This week, 5th graders is exploring the world of fiber art by learning how to weave on a cardboard loom! This project introduces students to one of the oldest art techniques in the world while helping them practice patience, creativity, and craftsmanship.
What Is a Loom?
A loom is a tool used to hold yarn or thread in place while another piece of yarn is woven through it. For this project, students created their own simple looms using 6" × 13.5" pieces of cardboard. Small notches along the edges hold the vertical yarn strands, called the warp.
Once the warp yarn is in place, students begin weaving a second strand of yarn, called the weft, back and forth across the loom.
How Students Are Weaving
Students are creating their weaving on one side of the cardboard loom. They weave the yarn over and under the warp strings, switching the pattern on each row. As they continue this pattern, the yarn begins to build into a colorful woven design.
Students can:
Choose different yarn colors
Create patterns or stripes
Experiment with texture and spacing
Each weaving becomes a unique work of art!
Here's how we made ours! Stay tuned for part II!
Skills We’re Practicing
This project helps students develop several important artistic and learning skills:
Fine motor skills through careful weaving
Pattern recognition with the over–under sequence
Creative decision making when choosing colors and designs
Patience and focus as the weaving slowly grows
Weaving is a process that takes time, but students love watching their artwork grow row by row.
A Tradition of Fiber Art
Weaving has been used by cultures around the world for thousands of years to create textiles, clothing, and decorative art. By learning this technique, students are connecting to a long tradition of artists who work with fiber.
We are excited to see the beautiful patterns and colorful designs our young artists create!
Ask your student about the colors they chose and the patterns they are weaving into their artwork!
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