Navajo Rug Weaver

How to Weave a Rug: The Loom

5. The loom is prepared and the vertically-oriented warp (the fine-spun yarn that is the foundation of the textile) is tightly wound.

6. Weaving is done by threading the wefts (less finely spun yarn, usually colored) horizontally over and under the warp yarns.

Using different colored wefts allows the weaver to create various designs and patterns. A long stick called a "batten" is used to hold open the warp temporarily while wefts are put into place. A weaving comb is used to tightly pack the wefts after they have been placed.

This entire process represents many hours, days, and months of work just to create a single rug or blanket, which is one reason why weaving is such an integral aspect of Navajo life.

With the Navajo Rug Weaver software, even though you aren't actually weaving in the traditional Navajo way, you can simulate Navajo rug designs. Keep in mind, however, that copying other people's designs is frowned upon by many Navajo weavers, so once you get the hang of it, we recommend that you create original designs of your own.