Reptile-Inspired Patterns on the Inkle Loom
With Annie MacHale
This program is part of Handwork 2026, presented by Craft in America
Snakes, turtles, and lizards, oh my!
This workshop takes a dive into design principles for Baltic/Speckled pickup using original and playful reptile patterns created by the instructor.
Because this technique lends itself to designs along diagonal lines, students will be led to experiment in creating pictures and patterns with this in mind. The workshop will also include information on how to create band designs using repeating motifs or joining multiple motifs into a cohesive overall design. Come prepared to weave given motifs and design some of your own.
For experienced inkle weavers only. Students must be proficient at warping the inkle loom and be comfortable doing Baltic/Speckled pickup.
The Raktres Pattern Editor will be used to assist with the design work, so bring a laptop or tablet.
Important Note: Instructions for warping will be sent in advance and students will arrive warped and ready to weave.
- Skill level Advanced
- Age appropriate 16+ (minors must have a parent on site)
- Materials $5
- Students should bring A warped Inkle Loom (Instructor will email warping instructions in advance.); Weft yarn; Belt or stick shuttle; Sharp scissors; and Laptop or tablet to use for designing patterns with the Raktres.net website.
Instructor
Annie MacHaleAt the age of seventeen, Annie MacHale first discovered the inkle loom, sparking a lifelong love affair. She built her first loom in 1976 with the help of her dad and a library book. Since then, she’s woven miles of bands, including over 1,200 guitar straps. She loves to play with colors and patterns and the inkle loom provides a very satisfying way to do this.
Annie is known to many through her blog, ASpinnerWeaver.com. The popularity of her patterns shared there led to the 2019 publication of a book, “In Celebration of Plain Weave: Color and Design Inspiration for Inkle Weavers”. This was followed by another book in 2021, “Three-Color Pickup for Inkle Weavers: A Modern Look at an Ancient Baltic-Style Technique,” in which she shares a rare, older Lithuanian technique that has fallen out of use. In her workshops she shares her decades of experience as a weaver working exclusively on inkle looms, her unique insight into working with color, and her discovery of three-color pickup.
