Weaving in Beauty

Explore the beauty and harmony of Navajo weaving

Build a Navajo Style Loom


Students using small workshop looms by Henry Lee Dedman

Students using small workshop looms by Henry Lee Dedman


One of the first steps in learning to weave with Navajo techniques is to acquire an appropriate loom.  If you already have a tapestry loom, it can probably be adapted to Navajo style weaving.  You can also make a small Navajo loom from a picture frame or canvas stretcher bars.   The PDF file link on this page will give the plans for a small workshop sized traditional Navajo loom.

Navajo style loom plans (PDF File, opens in new window)

Weaving in Beauty LLC
1868 E. LaDonna Dr. Tempe, AZ, 85283 USA 
 • 602-370-2875

There are currently 8 responses to “Build a Navajo Style Loom”

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  1. 1 On July 16th, 2009, barney rieff said:

    If you don’t mind, I have some questions on when and where you have classes using the small loom you show in the directions. I also have alpaca and llama yarn from my ranch, could this be used in weaving on the loom? Thank you

    posted on July 16th, 2009 at 9:45 am

  2. 2 On July 16th, 2009, Mary Walker said:

    Thank you for contacting me! I guess this means that I should put a link to our classes on those plans! If you follow the Learn to Weave tab on the web site, you’ll see the Weaving in Beauty classes that Jennie Slick and I do in Window Rock, Arizona and Garden City, Utah. Next year, we’ll also be teaching at Convergence 2010 in Albuquerque. The loom itself could be used in any Navajo weaving workshop class, so you may also want to look at the Where to Learn Indigenous Weaving Techniques too.

    The link for our classes is http://174.121.153.8/~atlohi1/find-a-weaving-class/weaving-in-beauty-classes.

    The link to see every Navajo Weaving class that I know about is

    http://174.121.153.8/~atlohi1/find-a-weaving-class/where-to-learn-indigenous-weaving-techniques.

    You can certainly use your llama and alpaca yarns. I have seen one beautiful Two Grey Hills style rug done with llama. I haven’t used them myself, but there’s no reason that they can’t be used. The llama rug that I saw had a little difference in the hand and drape of the fabric, but you’d expect that because of the difference in elasticity of the fiber. The Navajos call the llama tl’izi bida’a, which means “the goat’s uncle” and quite a few people use llamas as guard animals for their sheep.

    Thanks for your interest in Navajo weaving techniques!

    posted on July 16th, 2009 at 10:15 am

  3. 3 On June 28th, 2010, Nan Newberry said:

    What type of yarn do you suggest for the warp ? Are there directions for this in your building a loom ? Thank you , Nan

    posted on June 28th, 2010 at 9:52 am

  4. 4 On June 29th, 2010, Mary Walker said:

    The directions are only for building the loom and do not address weaving techniques. Our weaving techniques book, sold in the Weaving in Beauty Mercantile covers the knowledge needed to get started weaving the Navajo way.

    posted on June 29th, 2010 at 12:36 pm

  5. 5 On April 17th, 2012, Teshna said:

    What are the twelve nails for? My husband wouldn’t put the metal pipe on it. He kept it all nature….thanks for the plans. Now I am almost ready to begin an adventure.

    posted on April 17th, 2012 at 7:31 am

  6. 6 On April 25th, 2012, Mary Walker said:

    The nails are part of what you need for the warping process. They aren’t needed to build the loom.

    posted on April 25th, 2012 at 1:28 pm

  7. 7 On May 6th, 2012, connie price said:

    i am interested in learning to weave and I cant download the directions to the small workshop loom(Iam new to computor),so I was wondering if you could print it out for me.I would send a stamped envelope and cash to cover expences. Thank you

    posted on May 6th, 2012 at 6:35 pm

  8. 8 On May 9th, 2012, connie price said:

    I recently asked for printed instructions to the small workshop loom-my son downloaded them for me. I am so excited to get started. thank you for having them on this site. Connie

    posted on May 9th, 2012 at 11:26 am

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    Latest on Mon, 04:10 pm

    Raymon: I have a blanket simialr to the pink blanket. My dad's family had sheep. Every year they would gather the wool and take it to Utah Woolen mills and make beautiful wool blankets. Similar to Pendleton blankets, in many different colors. Love the turquoise jewlrey. My mom has a big beaded bag of it that I hope I get a few peices of (she's half Native American) She finds it kind of amusing that Native American prints etc. are "in" right now.

    Remigio: Way to go, Navajo Nation! Either cease-and-desist, or collect roiaetyls for the use of your name (only on quality products of which you approve, of course). Same with sports teams that use Native names as mascots. Until recently, the University of North Dakota was paying the Standing Rock Sioux annual roiaetyls to use the name Fighting Sioux , which was a win-win and a source of pride for both parties. Unfortunately for both the Tribe and the university, political correctness put an end to that.

    Ann Puzio: Hi Mary, Need to change to the waiting list for 9/13-20th. I hope this is possible.Also, going to see if I can sign up for the online class, need to check my computer. Thanks ann

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