Weaving for Beginners:
An Illustrated Guide – 2nd Edition
Available in print and PDF versions.
Peggy’s newest book provides beginners with the information they need to weave in a clear and enjoyable Step-by-Step way. Over 600 drawings illustrate each step. As her many students have discovered, she inspires confidence in every project. This is the book students wish for, and teachers have been waiting for. Both back-to-front and front-to-back warping are included. There are comprehensive chapters on rigid heddle weaving, computers and weaving, drafting, selvedges, sett, how to plan projects and suggestions for future projects.
PRINT VERSION – Click “Add to Cart” button below.
©2014 • Hard cover with lie-flat wire-0 binding; 424 pages; over 600 illustrations • $49.95
Winding a Warp & Using a Paddle
The first book in the series, Peggy Osterkamp’s New Guide Weaving, guides you through every step of planning a project and measuring the warp threads in preparation for putting them onto the loom. The chapter on paddles explains how to warp with multiple threads at a time. Learn how to plan projects; determine how long to measure your warps as well as how much thread you need for the whole project. Comprehensive information and tables on yarns and sett (epi.).
Peggy Osterkamp’s special skill is making the richness of her training and experience accessible to weaving students. ©2005 • 3rd printing, revised edition; 138 pages; 195 illustrations. Lie-flat wire-0 binding • $39.95
CLICK HERE to see the introductory chapter: “Using a Paddle”
Now back in print!!
Warping Your Loom & Tying on New Warps
Available in both print and PDF versions!
In Book 2, learn how to prepare your loom for weaving — beginning at the back of the loom. You will learn how to beam on, thread, and sley the reed. Chapters on sectional beaming, tying on new warps, knots, and adjusting jack, counterbalance and countermarch looms. Step-by-step instructions and sections at the ends of chapters for quick reference. Having Peggy’s books at your loom is like having a patient teacher at your side.
Fourth edition ©2021, revised edition; 206 pages, over 200 illustrations. $55.00
*** Click the yellow “Add to Cart” button below to order the print version. ***
• PDF digital download version of Book 2 – $27.50
> Order digital download here <
Weaving & Drafting Your Own Cloth
Book 3 guides you through every step from weaving motions, shuttles and selvedges to finishing your cloth. When problems come your way there’s an extensive chapter on troubleshooting. The drafting chapter explains how to create your own designs as well as to use drafts in books and magazines. Fabric analysis, and the basics of multi-shaft weaving are also included extensively. It is written for novice and experienced weavers and teachers, and especially for those weavers who think that they will never understand drafting. ©2005 • Lie-flat wire-0 binding; 267 pages; 366 illustrations • $44.95
Warping the Loom Back to Front
This comprehensive DVD thoroughly explores the process of dressing a loom by yourself, from back to front. After discussing materials and tools, Peggy divides the warping process into 6 easy steps: 1 – Measuring the Warp; 2 – Loading the Raddle; 3 – Beaming the Warp; 4 – Threading the Heddles; 5 – Sleying the Reed and 6 – Tying the Warp to the Cloth Beam Apron Rod. Close-ups and wide shots show the details. Trouble-shooting and problem-solving examples are given. Pause at any time.
©2005 • Running time 62 minutes (color) • DVD $19.95 + shipping and handling.
Now you can either purchase my “Warping the Loom Back to Front” as a real DVD or download it or stream it on demand from the Vimeo website. I am thrilled that I can offer all of these methods to my customers. I have reduced the physical DVD price from $34.95 to $19.95. The Vimeo options are to buy it for $9.95 (stream or download anytime) or rent it for 48 hours for $4.99. See my Vimeo page HERE. I’m proud to say that after 14 years in production, people are still ordering the DVD.
Please enjoy the weaving tips below that I’ve accumulated over quite a few years. I have just published the most popular tip as a Kindle booklet: Peggy’s Weaving Tips: Hemstitching! It is an enhanced version of the tip plus a gallery of hemstitching variations. It is available for download on Amazon for $2.99. Of course it can be viewed on all Kindle readers and on most smart phones, tablets, and computers if you install the free Kindle reading app on your device. Watch for more eBooks on weaving tips. Any suggestions for tips?
