Summer Weaving for Any Occasion

“When I am in the country . . . I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same.”
—Mr. Bingley, in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This sentiment is from a heated discussion in the novel about whether life is more enjoyable in town (in this case, London) or in the country (large estates situated near small towns). Mr. Bingley, an agreeable-to-a-fault character, is asked his opinion so the matter can be settled—but instead he gives the most wishy-washy answer possible.

However, I have to agree with Mr. Bingley. In fact, I’d take his ideas a step further: When I’m reading a book or watching a movie set in an idealized version of a small town or large city, it feels like the best possible place to live. When I was a child, Anne of Green Gables led to dreams of living in Avonlea; as an adult, I yearn to live in the Paris I see in Amélie. It was this sentiment that inspired me to give our Summer 2026 issue the Town and Country theme.

No two city streets are the same, and neither are these gorgeous Midtown Mosaic Towels by Connie LeTendresse. Blocks of black and white alternating with stripes of spring green make for a very sophisticated take on classic log cabin. Dress your favorite furry friend in style with the Good Dog Collar by Kate Kilgus. The handsome band is reinforced with nylon webbing to make a strong collar that can handle the wear and tear of an afternoon spent off-leash at the local dog park just as well as leashed walks around the block. For her Urban Grid Scarf, designer Jennifer E. Kwong wanted to celebrate the bold and beautiful colors she found throughout the urban landscape. Believe it or not, Designer Deb Essen wove her fun and functional Mug Rugs with a Twist on a rigid-heddle loom.

If you like city life, you’ll love projects inspired by the beauty of urban life. Clockwise from top left: Midtown Mosaic Towels by Conne LeTendresse, Good Dog Collar by Kate Kilgus, Urban Grid Scarf by Jennifer E. Kwong, and Mug Rugs with a Twist by Deb Essen. Click each photo to see the band close-up and get more information on each project.

For this issue, I asked designers to create projects inspired by what they enjoy most about each type of community. Their thoughtful work and genuine love for these places blew me away. Here’s a peek at what you’ll find among these pages:

• Heirloom-quality lace towels woven in fine linen.

• A cheerful checked picnic blanket, perfect for enjoying Shakespeare in the park.

• A coordinating bouquet wrap and bracelet inspired by traditional Latvian flower bands.

• Light and lacy scarves, perfect for those chilly summer evenings.

Decorate your dinner table or patio with the beautiful pin-loom Hexie Knot Mat by Gabi van Tassell. The table topper features twill weaving and pick-up patterning,and because it’s woven in raffia, it’s also absorbent and heat resistant. Featuring the classic combination of linen and lace, Malynda Allen’s heirloom-quality Country Linen Towels are as durable as they are beautiful. Inspired by traditional handfasting bands, Jennifer B. Williams’ Something Blue Bouquet Band will turn even the simplest collection of flowers into something truly spectacular. Weave the coordinating bracelet for members of the wedding party or as a memento of your special day. Sheleigh Peers combined sturdy hemp and delicate lace to create her simply stunning Sheaves of Wheat Table Runner. While the Brooks bouquet and leno lace may look fragile, the bast fiber makes for a cloth that can be used and loved for generations.

Take a trip to the country with these beautiful projects inspired by small-town life. Clockwise from top left: Hexie Knot Mat by Gabi van Tassell, Country Linen Towels by Malynda Allen, Something Blue Bouquet Band and Bracelet by Jennifer B. Williams, and Sheaves of Wheat Table Runner by Sheleigh Peers. Click each photo to see the band close-up and get more information on each project.

I genuinely love every single project in this issue. While I don’t like to play favorites, I admit I have an extra-special fondness for the two adorable pin-loom mice designed by Deborah Bagley based on the children’s story "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse." They’re unbelievably cute, and you really must see them for yourself.

No matter where you live, I think you’ll find something to love in Little Looms Summer 2026!

Happy Weaving,
Christina

Also in this issue

• Malynda Allen doesn’t let living in a dry climate stop her from weaving with fine linen on the rigid-heddle loom. Learn her tips and tricks for warping and weaving with linen—without tears.

• Expand your tablet-weaving potential—literally—by doing your weaving on the rigid-heddle loom. Find out why Deb Essen prefers to use a rigid-heddle loom for her tablet weaving and her method for warping.

• Follow the journey of linen with Tom Knisely, as he takes you from tiny flaxseed to finished cloth.

• Twist is an integral part of tablet weaving, but too much twist building up behind the tablets can cause problems in your weaving. Fortunately, you can take care of unwanted twist with warp-weighted tablet weaving. Get all the details from Stacy Schlutsmeyer on the benefits of this system and how to use it in your weaving.