I have been intrigued by this place every time I come to New York City. We pass it on the way to the subway from my daughter’s apartment. But I have never stopped in.I could see weaving looms through the window.

This week I finally got to descend the stairs and take an all day lesson in weaving, thanks to my daughter and son-in-law!

The Loop of the Loom is the only hand weaving studio in the city. In their classes for children and adults they teach the SAORI method of weaving. According to their website,

SAORI is a ZEN art of weaving from Japan that is dedicated to free expression and self-development. Loop of the Loom has the pleasure of introducing this easy-to-learn form of, what we like to call, “happy weaving” and unique craft classes using fibers from mother nature.

So I had a day of “happy weaving” in Loop of the Loom’s bright cheerful studio. One wall is covered with a rainbow of yarns of all kinds to use. There is also a bucket full of scraps of ribbons, yarn, threads, wool roving, and more to use in your weaving creations. When the day came to an end, my weaving was removed from the loom and hung on the wall for picture taking. I learned much and would love the opportunity to weave again. 

Yukako Satone, the owner of Loop of the Loom studio ties off the warp threads on my weaving after it was removed from the loom.What is the difference between traditional weaving and the SAORI method of weaving, you ask? I’ve not done traditional weaving so I will again quote from Loop of the Loom’s website.

Hand weaving is one of the most popular hand crafts you can find almost anywhere in the world. However, SAORI is unique and totally different from other traditional styles of hand weaving.  In traditional hand weaving, weavers highly value the regularity and cleanness of the woven cloth: if there is an irregular pattern or thread, it is considered as a “mistake” or “flaw”.  In SAORI, on the other hand, we put more importance on free expression, because hand weaving is different from machine weaving.

The SAORI method is free from the traditional rules of weaving and therefore easier for children, adults, and those with disabilities to learn to do. You can read more about the history of the SAROI method here.

If you live in New York City or plan to visit soon, take time for expanding your creative learning by taking a class at Loop of the Loom.