For those who have been tied up in knots trying to tie weaver’s knots this Kindle booklet is for you! Three methods to tie a weaver’s knot plus how to tie a double weaver’s knot are included. How to undo a weaver’s knot and how to know if it is tied correctly are valuable descriptions. Detailed illustrations show the steps for tying other knots that hand weavers use. Light and dark cords make clear the path that each part of a knot is to take. Various knots are grouped together to show their similarities which also aids learning. A chart shows given situations and what knot(s) to use. Over 65 illustrations are shown for 20 different knots that weavers need to know.
I decided to buy your book purely on faith, because I have read so many rave reviews about it. I have wanted to learn to weave my entire life, and now that I’m a year away from retirement, I just bought a Kromski rigid heddle loom and joined the Seattle Weaver’s Guild. I guess I just jumped in with both feet, but it feels good! Looking forward to receiving your book.
I would love to be able to buy your books, especially Weaving for Beginners, for my store. Can I buy them direct from you?
Yes, but I am in the process of reprinting. The new edition will be available mid April.
My weaving guild has a copy of your book. I borrowed it from the guild library and soon decided this is a book I need to have in my own library!
I’ve just ordered it; now I have to sit back and wait for it to arrive (mid-April!!!).
Meanwhile I guess I will have to be content with your blog and weaving pages, both of which I enjoy.
This is you lucky day! Your getting my last copy. I will mail it tomorrow.
Peggy
Does “Weaving For Beginners” cover any of the topics that are in your other books, particularly Books 2 and 3? I’m trying to decide which one(s) to buy.
Books 1,2 and 3 are very detailed–like references. The beginning book is detailed but only what I think the beginner needs or will run into. Each of the other books deals only with specific parts of the whole process. For example, sett is in both, but more comprehensive with all the whys will be in Book #1. Adjusting looms will be in #2. etc. If you are experienced, think about the single books. If you feel you are an intermediate or will be teaching others, get the beginner one to start with is my suggestion. Note that #2 will soon be out of print and only availabe as a pdf.
Peggy
I think I already replied. If not, the single books are more references for the experience weaver. Each book covers one aspect of weaving. For example, making the warp and planning and the paddle are in Book #2. Adjusting looms and putting the warp on and tying on new warps are in #2. etc. If you are an intermediate weaver or planning to teach, get the beginner book. Note that #2 will be out of print soon and only available as a pdf.
Are these books available as an ebook? I’m in Australia, do you know of any stockists here if no e version?
I am from Mexico City and would like to buy the DVD. Where can I buy it?
Do you have ebooks? Is the DVD for all countries?
Thanks Cecilia
My book, Warping Your Loom & Tying On New Warps will be available as an ebook soon. Try back in a couple of months. The DVD I don’t know about–I send it to Europe and Australia, but don’t know about Mexico. Can you check on your end? You can order it from my website. I can send anything to Mexico. Shipping is expensive, but I could work out a deal for you if you order more than one item. Email me for details.
I was looking at getting some of these books sometime and noticed the one i was looking at is due to be a pdf soon. Is there a good way to get notified on this? A newsletter or FB page? or should i just check back again?
Thanks
If you subscribe to my home page you’ll get a post to announce when the PDF book(s) are available.
Hello,
Re: Weaving for Beginners: An Illustrated Guide
the above book says 2010, but a comment from this past spring says a new edition was coming out. I’d like the hard book. Where / when should I get the mot current book please?
Thank you, V
Thanks for pointing this out – we’ve corrected the page to show the correct date of the current publication:2014.
Which of your books would be best for learning how to warp a sectional loom?
Pamala –
Book # 2 ” Warping your loom & Tying on new warps” would be the book for you.
There’s a whole chapter on on sectional beaming.
Peggy
Is there any word on when “Warping Your Loom” will be available again, either in printed form or as a PDF?
