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Weaving on a Peg Loom
Have you ever heard of a peg loom? Learn more about these interesting looms and how they compare to pin looms, and get a free subscriber-excusive project with instructions for making your own peg loom and weaving a bag on it.
Patchwork Peg-Loom Bag by Maria Cristina Capellotto. Photos by Joe Coca
I love looking through old Handwoven projects because I always discover some new-to-me treasure. Recently, I stumbled upon a peg-loom project—something I didn’t know Handwoven had covered in the past. The Patchwork Peg-Loom Bag by Maria Cristina Capellotto was so unique and so interesting, we had to bring it over for our Little Looms subscribers. Even better, the project has instructions for making your own peg loom!
Now, of course, before I go any further, I’m sure some of you are asking, What exactly is a peg loom? There are two types of peg looms that I know about. First, there are peg looms that look like boards with a row of removable pegs that can be used to make weft-faced cloth. Then, there are peg looms that look like pin looms, but with pegs in place of the pins. It’s this latter kind of loom that was used to weave the project I found. In fact, if I were to name this kind of loom, I’d call it a peg-style pin loom because they’re so similar.
This cute little bag can be woven on either a peg loom or a pin loom.
I love looking through old Handwoven projects because I always discover some new-to-me treasure. Recently, I stumbled upon a peg-loom project—something I didn’t know Handwoven had covered in the past. The Patchwork Peg-Loom Bag by Maria Cristina Capellotto was so unique and so interesting, we had to bring it over for our Little Looms subscribers. Even better, the project has instructions for making your own peg loom!
Now, of course, before I go any further, I’m sure some of you are asking, What exactly is a peg loom? There are two types of peg looms that I know about. First, there are peg looms that look like boards with a row of removable pegs that can be used to make weft-faced cloth. Then, there are peg looms that look like pin looms, but with pegs in place of the pins. It’s this latter kind of loom that was used to weave the project I found. In fact, if I were to name this kind of loom, I’d call it a peg-style pin loom because they’re so similar.
This cute little bag can be woven on either a peg loom or a pin loom.
[PAYWALL]
These peg looms are available as continuous strand/bias-weaving type looms or with a 3-peg configuration for layered weaving. In most—if not all—cases, you can weave peg-loom projects on pin looms and pin-loom projects on peg looms. So, why would a weaver choose a peg loom over a pin loom? Well, some weavers might prefer peg looms because the pegs are thicker and duller. The pegs don’t snag on fabric—or on skin. Some peg looms also come with removable pegs, so you can change the size and shape of your weaving area or change the loom from a 3-pin style to a continuous-strand style. Ultimately, though the choice of peg versus pin loom comes down to preference.
The project itself is quite simple: a bag made up of five woven squares crocheted together. What stuck out for me, though, was the way the designer used her yarn. Instead of using one strand of yarn, she opted for four strands of a fine yarn. For three of the squares, she chose two different colors of yarn, which added an extra layer of visual interest to the bag. Then, as I admired the yarns, I noticed the clever use of crochet. Not only did Maria Cristina use it to join her squares, but she also used it to create a decorative trim around each square while it was still on the loom—something I’ve never seen before.
Whether you weave this project on a pin loom or a peg loom, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Happy Weaving,
Christina
Subscribers can click here to get a free PDF download of the project.
