This is the second split loom necklace I’ve ever made. From what I can tell, there are two kinds of split loom necklaces. The version I made is purely woven with some fringe added to the end. The second version requires stringing beads onto the warp itself in sections so, for example, between chunks of beaded sections there would be just strung beads. This requires that either one removes those warps while the piece is still on the loom and string up the beads or stringing up the beads on the warp threads while warping the loom.
Again, this weave along will focus on a split loom woven necklace made of only woven beads and some fringe embellishment. In a future weave along we will experiment with stringing beads onto the warp as well. The idea of how to do it is in my head. It requires the use of the no warp ends kit. For now, let’s just play with the fairly simple idea of weaving a split necklace on a Mirrix Loom.
What will you need?
A Mirrix Loom size 8 inch or larger. Shedding device is not required.
Delia beads size 11/0: ten grams of three different colors
Dagger beads.
Setting up your loom:
For basic bead weaving warping instructions, please see this video: warping the Mirrix Loom without the shedding device.
You will need to put 20 warps on your loom. The piece will be 17 inches long. You want to put on thirty inches of warp, leaving about eight inches of waste at the beginning so you have enough warp to string fringe beads.
We’ve discovered a nice little trick recently. It’s always a bit tricky to get that final warp thread tied as tightly as the rest. If you use the smallest size binder clip and clip it over the end thread and the warping bar, the binder clip will keep tension on the thread while you tie it. It took me 19 years to figure this out!
The warping bar is higher than normal because the warp waste will be used to make the fringe.
Let’s Get Weaving!
This piece starts with a spiral. Just follow the pattern below. Cut a length of bead thread about a yard long. Temporarily tie one ned to the side bar of your loom, string up nineteen beads following the pattern below and place them behind and in between the warp threads. Push them to the front of the piece and sew through the tops of the beads.
Sew the end that was tied to the side bar through the first row of beads, tying knots around warp threads to stabilize it. Trim the end. Weave the following 18 rows to complete the spiral.
Once you’ve completed the nineteen rows of the spiral, you will be weaving the two side bands which will be identical. Weave the one on the left with the left over thread.
Start the right side band.
Continue following the pattern below or play with your own shapes.
