Bead loom basics: how to weave warp threads

Weaving warp threads is time-consuming, and it’s a beader’s pet peeve, but it’s the best finishing technique for earrings made on a bead loom.

The diagrams below are color-coded and based on the lucky hat pattern. The weaving route differs since the earrings aren’t square-shaped and involve decreased rows. If you want to see how I weave a basic square-shaped earring, let me know in the comments below.

Thread the top warp thread into the working needle, then insert the needle into the first row and second row of beads. Cut the thread at the seventh bead. The thread will bend forward, but that’s fine.

Thread the bottom warp thread into the working needle, then slide the needle through the first and second rows. Cut the thread at the thirteenth bead.

Bring the top warp thread down into the first row, then loop it through the second row. Cut the thread at the eighth bead.

Weave the bottom warp thread into the first row and second row. Cut the thread at the twelfth bead.

The top warp thread will go through four beads in the second row, then use the working needle to pick up three threads in the middle section of the earring.

Check the reference photo again to see the horizontal middle threads.

Loop the needle through two beads in the fifth row, then cut.

Thread the bottom warp thread with the needle, then weave the needle through nine beads on the first row. Go between three middle warp threads and over two beads, then cut.

Weave the top warp thread down into row ten and ninth, then cut.

The bottom warp thread will weave through seven beads on the first row, go up four middle threads, and over six beads. Cut.

Weave the top warp thread down into row ten , back up into row eleven, then cut the thread at six beads.

The bottom warp thread will weave through six beads on the first row, go up three middle threads, and over four beads. Cut.

For the last interior warp threads, you can decide your weaving direction.

Remember to skip the first row and enter where you see the dot on the diagram.

Skipping the first row will help you make what I call a “security loop”.

It keeps you from having the loops on the edge of your work. Pull through tight before the next step.

Pick up three middle threads, then weave through nine beads and cut.

For the bottom warp thread, I weaved through four middle threads and six beads on row fifth row.

Continue the interior warp threads by picking up middle threads, weaving through beads and cutting the excess threads.

👋🏾 Did the warp thread diagrams help you?

Drop a comment in the reply section below. If you didn’t find it helpful and prefer the written text, let me know that as well. My goal is to help you, not confuse you.