While poring through some back issues of Little Looms, I had a realization: 2026 marks ten years of Little Looms and, with our Spring issue, twenty-five issues total. I know it’s cliché to reach that kind of milestone and say “Oh boy, I can’t believe it’s been ten years!” but really and truly, I can’t believe it’s been ten years!
When we started Little Looms, it was a once-a-year special issue. In 2016, we put it out into the world and hoped people would like it so that we could do a second one in 2017. Fortunately, you all loved it so much that we got that second issue, and many, many more.
Looking through that first 2016 issue and comparing it to the most recent Spring 2026 issue, I’m amazed not only at how much has changed, but also at what’s remained the same. Several designers, including Angela Tong, Susan E. Horton, Deb Essen, and John Mullarkey, have projects in both 2016 and Spring 2026. John Mullarkey’s projects all started as pin loom, but now when you see his name in an issue, you can usually expect tablet weaving. Believe it or not, in that first issue we didn't have any bandweaving projects. Today, I can’t imagine an issue without some sort of band project—Spring 2026 has multiple inkle or tablet-woven designs.
This Slouchy Box Hat was one of two pin-loom projects by John Mullarkey in the first issue.
It was also interesting to remember that back in 2016, we didn’t know whether pin-loom weavers were interested in projects made on pin looms of different shapes and sizes. As a result, every pin-loom project in 2016 was made entirely from 4” square pin-loom pieces. Thanks in no small part to one Gabi van Tassell (and her gorgeous Grape Table Topper from the 2018 issue), we realized that many pin-loom weavers were eager for projects that went outside the box, so to speak, and now you’ll see projects for a variety of shapes and sizes of pin loom—including the classic 4” square.
Leafing through the pages of that 2016 issue was so much fun. I rediscovered some projects I’d forgotten about, but loved then and still love now. One of those is Anne Merrow’s Sea Glass Scarf. What I love about this scarf is how it uses the yarn itself to create a design that’s both visually and texturally appealing. Looking at the photos, I want to grab hold of the fabric and look closer. Even better? The scarf is plain weave and a perfect project for lazy summer weekends.
Anne Merrow’s Seaglass Scarf is a great example of using yarn to create a gorgeous scarf with great texture.
I love this scarf so much that, of course, I have to give it away as a free project download! Consider it a birthday present from those of us at Little Looms to all of you. Even though the scarf was woven ten years ago, it’s still gorgeous. While the Clasico yarn used in the warp and weft has been discontinued, you can try KnitPicks Animation Yarn in Azure or Circulo Natural in Turquoise. The Memphis colorway Anne used in the weft has also been discontinued, but can be easily replaced with any of the blue-based colorways in the Cin Cin line. Don’t be afraid to switch out colors and really make it your own—as a certified Purple Person, I’m already thinking about weaving my own version in violet yarns!
Whether you’ve been on this journey with me since the start or joined me somewhere in between then and now—or even if you’re just joining in on the fun—I’m so glad you’re here!
Happy Weaving, Christina