Which is the best potholder loom and why?
July 25, 2009 by Noreen Crone-Findlay
Filed under potholder looms and potholder loom weaving, weaving and handweaving and looms
One of my readers asked me a really good question:
‘What is your preferred potholder loom and why?’
First of all, let me dispell any thoughts that potholder looms are just for weaving potholders! (Although they do make excellent ones….) .
The potholder loom is a small loom that is vastly under-rated in it’s creative potential. I have been designing with and for it for years and keep coming up with more and more neat things to weave with it. Nuff said on that point…. and on to the comparisons…..
photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
There are 3 different kinds of potholder looms that are commonly and easily available:
Plastic, metal and wooden.
Potholder looms are square looms that are approximately 7 inches/18 cm along each side.
Usually each side of the loom will have 18 pegs, but there are variations-the wooden potholder loom from American Baby has 14 pegs, and I have a vintage potholder loom that has 20 pegs.
Most potholder looms create a square that is 6 inches/15 cm square.
Alright, so what are the pros and cons of the different potholder looms?
The plastic looms are cheap and cheerful, but sometimes, you can get one that is too flexible. If you end up with one like this, I’d recommend putting it in the recycling. Super flexie plastic looms are infuriating to work with.
BUT, if you find one that you like, then it can be a good choice for travelling, as it is light, and there shouldn’t be a problem with taking it through security. (I have flown with plastic potholder looms a lot, and have never had a problem, especially if you use a chopstick weaving hook. Actually, I have never had a problem with flying with metal ones, either, but I figure plastic is a safer choice- it’s so clearly a non-threat!)
The other downside with plastic potholder looms is that they have rather short prongs that aren’t usually shaped all that well to really grip the yarn. So, it’s best to stick with springy yarns and NOT cotton that has no give in it, as it will tend to pop off the loom.
(TIP: place rubber bands over the top and bottom edges once the loom is warped to keep the warp on the loom)
photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Metal potholder looms, especially the ones made by Harrisville, are great. The prongs are usually shaped well to hold onto the yarn.
They are a little heavier than the plastic looms, and I once had one hit me in the face when we were driving…. (big unavoidable pothole in the road, and poor Jim was aghast when he saw the loom fly up at me….) I wasn’t hurt, but since then, I don’t weave with a metal loom in the car!
Potholes in the road aside, metal potholder looms are a dependable, all round wonderful loom.
The wooden loom from American Baby is a very nicely made loom.
But, these have 14 pegs, not 18. This means that you need to work with more strands of yarn held together, or thicker yarns, or fabric strips etc, since it creates a more open fabric if the yarn is too thin.
photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
In the photos, the squares are all 6 inches square, but you can see the difference in size of the weave structure in the brown square (Bernat Super Value Harvest Colors) that was woven on the wooden potholder loom. The cream colored one is Lily Sugar n Cream cotton, and the variegated pink is a lighter weight acrylic (Jr Jacquards by Bernat), so it is a more flexible fabric than the cotton.
If you plan on working with fabric strips or thicker weight yarns, then going with the 14 peg loom is a good choice. if you prefer to work with lighter weight yarns, then definitely stick with an 18 peg loom.
Which one do I prefer the most? I am very attached to all three. They all are excellent looms-although the plastic one is the most finicky, and can be frustrating at times….but, if you need to stick to a tight budget, it’s hard to argue with the low price point.
Would I part with any of them? Not a chance.
Do I use all of them? You bet!
Do I love the potholder loom? Indeed I do! and am constantly designing for it!
Potholder loom Sources and Resources:
Plastic potholder looms link
Metal potholder looms link
What can you make with potholder looms? link
How to weave with yarn on the potholder loom link (video)
How to weave with fabric strips on the potholder loom tute
What an informative article! Thanks for the info. Now I’m off to experiment with my potholder loom.
)
Noreen -
thanks to you I am now a huge fan of potholder weaving! As much as I enjoy using larger looms, there’s a lot of satisfaction watching the squares pile up when weaving on the potholder loom.
I like my Weavettes for some things, but the potholder loom is great for a thicker square, not as thick as what you make knitted or crocheted, depending upon gauge. Plus, I love how the woven fabric feels!
You come up with the most amazing things, and I must admit I’ve gotten tons of inspiration from you. Thank you so much!
Thanks, Mary Ellen! Have fun with your potholder loom!
Hi Tammy
Heeheehee…. they call me the Queen of the Potholder Loom
I am so pleased that you are enjoying yours so much!
and thanks
heeheehee
LOL
The potholder loom that I had as a child was what got me addicted to weaving. How I loved to make potholders from cotton loopers! Eventually I sewed them together to make bags and placemats and all kids of things.
I did not like the polyester loopers and never thought about using thick or many strands of yarn. So obvious… yet I was vested in loopers!
My loom was metal and that’s the kind I prefer. You can bend the prongs back a bit so the loopers don’t fly off. The plastic variety were nothing but frustration for me. I’ve never used the wooden kind.
Hi Suzy
I didn’t have a potholder loom as a child….. perhaps it’s better that I didn’t, as I might have grown up thinking that the looper thingies were the only way to go with them… who knows?
Anyhow, I absolutely adore them now, and find great joy in designing for the potholder loom! Yay!
The plastic ones are definitely NOT a good choice for yarns that don’t have lots of spring in them- that can be crazy making.
and, the wooden looms are lovely… as are the metal ones…..
Happy Weaving!
I tripped across your site today after an insane frustration in losing 4 potholders last week. (I have a feeling now, they are in the play kitchen) so I wanted to buy a loom thinking I would just make them for around a dollar each. Post pricing online the nylon and cotton loops are more costly than I expected, not that it is a big amount but it takes the cost up by about the price to purchase one.
Long story short, I read your article just in time, went about my shopping and purchased a $5 loom with enough nylon loops to make 4 potholders (and enough for one of the triangles you showed below)
thanks, this is exactly what I needed and wanted to add a question to follow up from this:
What yarn do you prefer for potholders?
Hi Tricia
Thanks so much for asking me the really good question about yarns to use for potholder looms.
It’s such an important question that I blogged about it:
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/another-great-question-about-potholder-loom/
Hope you have a great time with your potholder loom! They are truly WONDERFUL looms!
I remember making potholders as a kid on my sister’s little metal frame.
Hi Jon
) Lucky ducky! I didn’t have a potholder loom when I was a child- but then, it’s never too late to have a happy childhood! LOL
)
Your sister’s loom is actually a wonderful tool- and can be the source of great creativity! I LOVE potholder looms and have a fab time designing all manner of splendiferous things with it.