needle (I cannot even see a button on my shirt)! Thank you. For clearly laying out each step. This is a DIY I can do while recovering in bed, so I feel productive

    2.12.15
    Reply
  43. Megan H wrote:

    Found this post on Pinterest and I am SO glad I did. You’ve done a great job of very simply describing each type of weave, backing it up with really clear photographs. Plus, your finished piece looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this great DIY! You’ve made it possible for me to add this popular design piece to my home.

    2.17.15
    Reply
  44. Victor wrote:

    hello,
    Your tapestries are excellent!! We have some wall tapestry too.
    Please visit: http://www.esculturasdearte.com
    And esculturas de arte
    Thank you
    Victor

    3.11.15
    Reply
  45. Valerie wrote:

    Coucou
    Bravo, c’est magnifique !
    I love it !
    merci pour le tuto.
    Bye bye
    Valerie

    5.19.15
    Reply
  46. whitni wrote:

    We have created yarn kits for this type of weaving. We are having SO much fun making these kits with all of our backstock art yarn. Silks, roving, sparkles, naturals, etc. Check em out here: http://shop.knitterly.net/collections/products/products/weaving-kits

    5.19.15
    Reply
  47. Leonie wrote:

    What’s up to every body, it’s my first visit of this blog;
    this blog includes amazing and actually excellent material designed for visitors.

    5.22.15
    Reply
  48. Waoh, the finishing result is so great, i love it!
    Thanks a lot for this complete tutorial, i’m impatient to make my first weaving!

    11.11.15
    Reply
  49. Becca wrote:

    This is SUCH a good tutorial. Hard to find such detailed instructions anywhere. Thank you!

    1.25.16
    Reply
  50. Marilyn wrote:

    Absolutely stunning wall art! I am working on my first weaving and was looking for ideas on weaving techniques when I came across your blog. I am so happy I did. The tutorial is so easy to follow and i am less intimidated now. Thank you for posting it.
    Marilyn

    2.28.16
    Reply
  51. What a fantastic tutorial demonstrating so many techniques. Thanks you for sharing.

    3.11.16
    Reply
  52. Adam Smith wrote:

    Nice Post !…. Tapestry wall hangings are a form of textile art. Wall hanging tapestries are an beautiful piece of art that you can use as a home decor. Looking for wall hanging tapestry with unique design so, check out: http://www.handicrunch.com/en/textile-handicraft/wall-hangings-and-tapestry.html

    6.7.16
    Reply
  53. Laura D Torres wrote:

    Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

    6.13.16
    Reply
  54. Cris wrote:

    Dear Erica,

    I can not express enough how grateful I’m for your kindness and skills and for sharing this with us.
    Thank you so much.
    I’m going to try to make one or more.

    God bless you, your family and all artists that takes the time to demonstrating what they’ve learned, with others.

    Cris 🙂

    8.16.16
    Reply
  55. Adam wrote:

    I love your way of decor you’re home with Tapestry.These tapestries are lovely and unique in design. I really enjoy your blog.

    8.23.16
    Reply
  56. Linda Maiolo wrote:

    Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial in such clear a understandable way.
    Well done, I will definitely be doing this, I have been using my rigid heddle loom but can’t do this
    kind of thing.
    Thanks again,
    Linda

    8.30.16
    Reply
  57. alina wrote:

    nice blog .thnks for sharing with us. I also want to share some wall tapestry with you . visit here http://www.handicrunch.com/en/textile-handicraft/wall-hangings-and-tapestry.html

    9.23.16
    Reply
  58. Lizzie wrote:

    This is awesome…I think I am ready to give this a try

    9.25.16
    Reply
  59. Hi,I check your new stuff named “DIY Woven Wall Hanging” daily.Your writing style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing! And you can look our website about proxy server list.

    4.14.17
    Reply
  60. Beth wrote:

    Amazing!! I’ll be tackling this one today, thanks for sharing!

    4.27.17
    Reply
  61. Rosa bonilla wrote:

    Hermoso y muy facil aparentemente, voy a tratar de aserlo

    5.18.17
    Reply
  62. Mónica Supersónica wrote:

    This has answered so many doubts and questions I had and has given me hope and made me SO EXCITED!! I’m catching a flight to the states in a few hours… And I can’t wait to get to hobby lobby and pick up some supplies! A MILLION THANKS for this awesome tutorial.

    10.11.17
    Reply
  63. Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it
    was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say,
    I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.
    Do you have any recommendations for beginner blog writers?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

    12.20.17
    Reply
  64. We have some awesome tapestries at our shop. Visit our shop & grab a 20% discount now
    http://shoppingbrains.com

    4.4.18
    Reply
  65. Debbie wrote:

    Wow! I have to be honest. I almost gave up at, “Items You’ll Need”, lol! But your wall hanging is just so beautiful that I had to find out how to do it! Your instructions are so clear & easy (<–we'll see, ha!) that I'm kind of thinking I can do this. I have just about everything I need, so why not try, right? Right!
    Thank you for sharing such a great DIY project.

    9.8.18
    Reply
  66. Jean wrote:

    I can hardly wait to try this. It looks sooo cool! I was looking for a new craft to try my hand at….now I’m inspired. If this works for me guess what my family will receive for their Christmas gifts?

    2.19.19
    Reply
  67. Alice wrote:

    So helpful. Thanks!!

    6.14.19
    Reply
  68. Pilar wrote:

    Awesome! I wish I were able to make it

    2.23.20
    Reply
  69. aira wrote:

    thanks for creating a comprehensive guide on woven wall hanging.. how do you keep the yarn from fraying?

    7.26.20
    Reply
  70. Kaz wrote:

    Thanku so much for great tutorial. Boy have I got it wrong hahaha. I made a loom with nails top and bottom and warped it ( hope that’s the right terminology…threaded the cotton string around the nails )
    I didn’t know you wove a figure eight! so mine are just straight up and down.
    First one I’ve ever done and chose to use material cut into strips instead of wool or cotton thread. What a nightmare haha trying to pull some..not all..reasonably thick material thru the lil gaps hahaha
    Oh god what have I started and why is it so hard
    It sadly put me off for about a day but I thought I’m not gonna let u beat me u bloody thing! so I’ve persevered and I’m about half way thru a landscape. Couldn’t do just some simple lines no I had to go for a pic hahaha
    Anyway I’ll keep going and see how it ends up but thanku again for such a thorough tutorial..the pics are invaluable
    Cheers Kaz from Oz

    9.25.20
    Reply
  71. Ann Hunt wrote:

    Wow you made this look so easy & inviting to try
    Thank you looks like I will start another craft today
    Good way to use up macrame scraps
    Never too old to learn (67)

    10.10.20
    Reply
  72. boooty wrote:

    It’s ugly but great tutorial

    2.4.21
    Reply
  73. my world wrote:

    beautiful vlog

    4.9.21
    Reply
  74. janet wrote:

    Just beautiful.

    6.29.22
    Reply