Our Saudi Arabia weaving project is finally complete

When we were studying Saudi Arabia and we were working on a camels lapbook I ran across a project in a Camels magazine by Zoo Books.  One of the things the magazine talked about was how camel hair is sometimes used to make blankets, rugs, etc.  The book also gave instructions on how to create your own mock loom to weave a pot holder or coaster.  The project was called 'weaving on a loom'.

(I really like most of the content in the Zoo Books series but they also have a very strong evolutionary message so I am careful to either omit it or discuss it with my kids.)

This project took much longer than I anticipated but I was very proud of my kids for being willing to complete it.  My son especially has a hard time completing projects but has really shown a lot of growth this year in this area.  They were both very proud of their finished product and their hard work.


Roo's is on the left.  Beau's is on the right.

The instructions for these projects are sometimes torn out of the magazines as they are usually in the center section so I thought I would add the instructions here for anyone interested.

You will need a 6X6 inch piece of cardboard, a ruler, a pencil, scissors, colored yarn, string (optional).

1.  Mark the top edge of the cardboard every 1/4 inch.  Make a small cut where each mark is.  Now do the same with the bottom edge of the cardboard.

2.  Tightly wind string (or yarn) around the cardboard.  Each loop of string goes into a cut in the cardboard.  Tightly tie together the two ends to hold them in place (these tied ends are at the back of the loom).

3.  Think about the pattern you want to have.  Choose the colors of yarn that you will use.  Cut the yarn into 12 inch lengths.

4.  Weave the first piece of yarn into the string on the cardboard loom.  The yarn goes over the first piece of string and under the next.  Put it under and over each remaining string on the loom.

5.  The next piece of yarn goes opposite the first one.  It goes over and under the pieces of string on the loom.

6.  Be sure to keep the pieces of yarn that you weave close together.  After weaving a piece, push it close to the others that you have woven.

7.  When you have filled the loom with your weaving, turn it over.  Cut the strings on the back in half.  Tie each loose string to a loose piece of yarn that is nearby.  This will form fringe.  Trim the fringe so that it is even.

Your finished weaving can hang on the wall as art or be used as a pot holder or coaster.