What is the best loom for a beginner learning to weave?

The rigid heddle loom (such as the Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or [Ashford SampleIt Loom Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.mielkesfiberarts.com/) ) is widely considered the best overall loom for a beginner because it balances affordability, ease of use, and the ability to weave actual garments, scarves, and home goods.

Top Beginner Loom Types Compared

Why a Rigid Heddle Loom is Ideal

1. The "Heddle" Does the Work: A rigid heddle combines the reed and heddle into one piece, making the warping (threading) process much faster and simpler than a traditional floor or table loom.
2. Room to Grow: You are not limited to small wall hangings. With a 16-inch or 24-inch rigid heddle loom, you can weave continuous lengths of cloth to sew into pillows, runners, or garments.[1][2]
3. Resale Value: Quality brands like Ashford, Schacht, and Kromski hold their value well if you decide to upgrade to a multi-shaft table or floor loom later.

Alternative Starting Points

• If you only want to make wall hangings and fiber art , start with a sturdy wooden frame loom (or even a DIY cardboard loom).
• If you want a low-cost, low-stress introduction to weaving mechanics, a classic Harrisville Friendly Loom Easy Weaver Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a fantastic traditional choice.[1]

If you'd like to narrow it down, let me know:

• What kind of items you want to make (scarves, rugs, wall hangings, etc.)
• Your budget range

I can recommend a specific model and accessory kit to get you started.

For most beginners, the best first loom is a rigid heddle loom. It gives you the basic skills of weaving (warp, weft, tension, beating, and patterning) without the complexity and cost of a floor loom.

My top beginner picks:

My general recommendation

• If you’re unsure whether weaving will become a long-term hobby: get a 15–16 inch rigid heddle loom (Schacht Cricket or Ashford SampleIt).
• If you want to make scarves, towels, shawls, or larger fabric: consider a 24 inch rigid heddle loom.
• If you mainly want wall hangings/tapestry art: a simple frame loom may be enough, and it costs less.

A few things to avoid as a first loom:

• Large floor looms: wonderful tools, but a bigger investment and steeper learning curve.
• Tiny decorative looms: fun for experimenting, but you may outgrow them quickly if you want functional fabric.

If I were choosing a single first loom for a typical adult beginner, I’d pick the Schacht Cricket 15" for simplicity or the Ashford SampleIt 16" for a little more growing room.

If you tell me what you want to weave (scarves, blankets, wall hangings, clothing, rugs) and your budget, I can narrow it down.

The rigid heddle loom is widely considered the best overall loom for a beginner learning to weave because it balances simplicity, affordability, and true cloth-weaving versatility.

Watch this overview on choosing your first weaving loom to see a rigid heddle loom in action:

57s Picking Your First Loom | Rigid Heddle or Floor Loom?1.3K views  · 7 months ago YouTube · Rebecca & Cecilia - Fiber with Friends

Top Beginner Loom Recommendations

Why a Rigid Heddle Loom?

• Real Yardage: Unlike small frame looms meant only for wall hangings, a rigid heddle loom lets you make continuous, functional lengths of cloth for scarves, table runners, and garments.
• Easy Learning Curve: It streamlines the warping (setting up the vertical threads) and shedding process using a specialized slotted-and-holed rigid heddle reed. You can learn the basics and finish a project in a single weekend.
• Grows With You: You can start with basic plain weave and later add a second heddle or pick-up sticks to create advanced patterns.

Alternative Options Based on Goals

• Choose a Frame Loom (e.g., Harrisville Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or generic wooden frames) if: You only want to make artistic wall hangings, decorative tapestries, or want to spend under $60 to see if you even like fiber arts.
• Choose a Table or Floor Loom if: You already know you love weaving and want to dive straight into complex multi-shaft patterns without upgrading later, though these are much more expensive and complex to set up.

If you'd like, let me know:

• What kind of projects you want to make (scarves, rugs, wall hangings?)
• Your general budget

I can help you pick the exact model and size to start with.

If you're learning weaving from scratch, I’d strongly recommend a rigid-heddle loom rather than a floor loom or multi-shaft table loom. It gives you a straightforward way to learn warping, tension, plain weave, and basic pattern techniques without a huge setup.

