Park Royal Loom
Weaving Kit

Raisa Kabir

Park Royal is a centre of manufacturing, industry and distribution in London. It is also a site of Middle Eastern carpet weaving, textile restoration and histories of making.

I created the Park Royal Loom, a small portable loom, as a way of distributing mobile sites of making to differing communities, to provide access to craft and to integrate the histories of industry with the slower pace of craft. The looms are rigid heddle back strap looms, which are made of birch plywood and laser cut by local business Dot Laser. They use low tech weaving technology, where the weaving looms can be rolled up and carried anywhere — weaving not tied to any one place. This type of ancient weaving technology is present in many cultures across the world (South America and South/ South East Asia, and Northern Scandinavian Sami cultures and Eastern Europe) and the rigid heddle adjustment means weaving is simple and easy to follow with minimal instruction, for all ages to get involved. The materials are sustainable, and the kits include just enough yarn to create the warp threads. Some kits will have recycled yarn created from material waste from Park Royal businesses, for the weft. Distributing and crafting with sites of industry and re-making with recycled yarn, we can activate the narratives of place and belonging and the history and continued relevance of Park Royal. The loom will also be used in community textile and collective projects across the UK.

Perhaps you could create your own weft yarn out of clothes or plastic bags?