Darning Loom Instructions

Video Tutorial is available on YouTube

What a marvelous invention! A darning loom will help you to repair holes, reinforce worn-out heels and elbows, and decorate garments in ways you couldn't with just needle and thread.

Your darning loom consists of two peices: a wooden disk with a deep groove around the edge and the metal loom. It comes with some sturdy rubber bands that hold these together while you work and a large needle to weave with. Here are some instructions to help you get started:

- I recommend using 4ply/fingering weight yarn but you can experiment to see what works best for your project

• place the wooden disk behind the fabric you're repairing and use a rubber band to hold it in place. You can lodge the rubber band in the groove around the sides of the disk, or just gather the fabric together at the back and hold it there
• wedge the lower curve of the metal loom into the groove around the wooden disk. Use another rubber band to secure it in place.
  
• thread your needle and begin creating your warp (vertical threads) by making one stitch below the hole, wraping the yarn around a hook on the loom and back down to make another stitch. Be sure you wrap around the hooks in the same direction each time.
  
• once your warp threads are in place start at the bottom of your patch and begin weaving from side to side, being sure to secure your thread with one stitch into the fabric on each side of the hole. By flicking the hooks from one side to the other, you will alter which warp thread is on top. Turn your needle so the blunt end leads, to avoid catching in the warp thread. 
  
• Weave as close as possible to the hooks, tucking the horizontal weft thread down tidily each time. Once your patch is complete, remove the loom but leave the wooden disk in place while you stitch down the top of each warp/vertical thread.

Have fun decorating and repairing with your Darning Loom. I'd love to see what you create! Please tag @purlandfriends if you share photos!