🥇 My pick: Schacht Cricket 15"

• Schacht Cricket Loom - $261.96 (BLICK Art Materials)

The 15-inch Schacht Cricket is probably the best all-around first loom. It's compact, relatively simple to warp, and large enough for useful projects such as scarves, towels, and table runners. The 15" version is the sweet spot; I'd only choose the 10" if portability or limited space is especially important.

Why I like it for beginners:

• Simple rigid-heddle design
• Small enough to use on a table
• Excellent beginner/tutorial ecosystem
• Comes with an 8-dent reed, shuttles, and basic warping tools
• You can eventually upgrade it with the Cricket Quartet if you want four-shaft weaving.

🥈 Excellent alternative: Ashford SampleIt 16"

• Ashford SampleIt Loom - $235.00 (The Fibre Studio at Yarns to Dye For)

The 16" Ashford SampleIt is arguably an even better choice if you want a little more weaving width for roughly the same money. It's compact, lightweight, beginner-friendly, and capable of scarves, runners, towels, and sampling.

Which one should you buy?

• Schacht Cricket Loom - $261.96 (BLICK Art Materials)
• Ashford SampleIt Loom - $235.00 (The Fibre Studio at Yarns to Dye For)
• Beka 10" Rigid Heddle Loom - $89.99 (Revolution Fibers)
• Ashford 24" Rigid Heddle Loom - $345.00 (Needlepoint Joint)

My personal recommendation: get the Schacht Cricket 15" if you want the safest, easiest first purchase. If you already know you want to make full-size scarves and home textiles, I'd lean toward the Ashford SampleIt 16".

If you tell me your budget (e.g. under $100, $200, $300) and what you'd like to weave (scarves, blankets, wall hangings, etc.), I can narrow it down to one specific loom and the yarn/tools you'll need to start.

For most beginners learning to weave, a rigid heddle loom is widely considered the absolute best starting choice. It strikes the ideal balance: it is affordable, portable, and simple enough to master quickly, yet versatile enough to weave full-sized scarves, runners, and garments without outgrowing it in a few months.[1]

Top loom recommendations for beginners depend on your budget and goals:

Made from durable Silver Beech hardwood, this is a gold standard in the weaving community. It comes as a complete kit (including the reed, shuttles, warping peg, and a great instruction booklet). A 16-inch or 24-inch width is ideal—giving you room to grow into wider pieces like shawls and blankets. You can explore options on specialty sites like The Woolery.[1][2]

If you aren't sure if you'll love weaving and want a low-cost trial, this small maple loom comes pre-assembled with a starter project already on it. It’s fantastic for learning the basic mechanics or making small bands and mini wall hangings, and you can find it via The Woolery.[1]

A classic, sturdy wooden frame loom designed to be completely logical and approachable for zero-experience weavers. It’s great for simple projects like small rugs, placemats, and child-sized scarves. Available through retailers like Blick Art Materials.[1]

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• What is your budget range?
• Do you want to make wearables (scarves, garments) or tapestries / wall hangings?

I can give you a more tailored recommendation and point you to the right size!

If you're learning hand weaving from scratch, I’d recommend a rigid-heddle loom, rather than a traditional multi-shaft floor loom. It’s much simpler to warp and operate, while still letting you make useful things like scarves, towels, runners, and bags.

🥇 Best overall: Schacht Cricket 15"

Schacht Cricket 15-inch Loom

$265.00

The Schacht Cricket 15" is my top recommendation for most beginners. It's compact enough for a table but large enough to make a full-size scarf or towel. The 15" version also gives you considerably more room than the 10" version without becoming cumbersome. Current comparisons consistently put it among the best beginner looms, particularly because of its straightforward setup and extensive learning resources.

Why I like it for a beginner:

• Easy rigid-heddle design
• 15" weaving width—great middle ground
• Comes with an 8-dent reed and basic weaving accessories
• Lots of tutorials and community support
• You can progress from plain weave into pickup-stick patterns
• Later, the Cricket can be expanded with the Cricket Quartet if you want to explore shaft weaving.

🥈 Best value: Ashford SampleIt 16"

Ashford SampleIt 16-inch Loom

$255.00

The Ashford SampleIt 16" is an excellent alternative—and arguably the better choice if you want a little more weaving width for your money. It's compact, beginner-friendly, and has a built-in option for adding a second heddle later.

Which size should you get?

