Over the years, I’ve put together a lot of gear guides for both Handwoven and Easy Weaving with Little Looms. I started nearly 15 years ago and, with some overlap, that means between the two magazines I’ve worked on well over 100 gear guides featuring more than 400 incredible items for weavers—including tools, notions, wearables, yarns, and looms. I’m constantly amazed by how much is available for weavers these days, including a wide variety of budget-friendly options.
After going through the past few years’ of gear guides, I was inspired to put together a list of five nifty notions and terrific tools from gear guides past. Everything on the list costs $30 or less (not including shipping).
Yarn Holder
Just about anyone who works with yarn has experienced the profound frustration of having your yarn put-up dance around the table or floor as you attempt to unwind it in an orderly manner. Now you can keep your yarns from wandering with yarn holders from Delightfully Dutch. Designed to fit cones, spools, cakes, and balls, the yarn holders are available in three sizes and 13 colors (the single size in rainbow is shown in the photo at top). They also feature a small tool stand on either side, perfect for keeping threading hooks or small scissors close at hand.
Zero-centered adhesive measuring tape from Lofty Fiber
Adhesive Measuring Tape
Centering your warp on the rigid-heddle loom just got easier with the zero-centered adhesive measuring tape from Lofty Fiber. Available in 36- and 48-inch lengths, each tape counts up on either side of a centered zero mark. Place the tape so the zero-marked center is on the center of your rigid-heddle loom, remove the backing, and trim the ends.
Lotion Baah from Middle Brook Fiberworks
Lotion
Dry skin and hangnails aren’t fun at the best of times, but they can cause even more problems when you’re regularly working with yarn. Keep your skin silky smooth with adorable Lotion Baahs from Middle Brook Fiberworks. Made from U.S.-harvested beeswax and other quality ingredients, these bars gently melt with the body’s natural warmth to leave your skin hydrated with just a hint of fragrance. Each lotion bar comes in a reusable tin so you can easily take it to go.
Skein coat from Precious Knits
Skein Coats
Keep your yarn cakes and center-pull balls from becoming a tangled mess with skein coats from Precious Knits. The design is simple—and simply brilliant: Just slip one of these skein coats onto your yarn put-up to keep the yarn firmly in place. The coats are available in two sizes (the 50g mini skein coat is shown above) and dozens of different designs. While the sides of the coat fit nice and tight, the top and bottom are left open, so you can still access the yarn in center-pull cakes and balls. Perfect for when you want to take your yarn traveling—without raveling.
Maker’s Keep magnetic bracelet from Cocoknits
Needle Minder Bracelet
Keep your needles and pins close at hand—literally—with Cocoknits Maker’s Keep magnetic bracelet. The one-size-fits-all silicone slap-style bracelet features a brushed steel-plated magnet just the right size and strength to hold tapestry needles, sewing pins, and any other small-metallic items you might need while weaving. Available in five colors (chartreuse is shown here), the Maker’s Keep is perfect for small-loom weavers who enjoy weaving outside, on the couch, or other non-studio locations.
Whether you’re looking for a weaving-related treat for yourself or a gift for a fiber-loving friend, I hope you enjoyed this list. If you want to support more great information like this, consider subscribing to Little Looms and join us for future issues where we regularly feature the latest small-loom weaving innovations, incredible yarns, and other fun finds we think weavers will love.
Happy Weaving!
Christina