The Top 5 Weaving Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Weaving is one of the oldest and most meditative fibre arts. It's rhythmic, grounding and endlessly creative. But just like knitting and crochet, weaving comes with its own set of common mistakes… and yes, even seasoned weavers make them!

The good news? Most weaving issues are easy to fix once you know why they happen. Here are the top five weaving mistakes we see all the time and exactly how to fix them so you can weave with confidence and joy.

1. Draw-In: When Your Edges Pull Too Tight

You start with a nice wide warp, and by halfway through the project, it’s narrowed by centimetres.

Why It Happens

• Pulling the weft too tightly at the selvedges

• Not allowing enough “slack” for the yarn to bend over the warp

• Using a slippery yarn without adjusting technique

How to Fix It

• Create a gentle arc with your weft before beating. This gives the yarn room to settle.

• Try the bubble method: add one or two small bumps of slack along the weft as you place it.

• Use a weft yarn with a bit more grip, especially if you’re new to weaving.

Pro Tip

Place a guide thread (a temporary scrap yarn) along the selvedges to help you maintain consistent width as you weave.

2. Uneven Selvedges

Wobbly edges, loops sticking out or edges that look inconsistent from one side to the other.

Why It Happens

• Inconsistent tension at the edges

• Pulling one side more than the other

• Changing beat strength throughout the project

How to Fix It

• Slow down slightly at each selvedge. These two stitches determine the look of your entire piece.

• After placing your weft, give a gentle tug. Not too tight, not too loose.

• Beat consistently: same angle, same pressure, same rhythm.

Pro Tip

Selvedge weight clips can help stabilise edges while you build muscle memory.

3. Warp Tension Problems

Your warp is sagging in the middle, too tight on one side or inconsistent across the loom.

Why It Happens

• Uneven winding onto the loom

• Skipped tension adjustments during warping

• Yarn stretchiness or fibre type causing variation

How to Fix It

• Take your time during warping. Even tension at the start prevents 90% of weaving headaches.

• Tighten or loosen warp threads as you go. Most looms allow micro-adjustments.

• Choose warp yarns with strength and stability, especially for your first projects.

Pro Tip

If only a few warp threads are loose, add paper shims or small sticks under those threads to even out tension without rewarping the entire loom.

4. Beating Too Hard (or Too Soft)

Your fabric is either too dense and stiff… or too loose and uneven.

Why It Happens

• Using the same technique for all yarns

• Not matching beat strength to fibre type

• Rushing the process

How to Fix It

• Remember: weaving is rhythm, not force.

• Beat lightly for drapey scarves and shawls.

• Beat firmly for rugs, table runners and sturdy fabrics.

• Test your beat on a small header row before starting the main piece.

Pro Tip

Beat once to place the weft and a second gentle tap only if needed. More than that can distort your fabric.

5. Gaps, Floats or Missed Warp Threads

That moment you realise you’ve been weaving over the wrong thread for several centimetres… oops.

Why It Happens

• Losing track of the over/under sequence

• Accidentally skipping heddles or shedding incorrectly

• Working too quickly

How to Fix It

• Pause every few rows and inspect your fabric. Small mistakes are easier to repair.

• If you catch it early, work backwards for just a few rows.

  
  

Pro Tip

A contrasting header row at the start of your weaving makes it easier to see your structure clearly from the beginning.

We're Not Meant to Be Perfect!

Some Weaving Mistakes Don’t Need Fixing

Unless you’re weaving for a competition or a technical assessment, chasing perfection can make weaving more stressful than soothing. Small quirks and inconsistencies? They’re part of the charm.

Some “mistakes” can become:

• a textured design feature

• a playful visual detail

• a place to add embroidery or embellishment

• a reminder of your creative journey

Many weaving traditions around the world celebrate imperfections. They show the maker’s hand, the rhythm of the loom and the story woven into the cloth.

Letting go of perfection can be one of the most powerful skills in your weaving toolkit. Focus on the process, not just the outcome.

Remember: Mistakes Are Part of the Magic

Every weaver, from absolute beginners to those who have spent decades at the loom, makes mistakes. They’re not failures. They’re invitations.

Every uneven selvedge teaches your hands something new. Every tension problem builds intuition. Every fix strengthens your weaving confidence.

Next time a mistake appears, breathe. Look at your warp. Look at your weft. Then decide if this is a moment to fix or a moment to embrace?

Your loom will wait for you. Your yarn will wait for you. And your finished piece will carry the story of your learning, your patience and your creativity.