I truly hope the end of March. My publisher has had big health problems and i must work with her. At that time I hope to have print-on-demand available as well. Thanks for your understanding. Peggy
Por fortuna me tope con su pagina …me gustaría obtener sus libros…por lo que lei todavia no hay ejemplares disponibles..porfavor contacteme cuando lo esten…..mi ultima consulta es si distribullen fuera de su pais pues yo soy de Chile…desde ya gracias
Hi Peggy
I was lucky this past Christmas and Santa bought me a 32″ Rigid Heddle loom. I would like to have a floor loom some day but I thought it might be better to start out smaller. I keep looking at the reviews on your new book “Weaving for Beginnners” would this book be helpful to me having a rigid heddle loom or is it geared more for weavers that have the larger looms?
Thank you for your time.
Tami
There is only one chapter on rigid heddle looms so I think wait until you get a table or floor loom before ordering my book–unless you want to know more about it. There are books specifically for rigid heddle looms which probably would be best. My book is comprehensive and costs $50 so you might want to think hard about it at this time. thanks for asking, Peggy
would like to know if you still sell dvd Warping the loom back to front?
I sent yours yesterday. Peggy
I’ve got the 1995 edition of volume 2. I’m an experienced weaver, although I haven’t had the right sort of space for a while. Also, I’m getting my daughter interested in weaving as an adult. She’s got lots of textile experience. (I went to the extreme of remodeling my kitchen so we would need new distills and table linens.) I’ve ordered volumes 1 & 3. I know volume 1 has updates that I will use, and I hadn’t gotten volume 3. What changes are there to volume 2?
Also, the site pages need a way to get back to the cart without adding anything. I clicked the continue shopping button on the PayPal end so I could look at another page. When I decided not to buy volume 2, I couldn’t get to the cart without adding something and manually backing it out. Even if I had decided that I wanted volume 2 now, it would have been a problem for me. I’m on my iPad and would want the ebook on my PC. (Yes, I’m a geek.)
Thanks for telling me about the problem with the website in ordering. My computer guy comes tomorrow and we will work on it. As for the new revised #2: no, there’s not much but little changes and clarifications/edits that came up in the 8 years after the previous printing. I did add a new chapter on the warping wheel for sectional beaming that is comprehensive. If you could continue to check out the ordering problem for me and since you have so many of my books, I will send the pdf to you as a thank you (since you are the geek that I am not). Also, I recommend you get my book Weaving for Beginners for your daughter. It is comprehensive but not the reference that the other books are. And therefore, much more accessible and more illustrations. I think you’ll use it as well, but especially to teach her or for her to teach herself.
Hi Peggy loving your books Are you going to bring your other books
Into the PDF format?
No, the others are still very much in print.
Hello.
I just wanted to say thenk you for your wonderful website. After many more years then I care to admit, I aam getting back into weaving. I have to be honest woth, yself and say I am a beginner again. I just received a 4 harness counter balance floor loom from a dear friend of mine, who sadly can no longer use it. I wish she lived closer, to teach me, but that is imppssible at the moment. Now imagine how happy I was to find you wrote books! I will deffinitely start saving up to get them. Being on a budget is difficult sometimes, but they will mean even more to me, once I finally get them.
Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge with the rest of us, and for all the hard work you poured into this page and in your books.
Best wishes to you,
Bridgett from Washinton State
Think about getting my book: Warping Your Loom & tying On New Warps which is only available as a PDF–less expensive, too. There is a chapter about adjusting looms and lots of information about counter balance looms. Good luck. Peggy
I just downloaded your Warping Your Loom & Tying on New Warps digital book. Is it possible to publish a version with bookmarks? Takes just a few minutes and makes navigation so much easier.
I tried to add bookmarks, but the book is protected.
Thanks
That didn’t seem an option when I had the book done in pdf. I hope you can manage without it. Peggy
The paging in the Contents doesn’t match the actual pagination in the .pdf because the Contents pagination starts after the Contents pages while the .pdf pagination starts at the cover page.
Bookmarks allow the reader to jump to the correct page. I’ve used them from the first Acrobat Pro versions. I prefer to make it easy for the reader.
Hello,
Which of these books/dvds would help me learn how to warp a loom with high-twist, hand-spun singles yarn?
I am an experienced weaver with both a floor loom and frame loom, but new to weaving with high-twist yarn.
Thanks in advance for your recommendation.
