Waffle-weaving (warning - lots of pictures!)

A commenter asked how I learned to use a waffle-weave loom - the rug tying frame. I went to eBay and bought a small waffle-weave frame that had instructions with it since I couldn't find any info on the 'net. I believe these frames are the basis for the plastic Love & Money looms that you can (usually) buy at WalMart and such places; I used to have a set of hexagonal L&M looms, and if I remember correctly, they used the same tying procedure.

I promised to write up some instructions, so here goes. Keep in mind this is my first project. :-)

First, you need a frame. I have a Sears "Hearthside Adjustable Rug Frame", that uses a shuttle (which of course was missing from mine; I'm using an upholstery needle):

and the eBay purchase - a Bucilla "Adjustable Waffle-Weave Frame" that uses a needle. The Bucilla is about placemat size - most of the patterns in the booklet are for placemats.

Both are adjustable - you can see the short pegged bar on the rug frame, and there are two different spots you can attach that for smaller rugs; and the Bucilla has extra holes in each bar for changing the size, like so:

You need thread or yarn, depending on the size of your frame. The Bucilla booklet calls for crochet cotton (by article numbers, so I don't know for sure what size); I'm using a bulky cotton on the Hearthside. For clarity's sake, I'm using a piece of worsted weight yarn on the Hearthside.
Now you need to wind your thread/yarn onto the frame. Tie a single thread in a corner notch (or on a corner peg), and wind up-and-down. Then wind side-to-side, so you have a cross-hatch. One layer (or ply, as Bucilla calls it) is done. Repeat this for however thick you want your item, then tie off the thread.
Now cut a piece of thread twice the length of what you want. You're going to double this yarn, with the cut ends going through the eye of your needle or being wound first on your shuttle.

I work right to left and top to bottom, so go to the upper right-most crossing of your winding. Insert your needle in the lower-left space, and bring it to the front in the upper-right space, catching the loop and pulling it snug.
Then, put the needle through the upper-left hole, then to the front in the lower right, catching the loop on the way back out, pulling it snug again.

Your first tie!

Go to the next intersection to the left, and repeat the process - in at the lower-left...

out at the upper right picking up the loop.


In at the upper-left, and out at the lower right catching the loop:


Two ties!


Continue across. If you're using a small frame, when you get to the corner you can just turn the frame and keep tying (not an option on the Hearthside). You can probably use one length of thread for the entire project on the small frame. On the rug frame, however, I cut lengths to do one row at a time (it is 4 FEET wide!).

After you've finished tying all the intersections, you can cut the threads that are wound around the teeth to get the project off the frame; or you should be able to just pop it off the frame if you want to leave loops instead of cut fringe.

In the Bucilla booklet, there are instructions for "Diagonal Weaving". This is done on a already-tied project, and involves going from knot to knot diagonally, catching the thread in the knots as you go. It looks like it is more decorative than anything else.

If you don't understand something, just ask!