One important distinction: if by "weaving" you mean making wall hangings/tapestries, rather than woven fabric such as scarves and towels, I'd recommend a different kind of loom.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. under $100, $200, $300) and what you'd like to make first, I can narrow it down to the best specific loom and accessories.

If you’re brand-new to weaving, I’d start with a rigid-heddle loom, rather than a floor loom or multi-shaft table loom. It’s relatively simple to warp, teaches the fundamentals, and can make useful projects like scarves, towels, and table runners.

My top pick: Schacht Cricket 15"

• 15" Cricket Weaving Loom by Schacht - $265.00 (Etsy - MielkesFiberArts)

The Schacht Cricket 15" is probably the best all-around first loom. It’s compact but large enough to make a proper scarf, and it comes with an 8-dent reed, shuttles, and basic warping equipment. The 15" width also gives you considerably more room than the 10" version without becoming unwieldy. Current comparisons put it around $250–$265.

Why I like it for a beginner:

• Easy-to-understand rigid-heddle mechanism
• Plenty of beginner tutorials and community support
• 15" is a very useful "sweet spot" for scarves and household textiles
• Small enough to use on a table
• You can eventually add more sophisticated capabilities rather than immediately outgrowing it

Excellent alternative: Ashford SampleIt 16"

• Ashford SampleIt Rigid Heddle Loom - $255.00 (Halcyon Yarn)

The Ashford SampleIt 16" is extremely close to the Cricket and may actually be the better buy if you prefer Ashford's design. It's compact, lightweight, beginner-friendly, and currently around $255.

I'd choose the SampleIt over the Cricket if you want:

• A slightly wider 16" weaving area
• Ashford's ecosystem of accessories
• A lightweight loom that's easy to move around
• Good value for the money

What size should you get?

For most beginners, 15–16 inches is ideal. It lets you make a genuine scarf or table runner while keeping the loom manageable.

I'd skip the 10" models unless portability or very limited space is your priority. They're fun for samples and small projects, but you'll probably wish you had the extra width fairly quickly.

My verdict: 🥇 Schacht Cricket 15" — best overall beginner choice 🥈 Ashford SampleIt 16" — best value/alternative 🥉 Ashford Standard Rigid Heddle 16" — better if you already know you'll weave regularly and want a sturdier loom

If you tell me your budget and what you'd like to weave (scarves, blankets, wall hangings, towels, etc.), I can narrow it down to the exact loom and accessories I'd buy.

A rigid heddle loom is the best overall choice for a beginner learning to weave because it is affordable, easy to set up, and versatile enough to make scarves, towels, and blankets.

A rigid heddle is a single framed tool with slots and holes that holds and separates your warp threads (the lengthwise threads on a loom) so you can weave easily.

Top Beginner Loom Recommendations

Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (~$329–$345 for a 24-inch model)

• Pros: Exceptionally sturdy silver beech hardwood, includes a step-by-step instruction booklet, has a built-in second heddle option for advanced patterns later, and holds resale value exceptionally well.

• Cons: Requires initial assembly and costs a bit more upfront.[1][2]

• Pros: Smaller, lightweight, and less expensive than a full-sized rigid heddle loom. Great for sampling yarns or weaving small scarves and tapestries.

• Cons: 10-inch width limits you to narrow projects.[1]

• Pros: Handcrafted from cherry wood, durable, simple design, and more budget-friendly.

• Cons: Fewer built-in expansion features than Ashford models.[1]

• Pros: Comes fully assembled with a starter project already on the loom. It is ultra-cheap and ideal for testing if you like weaving before investing.

• Cons: Extremely small (4-inch width limit), so you can only make tiny bands or mug rugs.[1]

If you'd like, let me know:

• Your budget
• The types of items you want to make (scarves, rugs, wall hangings)
• How much space you have to store a loom

I can help you pick the exact model and size to start with.

When starting your weaving journey, the "best" loom depends entirely on what you want to make (tapestry art vs. functional cloth like scarves and towels) and how much space and budget you have.