The DVD will address warping and threading the loom. While threading, cut the loops one at a time and hold the ends of the yarns so the twist doesn’t run out. Then after threading those 2 ends, knot them together to keep in the twist. Keep these two ends together in the reed so you don’t have to untie them and worry again about losing the twist. Practice first with a small warp to see how you want to set up for threading . Feel free to email me with questions.
Thanks so much; I just ordered the dvd. Threading two ends into two heddles without letting the twist run out sounds like a project for a three-handed person, but I will watch the dvd and give it a try.
Best, Ruth
I am a beginner weaver. I have borrowed this book from my weaving guild, but I feel that I need this book for my own library.
Hi Peggy I am doing a book review on your third book about Weaving & Drafting for our Guild newsletter.
I need to know if it is still available as you had published it 2005.
I need an answer today PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE! Sandy
I ordered your book, but have received no information about when I might be receiving it. Can you help?
Thanks!
Marjorie Clay
mclay@charter.net
It’s in Springfield MA today–should be there soon. So glad for tracking numbers with the Post Office! Thanks for your order and patience.
Peggy
Hello. Do you post books to Australia?
How much would postage cost for Weaving For Beginners to be posted to me in Australia please?
Thank you 🙂
Postage is $35.
Peggy, I’ve recently bought an Ahrens old school loom. I’m thinking it must be one of the first Jim Ahrens ever made. On the two beams it has canvas wrapped around the beams. Do you know what those are for? I’m new to weaving and purchased this because Mr. Ahrens was designing his looms in a manner that made scense
to me, that being easier to set up and use. Thankyou for your time, Laura
Hello from England! I have purchased the ‘Weaving for Beginners ‘ pdf book but am unable to download sadly!( I get an error message saying I have exceeded my limit?!) I have an iPad not a computer…Any help most gratefully received!
Best Wishes,
Zarah
Glad that you got it this time. Peggy
Hello
I am new to weaving and have a very tight budget. I would like to build a Ahrens loom from scratch. Would you know of a place i could find a woodworking plan on howto build a Ahrens loom?
not a chance!
Dear Ms Osterkamp,
Several years ago were have started to weave making good use of your book Weaving for beginners. Art that time we could buy that book in Holland. We are now also keen to get your other books, but sadly they are no longer available in Europe, as far as I can see. Would it be possible to order directly from you, and would you be willing to send the books to Holland?
Thanks for a reply.
Wim
Yes, you can order them on my website. Note that there is a stay at home special. If you buy one book you can get one free. If the postage charged is more than necessary, I will refund the extra charges to you.
Peggy
I am interested in learning how to weave but the books in the library are way over my head. Is your book Weaving for Beginners good for an absolute novice like myself or do I need something even more basic (some of the terminology in the other books are daunting).
My book is for you if you want to learn on a floor or table loom. If you want to weave on a frame loom or rigid heddle loom, it isn’t for you. If a real loom is your wish, then I absolutely start you at the beginning with all the terms, 600 illustrations, etc. I wrote the book for you.
Peggy
can you suggest a table loom to start with your book?
can the beginner book be used to learn on a backstrap loom? I’m not quite sure I can afford an expensive loom right now. But maybe later I would be interested in buying a table loom with 16 shafts… does your book teach how to weave with 16 shafts?
Thanks!
No to backstrap looms. I suggest if you are thinking of a real loom, look on eBay and Craig’s List. Asking around for weaving guilds in your area is a good thing, too. Many people have looms to pass on just to a willing new weaver at no or almost no cost. Contact HGA Handweavers of America to find guilds in your area. A guild is just a club–nothing professional about them. My book is about learning to weave on a loom from the beginning so only 4 shafts. I do have another book Weaving and Drafting Your Own Cloth that tells how to deal with multi shafts–it is a must for that, I’d say. But it doesn’t tell how to set up a loom or anything like that.
Good luck,
Peggy
thank you for the info!
Does the beginner book teach different weaves for warp-faced, weft-faced, and balanced weaves?
Thank you!
Do you intend to publish another edition of Book No. 2? If so, when might that happen. I would very much like to purchase it in book form.
Thank you
No. It’s very costly and not enough demand. I hope your copy shop can do a good job.
