10 tips for hand-woven gifts

1 day ago
6 min read

The most beautiful gifts are certainly those made with love. That's why I have 10 tips for you on lovely gifts that you can weave yourself. From the simplest ones, which even a complete beginner can handle, to those that are more time-consuming and craft-intensive.

All of these woven gifts can be made on classic weaving frames as well as on our adjustable frames.

However, projects 1–7 will be faster to weave on the adjustable frames. You simply set the size you need and save both warp thread and the time usually spent weaving in ends.
Projects 8–10, on the other hand, are better suited for a classic frame, though they can be modified for the adjustable one as well.

1. Pacifier clip

A great gift for all moms. A woven pacifier clip is practically indestructible! And believe me, kids will test it to the very last thread. I recommend:

weaving it long enough to clip on comfortably so it doesn't fall out during sleep, but NOT TOO long; so the baby doesn't get tangled in it in any way;
weaving with cotton, ideally organic, or washing it thoroughly beforehand;
thinking about what kind of clip to sew on (there are wooden and plastic ones; some hold better than others).

Kids will most likely enjoy chewing on the fabric because it’s pleasant on sore gums. A woven clip is also great because it can be sterilized in boiling water (in case it falls on the ground, etc.).

TIME: 2 hours

2. Earbud case

A practical yet cute gift. It only takes a moment to weave a unique earbud case that can also double as a great accessory for a handbag.

I recommend considering:

the size of the earbuds,
a closure that really holds but allows the case to open easily,
whether the case will have a clip for a handbag/backpack or its own long strap.

TIME: 2 hours

3. Bookmark

Around last year, these hand-woven bookmarks started appearing everywhere, and honestly, I didn't really get it. They seemed too impractical to me...

Until I wove one myself! I used to use basically anything as a bookmark, from receipts to postcards, mostly because I’d just end up losing them anyway.

But a woven bookmark definitely won't get lost. Most of the time, I find myself holding it like a talisman; it doesn't just slip away, and they are truly beautiful.

For me, it's a must-have for every book lover!

TIME: 3 hours

4. Coaster

We all have plenty of mugs, but probably not many people have a hand-woven coaster. A absolutely perfect gift for anyone who loves stylish mugs, specialty coffee, or fine tea.

It’s just a small detail, but it’s only since having a small child that I’ve realized how precious these moments are. When I want to feel "fancy" and truly enjoy it, this accessory is a must.

TIME: 4 hours

5. Glasses case

Another practical gift that can become a beautiful accessory for any woman's handbag. Again, I recommend figuring out:

the closure—it should open easily, but keep the glasses from slipping out,
the material, or rather the weight of it; I’d go for thicker yarns, even T-shirt yarn,
whether the case will just be tucked into a handbag/backpack, or if it will have a clip for a bag, a strap like a purse, or a wristlet.

TIME: 4 hours

6. Bracelet

I bring home at least one piece of jewelry from almost every vacation. I love the different colors, techniques, and sizes.

A bracelet might seem like a simple project, similar to the pacifier clip, but weaving can truly work magic. It depends on your skill level, but don't be afraid to experiment with delicate materials and, above all, try out some really interesting techniques and patterns. You can essentially create a mini tapestry for everyday wear.

I think everyone appreciates the hours spent picking out yarns, doing tests, unweaving mistakes, and the weaving itself.

TIME: 2 - 5 hours

7. Pouch and mini-handbag

Gifting someone a handbag requires you to know their favorite colors, taste, style, and what they usually carry with them. On the other hand, a small pouch for a handbag—for creams, a small pencil case, or documents—is a very universal gift in my opinion, which is why these two are in one tip. Consider:

the yarns you want to weave with,
the pattern/technique,
the closure/intended use.

The required size, as well as the complexity and time, will depend on these factors.

TIME: 2 - 5 hours

8. Laptop sleeve

Another in the series of practical gifts that can also please men. Because let's be honest, making something for men is just plain difficult. But they definitely won't turn down a functional, lovingly woven laptop sleeve.

Plus, on this project, you can try out plenty of weaves and techniques, or even practice preparing fabric for sewing if one part is woven and the other is, say, leather. The sleeve could even just have a hand-woven front pocket for a mouse.

So, I recommend considering:

whether the entire cover will be woven and sewn or just a part of it;
if you’re sewing different fabrics together, they should have a similar weight (you can't stitch a delicately woven yarn with thick leather—it just wouldn't work out);
the woven part should be sturdy, as laptops are heavy and there should be no risk of tearing;
what weaves, techniques, and yarns you’ll use (I don't recommend yarns that are too thick or too stretchy, like T-shirt yarn, and no loose weaves: plain weave and twill are your best bets!);
if you’re sewing, secure all the edges of the fabric very firmly (knot everything, and I like to secure all edges with a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine before sewing, which strengthens and flattens them nicely);
how the sleeve will close (don't be afraid to sew a zipper into the fabric—it’s clean and perfectly functional).

TIME: 5 hours

9. Pillowcase

Cushion cover A bit of a classic in the weaving world, but I just love cushions. And I especially love anything with a story, so a hand-woven cushion would make me truly happy. It’s still a practical gift, but it has to be made right! I once bought a hand-woven cushion from my favorite brand, and it basically fell apart after the first wash.

I recommend:

making the weave really tight; a cushion shouldn't just sit on the sofa, it needs to withstand some use;
play around with it a bit and make it playful, colorful and fun ;
thinking about the recipient's interior so the cushion fits in nicely;
consider whether the cover will be completely woven and sewn or just a part of it;
if you’re sewing different fabrics together, they should be of similar weight (you can't sew a delicately woven yarn to a heavy fabric, it just wouldn't work);
what weaves, techniques and yarns you will use (the pillow can be playful, but it should still be comfortable to lie on and, most importantly, shouldn't snag on anything);
weaving with consistent yarns (whether the cushion is cotton or wool, the main thing is that it should be easy to wash);
rinsing the yarns before use to make sure they don't bleed color later;
firmly securing all fabric edges (make knots everywhere, and I like to secure all edges with a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine before sewing to strengthen and flatten them);
deciding how the cover will close (don’t be afraid to sew in a zipper—it's clean and perfectly functional).

TIME: 7 hours

10. Woven wall hanging

From a precise tapestry to a loosely woven wall decoration, a hand-woven wall-hanging is simply the perfect gift for a new apartment, a nursery, or any bare wall. This gift takes quite a bit of time, so it’s good to really think the project through.

Consider:

size ,
the color palette of the room so the wall-hanging fits in beautifully,
the hanging method (from hanging it on a rod, as we do in our workshops, to weaving directly into a frame)..

All of these factors will influence the frame size, the length of the remaining warp, and the finishing technique.

A wall-hanging can be a single-afternoon project or it can take weeks; a complete beginner can handle them, but experienced weavers love them too. Play, explore, and if you don't want to be alone in it or need some advice, come to our weaving workshop, where you can weave exactly this kind of wall-hanging in one weekend.