Introducing Diagonal Weaving on a Square Loom

Last Updated on July 2, 2022 by Cheryl Moreo

Why Would I Want to Weave on a Square Loom?

Diagonal weaving on a square loom is easy and fun. You may weave all sorts of items on the appropriate size of square looms. Dishcloths, clothing, purses, mug rugs, and even blankets if you enjoy sewing. The possibilities are endless. These looms are very portable. I have a jacket that I made using a square loom and a tri-loom.

Diagonal Weaving Materials

Square loom
Crochet hook
Comb
Scissors
Yarn and container

Using any size of a square loom, you can weave continuously with one strand of yarn. I am using a tiny 3 ½” loom for this tutorial.

It will help if you place your yarn in a container, so it doesn’t jump all over while weaving.

Let’s Begin Diagonal Weaving on a Square Loom

Step 1-Slip Knot

Starting about 6″ in from the end of your yarn, make a slip knot.

Hold the loom on a point, and expand the slip knot to the bottom nail and over the top nail.

Expanded slip knot on a square loom — Expanded Slip Knot

Step 2-First Row

Bring the working yarn around the next nail on the left and straight up to the top’s corresponding nail.

starting to weave on a square loom — Bring yarn straight up to the corresponding top nail.

Step 3-Pull Strand Down

Go around the nail from the left. Using a crochet hook from the right side, go over the first strand, grab the working yarn, pull it under the first strand, over the second strand, and hook it on the next nail on the right side.

When you grab the working yarn, you ALWAYS go over the weaving first strand on the right side. You will be going over and under across the weaving as it widens.

Showing how to grab yarn with crochet hook and weave across. — First Row of Weaving

Slide the working yarn down to the next nail on the right side. Pull the yarn snug but not taut and go around the next free nail on the weaving left side.

Pulling yarn down to bottom nail — I am pulling yarn down to the bottom nail.

Step 4- Continue Weaving

Go around the nail and straight up to the corresponding nail at the top and repeat as before.

Notice that your weaving is done for you at the bottom. At the bottom, you go around the next available nails. Therefore, your bottom and top should mirror each other.

Remember, weaving always is smaller off the loom. For this reason, it is crucial to maintain an even snug tension. Also, a pick or comb of some sort comes in handy in aligning the weaving. You want to keep your weaving even.

Weaving on square loom — The top and bottom weaving should mirror one another.

Step 5-What to do when the weaving widens.

Depending on the size of your loom, you may have to weave across a few strands at a time until you reach the nail. Remember the strand you went under on the last Row; you go over in this Row. As you pull your yarn across, keep the working end on the bottom so you don’t twist your yarn. The strands (warp) you need to go under are usually positioned lower than their neighbors.

Check periodically to ensure you haven’t skipped any nails. If you did, use your crochet hook and move the loops up.

The Last Row

If you are weaving on a pin loom (sets of 3 nails spaced apart), you may have an extra nail. Just ignore it.

Yarn at the top, go around the topmost nail, make a last check of your weaving, and cut your working yarn, allowing for the over and under weaving of the yarn (I allow twice the loom’s length), weave the end down to the bottom. You can leave the end, but I usually go around the last nail and over the yarn strand and pull the tail’s end through the loop.

Final row of diagonal weaving on a square loom — Cut yarn and weave down to the bottom.

Finished Square on loom — Finished Square on Loom

Carefully pop your weaving off the loom and block.

Congratulations, you have just woven your first diagonal square!

I hope you found this lesson about Diagonal Weaving on a Square Loom helpful. Please share any comments or questions you have in the Comment area towards the bottom of this page.

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Where to Find Square Looms

My small weaving looms include different sizes and styles of looms from the following makers:

The Woolery has a large selection of pin looms from various manufacturers.

Hazel Rose Looms

I have used Hazel Rose Looms for years. They are a husband and wife team. They specialize in the 4″ pin looms and have many other options. Be sure and check out their Facebook Page. I purchased the 3 ½ “loom I used in this instruction from Hazel Rose Looms.

Hillcreek Fiber Studio

In the early 1990s, Carol Leigh of Hillcreek Fiber Studio was my first introduction to loom weaving. They sell tri-looms, square looms, rectangular looms, tripod stands, and adjustable-size looms. I highly recommend Carol Leigh’s book on Continuous Strand weaving. In her books, she also covers Diagonal Weaving on a Square Loom.