Classic Loom Potholders, Buy The Loops Or Make Your Own!
A few days ago my twelve year old son was looking for something to do, and to my surprise asked me to take down the potholder loom that he spied on a very high shelf! As it turns out there was already a potholder in progress (the black and white one) on the loom that was made with loops from up-cycled clothing, so I finished that one off, and my son proceeded to make a potholder with the last of the store bought potholder loops that came with the loom. Of course, the store bought loops do result in a dense and crisp pot holder, though I do love the idea of using up-cycled clothing to make loops, and have done it with several items of clothing. And pot holder crafts are really the perfect little craft activity to take with you this summer, as they can be done in the car or at your destination, with no mess and no clean up!
Keep reading to find out which items of clothing I have used to make loops, as well as a link to a fun baby rattle project I made using a loomed potholder!
Okay, are you ready for this? That black and white potholder was made using loops made from tights, yes really! The black tights are mine, and the white tights were my daughters (back when she wore white tights as a younger girl) and the loops are quite simply made by cutting roughly 3/4 to 1" slices from the leg portion of the tights, couldn't be easier! Just stretch the loops so that they curl, and you're all set to go. Yes, it is true the loops from tights can make a thicker less perfect potholder, but the joy of using something up-cycled certainly makes up for that.
I think both versions look great together, and truthfully next time I see some pot holder loops (likely on our yearly summer trip to the USA) I will buy some more, as just because mom love to craft with recycled stuff, doesn't mean the kids will love it too. The most important thing is to have enough basic art supplies on hand to encourage creativity, or at the very least spending time making things!
If it just so happens that someone in the family gets so excited about pot holders that you end up with a ton of them, so why not sew them together to make a placemat, a pillow cover, or even use them as pockets on a wall hanging to store little stuff! Or use them to make a bunch of sweet cat shaped pot holder rattles to give as baby gifts.
And since I have your attention, pot holder loops can also be made from long sleeved t-shirts, so check out my post potholders from recycled t-shirts and have a ball!
And one more important little fact, potholder loops from tights can also be used for finger knitting, so check out my finger knitting with pot holder loops post from a few years back. Admittedly that rope we made has yet to be used, but we'll get to it someday!
Happy crafting!
3 Comments
Maria Bywater
I remember spending the better part of a summer making these as a kid. I wish I had thought of using them as coasters – my Mom and grandmother probably ended up with a lot more potholders than they knew what to do with. Thanks for sharing.
Sara Rivka
You are welcome Maria!
Swings for kids
Beautiful,You selects potholder loom color very nice & Attractive, Thanks For Sharing.