Not Just For Kids

Just in time for Christmas, The Man found a gently-used bike for himself at Goodwill. At the same time, I found a small potholder loom. It was a good day for both of us. The new, unused Harrisville Designs metal potholder loom was priced at $1.50. I knew it was worth ten times that amount. I recognized Harrisville Designs as the family-owned New Hampshire company that makes textiles, yarns, and various weaving looms. This was no cheap-o imported plastic loom.

We all had one of these looms as a kid, I think mine was red. And I'm sure everyone probably remembers weaving on the little potholder loom with the day-glo acrylic loops. I guess no one thought about the dangers of acrylic during those days. Compared to natural fibers, acrylic- a petroleum-based fiber, is highly flammable, melts as it burns and is difficult to extinguish. Yikes!

Although my loom came with colorful cotton loops I wanted to use my own yarn. At first I thought I would need to tie loops together but then I found a YouTube video by Noreen Crone-Findlay, demonstrating a continuous warp and weave with yarn. Yay, for using the yarn stash!

I gave it a try and wove a few cotton yarn samples. Using variegated yarns makes it easy-peasy. Using two colors a little more challenging especially since I wanted the edging to be one color. I single-crocheted an edge on one but it's a little too granny for me. On another I made a fringe by hemstitching the edge which was time-consuming. The fringe looks good but defeats the purpose of a speedy quick project.

And though they're nice and heat-resistant (tried it on the hot and heavy cast iron skillet) they're a little small with a finished size of 6" x 6".  Hmmm, let's see, fairly quick and easy to make, useful, very attractive, washable, but a little small.  No problem:

Harrisville Designs Potholder Pro 10" x 10" Loom.

New Toys Fiber Tools

Both sizes work good together as a set. Hot Pots, we've got you covered.