The three best beginner loom types, along with top beginner-friendly models, include:

• Frame Looms (Best for Tapestry & Wall Hangings)
  • Why it’s great: They are flat, highly portable, inexpensive, and require virtually no setup or complex warping. You wrap the warp threads around the frame and start weaving right away. Perfect for freeform, pictorial, or textured wall art.
  • Top picks: Fūnem Studio Weaving Loom Kits Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (come as gorgeous all-in-one starter kits with tools and instructions) or simple wooden kijl/lap frame looms from craft shops. [1][2]
• Rigid Heddle Looms (Best for Functional Cloth: Scarves, Towels, Runners)
  • Why it’s great: This is the sweet spot if you want to weave yardage, wearable clothing, or home goods. A rigid heddle loom bridges the gap between simple frame looms and complex multi-shaft floor looms. They are fast to warp, compact enough to sit on a table or stand, and let you make actual continuous lengths of cloth.
  • Top picks: Schacht Cricket Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (sturdy, portable, and extremely popular for beginners) or Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (comes in various widths like 15" or 24"; a 20"-24" width gives you room to grow into wider projects like baby blankets or shawls).
• Small/Mini Looms (Best for Absolute Low-Risk Experimentation)
  • Why it’s great: If you aren't sure you'll stick with the hobby, a tiny rigid-heddle or pocket frame loom lets you test the waters for under $60 without cluttering your home.
  • Top picks: Beka Beginner's 4" Loom Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (comes pre-warped with a starter project so you can learn the physical hand-movement immediately).[1]

To help narrow down the ideal choice, tell me:

• Do you want to make wall hangings/tapestry or wearables/cloth (like scarves)?
• What is your approximate budget?

If you want to actually learn weaving rather than just make small decorative tapestries, I’d recommend a rigid-heddle loom. It’s relatively simple to warp, teaches the fundamentals, and can grow with you into more advanced weaving.

🥇 Best overall: Ashford SampleIt

• Ashford SampleIt Rigid Heddle Loom - $255.00 (Halcyon Yarn)

The 16-inch Ashford SampleIt is probably my favorite beginner loom because it hits a great balance between simplicity, portability, and long-term usefulness. It has a rigid heddle system, solid construction, and can accommodate a second heddle later for more complex structures. Current listings put the 16" version around $255 before accessories.

Why I'd choose it:

• Easy enough for a first-time weaver
• 16" gives you enough width for scarves, towels, runners, and samples
• Compact enough to store easily
• Much more capable than a basic frame/tapestry loom
• You won't immediately outgrow it

💰 Best budget choice: Beka 10"

• Beka 10" Rigid Heddle Loom - $89.99 (Revolution Fibers)

At around $80–90, the Beka is a very inexpensive way to find out whether you enjoy weaving. It's specifically designed for beginning weavers and can make pieces up to 10" wide and 3 yards long.

The tradeoff is that it's more limited than the Ashford.

🧳 Best small/portable choice: Schacht Cricket

• Schacht Cricket Loom Kit - $199.00 (Lion Brand Yarn)

The 10" Schacht Cricket is another excellent beginner option. It's particularly nice if you want something small that you can easily take to classes or travel with.

One important distinction

If you're primarily interested in tapestry weaving—pictures, wall hangings, chunky art yarns—I'd get a simple frame loom instead. You don't need a rigid-heddle loom for that.

But if your goal is "I want to learn weaving and eventually make scarves, fabric, towels, blankets, etc.", I'd spend the extra money on the 16" Ashford SampleIt.

My ranking for a complete beginner:

1. Ashford SampleIt 16" — best overall
2. Schacht Cricket 10" — best compact option
3. Beka 10" — best inexpensive starter
4. Basic frame loom — best if you're specifically interested in tapestry

If you tell me your budget and what you'd like to make (scarves, wall art, blankets, rugs, etc.), I can narrow it down to the exact loom and accessories I'd buy.

The 10" Schacht Cricket is another excellent beginner option. It's particularly nice if you want something small that you can easily take to classes or travel with.

One important distinction

If you're primarily interested in tapestry weaving—pictures, wall hangings, chunky art yarns—I'd get a simple frame loom instead. You don't need a rigid-heddle loom for that.

But if your goal is "I want to learn weaving and eventually make scarves, fabric, towels, blankets, etc.", I'd spend the extra money on the 16" Ashford SampleIt.

My ranking for a complete beginner:

1. Ashford SampleIt 16" — best overall
2. Schacht Cricket 10" — best compact option
3. Beka 10" — best inexpensive starter
4. Basic frame loom — best if you're specifically interested in tapestry

If you tell me your budget and what you'd like to make (scarves, wall art, blankets, rugs, etc.), I can narrow it down to the exact loom and accessories I'd buy.