Paper Plate (and Coffee Stick) LOOM
They are pretty, aren’t they? The best thing about them, however, is how easy they are. Even young kids can manage once you start it for them (it’s a little trickier at the beginning).
This is the coffee stick which we modified a little to turn into a wonderful needle which is perfectly safe for little fingers 🙂
And this is the plate which we turned into a loom by snipping around the edge. We stretched the yarn upon it to make the warp.
Wind the yarn gradually, making sure you only cross one ‘cog’ at the back rather than the whole diameter (see pictures below).
When you have finished making the warp, you are ready to start weaving. Use thick yarn – it’s quicker and it’s prettier. When you’re done with a color, tie the new thread to the old one (make sure they are the same thickness) and carry on.
The first few circles should better be done by an adult, as they are more difficult to manage. After that, however, it gets very easy and entertaining – just remember that each weft thread must go over one warp thread, then under the next one, then over, and under, and so on.
When you are ready, you might leave the weaving on the plate (it’s beautiful enough like this) or remove it by taking the warp ends out of the ‘cogs’!
This type of exercise develops the fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As these qualities are directly related to mental activity, they must be constantly exercised and perfected.
See other аctivities for the development of fine motor skills at KROKOTAK.
What a cool idea!!
We’ve enjoyed this today thanks. … Once we worked out that we needed an odd number of threads!
very nice 🙂
Wow, that is fantastic, will be picking up some plates. Will make lovely handmade gifts.
Great Idea!!!!! Bravo!!!
Hi, What a clever idea! Definitely will try this with my daughter as she has a square loom her dad made her and she loves weaving…. Thanks so much for sharing.
I made a sample for my Sunday school kids and I used a bobby pin as the needle.
Que buena idea los aplicare con mis alumnos, muchas gracias
Thank you for great idea !!!!
To begin, do you tie a knot in the middle? Around all the strings? Thank you!
Hello
Great idea.
I will try this with my elementary students.
What kind of plates do you use?
Plastic or ?
Thanks
Where did you find the coffee sticks?