Yarnworker School of Weaving - Yarnworker - Know-how for the rigid heddle loom

The Yarnworker School is a community-funded, online school devoted specifically to rigid-heddle weaving. As your instructor, I invite you to join in and weave wherever you are in your weaving journey. Whether you need foundational classes that build your skills or a fun and challenging weave-along, there is something here for you.

The Yarnworker School is supported by a generous community of Patrons. Patrons are eligible for discounts on classes and have access to all weave-alongs for free and other bonus learning opportunities. They are what made my dream of having a little school in the cloud a reality. For that, they have my unending thanks.

Weave-Alongs are an opportunity for you to challenge yourself in the company of other weavers. The education portion of the weave-alongs is free while they are active and since 2020 I’ve offered the patterns on a pay-what-you-wish basis. After they are over, I assign a fee to help support the school. Patrons, who are the primary funders of the Yarnworker School, can access weave-alongs at no fee at any time.

Free Classes

ridgid heddle loom with multi-colored weaving project — Why This Loom

Classes

Liz pointing to weaving pattern overhead photo of table with woven fabric, yarn, ridgid heddle tools — Weaving 101: The Basics

Liz demonstrating striped woven fabric — Weaving 201: Colorwork

Liz demonstrating indirect warping — Weaving 202: Indirect Warping

ridgid heddle loom with blue and white cloth — Weaving 301: Pickup

woven swatches hanging on a wooden peg board — Weaving 302: Swatching

Weave-Alongs

Weave-alongs are free while active. Patrons of the Yarnworker School can access weave-alongs at no fee at any time. Hop on the Yarnworker mailing list to keep up to date with new releases.

2022 Weave-Alongs

blue and white ridgid heddle woven cloth — FREE: Winter 2022 Weave-Along: Color-and-Weave Twill

2021 Weave-Alongs

green and yellow woven band against wooden background — Summer 2021 Weave-Along: Colorwork Bands $35

stack of woven fulled or felted costers — Spring 2021 Weave-Along: Full On Challenge $35

woman modling brown red and white striped woven ruana, a poncho-style garment — Winter 2021: Doubleweave Colorwork Ruana $35

2020 Weave-Alongs

moss green woven pillow — Winter 2020 Weave-Along: Tweed and Twill Pillow Cover $35

green woven table runner with straw colored embroidery and ball of yarn — Spring 2020 Weave-Along: Weave Our Way Through $35

close up of yellow and grey weaving — Summer 2020 Weave-Along: Mini Rugs $35.00

small woven striped crossbody bag — Fall 2020 Weave-Along: Tubular Doubleweave Crossbody Bag $35

2019 Weave-Alongs

close up of blue and purple skip-a-slot placemats — Winter 2019 Weave-Along: Skip-A-Slot Placemats $35

striped woven napkins — Spring 2019 Weave-Along: Napkins Two Ways $35

collage of varigated yarn and woven cloth — Fall 2019 Weave-Along: Variegated Yarn Challenge $35

2018 Weave-Alongs

off-white and light brown woven blanket with fringe — Winter 2018 Weave-Along: Hudson Bay Inspired Doubleweave Throw $35

close up of textured woven linen facecloths — Spring 2018 Weave-Along: Linen Facecloths $35

close up of woven rag rugs — Summer 2018 Weave-Along: Rag Rugs $35

2017 Weave-Alongs

four blue and white woven towels — FREE: Summer 2017 Weave-Along: Four Looks Kitchen Towels

close up of twill border on woven table runner — Fall 2017 Weave-Along: Twill Be Done Runner $35

The Difference Between Weave-Alongs and Classes

Classes

I offer a series of classes to build your foundational skills. You can start with the free class, Why This Loom, to explore the reasons why you may want to explore the rigid-heddle loom. From there, I offer a series of classes starting with Weaving 101, which assumes you know nothing about weaving on a rigid heddle loom, and walks you through all the foundational information you need from loom mechanics, terminology, selecting yarns, setting up the loom, reading a weaving pattern, weaving with confidence, and finishing strong.

Other classes build on this foundation and cover topics such as colorwork, indirect warping, and using a pick-up stick. Throughout all the classes, I offer lots of tips for designing your own projects based on what you learned in the classes.

Weave-Alongs

If you already have a few foundational skills, I invite you to the School’s Weave-Alongs. To participate in a weave-along, I assume you know the basics—you have warped and woven a couple of projects, are comfortable with basic weaving vocabulary, and are ready for a challenge. These educational portions of the weave-alongs are free from their start to 30 days after they are over. After that time, I assign a fee to support the school.

They continue because of the generous support of the Yarnworker Patreon Community. Become a patron, and get behind-the-scenes information, discounts on classes and Yarnworker publications, cool rewards, an invitation to join a private forum, and my undying thanks!

To learn more about the history of the weave-alongs and the school’s development, visit the FAQ page.

Heddles up!

Liz Gipson
Yarnworker School of Weaving