June 23, 2025

Top 5 Mistakes Beginners Make When Weaving (And How to Avoid Them)

Weaving is a rewarding and meditative craft, but like any new skill, it comes with a learning curve. Beginners are often so eager to create their first tapestry or coaster that they overlook foundational techniques, resulting in common mistakes that can compromise their projects. At ChillFuzz, we believe in making DIY weaving as beginner-friendly as possible, and that starts with understanding what not to do.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top 5 weaving mistakes beginners often make, offer actionable DIY weaving help, and show you how our ChillFuzz kits are designed to guide you through these early challenges. Whether you're starting your first wall hanging or a small coaster, these tips will help you build confidence and skill.

Mistake #1: Pulling the Yarn Too Tight

The Problem: Over-tightening the weft (the yarn you weave side to side) causes the edges of your piece to pull inward, creating a warped, hourglass shape. This is one of the most common weaving mistakes for beginners.

Why It Happens:

Nervousness and tension in your hands
Misunderstanding how taut the weft should be
Using slippery yarn or yarn that stretches too much

How to Avoid It:

Gently press the weft into place using a weaving comb or fork, rather than pulling it taut
Use the “smile method” – when you lay your weft across, create a gentle curve like a smile before beating it down
Practice weaving with a cotton yarn that doesn’t stretch, like the one included in our Beginner Coaster Kit

ChillFuzz Tip: All of our DIY weaving kits include easy-to-follow tension instructions and a printed guide to help you avoid this mistake from the very first row.

Mistake #2: Uneven Edges (Selvedges)

The Problem: Wavy, bumpy, or uneven selvedges (the sides of your woven project) can make your finished piece look messy, even if the design is beautiful.

Why It Happens:

Inconsistent tension on each pass
Not placing the weft evenly across the warp
Lack of attention to the edges while weaving

How to Avoid It:

Pause to check that each row reaches the edge of your warp without bunching
Use a tapestry needle to guide the weft precisely along the edge
Consider using a selvedge guide or marking your warp threads with a small dot to keep alignment consistent

ChillFuzz Tip: Our Wall Hanging Kits come with a wooden loom that helps keep your edges straight. Plus, our tutorial videos show how to manage tension and position weft accurately.

Mistake #3: Chaotic Color Planning

The Problem: You start with one idea, then change colors randomly as you go, resulting in a final project that looks disjointed and unfocused.

Why It Happens:

Over-enthusiasm to experiment without a plan
Not thinking about how color sections will transition
Using too many similar tones that visually blend into one another

How to Avoid It:

Choose a limited palette before starting – we suggest no more than 3–5 colors for beginners
Use color theory basics (like contrasting warm vs. cool tones or light vs. dark)
Sketch a basic color map on paper or use a free tool like Coolors to pre-plan your palette

ChillFuzz Tip: All ChillFuzz DIY kits include curated yarn color palettes designed by textile artists. We take the guesswork out of matching yarns so you can focus on learning techniques.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Texture Variation

The Problem: Your finished weaving looks flat and lifeless because all the yarns used are the same weight, fiber, or texture.

Why It Happens:

Not understanding how different yarns behave when woven
Choosing convenience over experimentation

How to Avoid It:

Mix yarn types like cotton, wool blends, and novelty yarns
Incorporate textured yarn like boucle or our signature moss yarn
Add fringe or raised elements like rya knots for dimension

ChillFuzz Tip: Our Moss-Inspired Kits are perfect for beginners who want to explore texture without complexity. Each kit includes at least two yarn textures and a visual tutorial on how to combine them.

Mistake #5: Skipping Finishing Techniques

The Problem: You’re thrilled with your finished weave—until you remove it from the loom and the ends unravel or the piece droops awkwardly.

Why It Happens:

Not tying off ends securely
Not blocking or pressing the finished piece
No clear plan for hanging or displaying

How to Avoid It:

Always finish by knotting the ends (we include a finishing video guide in our kits)
Consider backing your project with felt or stabilizer if it’s too soft
Use a dowel, branch, or frame to hang your piece with structure

ChillFuzz Tip: Each ChillFuzz kit includes finishing instructions and ideas for display. Plus, our blog section includes extra DIY weaving help with display inspiration and troubleshooting tips.

Final Thoughts: Weave With Confidence

Every beginner makes mistakes. What matters most is recognizing them early and knowing how to correct them. Whether it’s tension, edges, color, texture, or finishing, each mistake is a chance to learn and grow as a maker.

That’s why ChillFuzz doesn’t just offer DIY kits—we offer a full support system for new weavers. With curated yarns, clear instructions, and follow-along resources, we’re here to help you avoid these beginner pitfalls and fall in love with fiber art.