Peggy
Hi,
Does weaving for Beginners also include your knowledge for production weaving?
I just listened to your podcast with Tigan from the professional weavers podcast and would love to get a copy of the book you are referring to there.
I just bought an AVL PDL 16 shafts, 60 inch loom that will arrive end this month. I could really use some guidance on the production weaving part.
Thank you so much!
First there is a LOT of information at the website: ahrenslooms.com for you to understand your AVL loom. Production techniques are included my book, Warping Your Loom & Tying On New Warps. It’s available as a pdf on my website: peggyosterkamp.com. Then, the information in my Weaving for Beginners is mainly information Jim Ahrens taught us in his production classes. I taught the techniques to my beginning weavers from the start. It is available as a pdf or hard copy. The other two books are techniques Jim taught us with more indepth information: the “whys”. Weave motions, how to use end delivery shuttles, selvedges, etc. etc. is important information for production or just plain pleasurable weaving in the books. Check the website.
Peggy
Hi Peggy,
Thank you so much for your reply. I took a look at the website you mentioned, Jim Ahrens really sounds like an inspirational man!
I just downloaded your second book and think it’s great, I am going to get it printed in the copy shop and it will definitely help me a lot while setting up sectional for the first time in a few weeks.
I am also interested in buying your 1st and 3th book, but is it possible to also buy it via PDF download? I live in Belgium and the shipping cost is quit a lot, so I wanted to double check… I am very happy to have found your books and that you took all the time to write this knowledge down is priceless for the new generation weavers, so thanks for that! 🙂
Hi, I have just bought and reassembled at home a varpapuu four shaft Finlandia loom. I just duplicated the tie up as it was. I have no experience of a floor loom at all. I need advice with warping up the thing. I’m happy to “wing it” for now on the rest. Should I buy the whole deal book or would the extra detail in the specific book for warping etc be more use to me? I am in the UK and can get to handweavers in London.
Just get the Weaving for Beginners. I wrote it for you. The shop can help, too, I’m sure.
Peggy
Thank you so much, I will hop on the train this week and pay them a visit.
One last question, I was reading a snippet of your wisdom referring to “waking/dancing” the treadles. As I (currently) only want to make rag rugs from recycled fabrics, is it possible to “just” tie up two shafts to two treadles and leave the rest alone? Or is the best method tyeing four shafts and four treadles and just use the two? Given I will be keeping my rhl for “other stuff” I am happy to limit the floor loom in the interest of making it easy for doing rugs while I get to know her.
I think I just read your answer to my concern your interest is not Rigid Heddle Loom,
Hi Peggy! YES!! I want to buy the print edition of Warping Your Loom and Tying on New Warps! I purchased the pdf last year some time and I would love to have the actual book in front of me!
Loraine Wilder 7218 S Solon Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081, lswildercmc@aol.com
Let me know how to purchase, thank you!
Email me at peggy@peggyosterkamp.com for instructions. Glad you want the hard copy!
Peggy
Hi Peggy.
How do I get a copy of Weaving and Drafting Your Own Cloth? What is the cost?
Irene Verbisky
Your can order it on my website. If you already have a pdf, you can get a copy at 15% discount. Email me for information at peggy@peggyosterkamp.com. I have a record of all the pdf orders. The full price is $55 plus $5.25 handling/shipping.
Peggy
Hi Peggy.
I am in Canada. Is the book available in PDF? I don’t know which PDF you are referring to. Are the numbers you quoted in US dollars?
Irene,
I checked back and I see you were asking about “Weaving & Drafting Your Own Cloth”. It is not available as a PDF. However, I have a copy autographed to Renee which was returned and I cannot sell. Would it suit you to pay $25 for the shipping to Canada for the book for free? I hate it that the postage is so high. Camilla Valley Farms sells my books and they are in Canada. Another option. If you want me to send you the book, you need to go through PayPal. Send $25 USD to my email address. Then email me your address. peggy@peggyosterkamp.com
Peggy
My sister and I are beginners, very much beginners. We hope to make this an endeavor of time that we can spend together. Which one of your books do you recommend for learning from scratch? Also, are you on YouTube? If not, maybe you have a good DVD for beginners? Your work is positively amazing!