Handspun Cotton Backstrap Loom Kit / Natural White and Ixcaco

Very special looms made with local organic cotton fibers handspun by master spinner Doña Marta. Choose from the longer staple white variety and the short staple heirloom brown ixcaco variety.

The yarns have been starched to provide more strength for weaving. The kit includes everything you need to weave in plain weave. The weft is naturally-dyed in indigo, as weavers tend to prefer a darker weft. The rope to attach the loom is made of plastic, and the backstrap belt material varies between repurposed fabric and a locally-sourced plastic "pita" material, commonly used in highland communities all over Guatemala.

Learn how to weave on a traditional backstrap loom from the comfort of your home, or anywhere you'd like. Find instructions with pictures and videos on our blog, as well as tutorials on how to open and set up your loom. Or join us for an online beginner class with Doña Lidia. Check for the current schedule in our Experiences section. 

Traditionally, the top end of the backstrap loom is attached to a tree to ground the weaver and connect with the earth. In practical terms, however, this is a small and portable loom system - you can take it with you and start weaving wherever you'd like. 

Measurements for loom (the wooden parts are a bit wider):

Width: 8 inches

Length:  26 inches