The Next Step for Rigid Heddle Weavers Ready to Move Beyond Plain Weave
If you’re comfortable with plain weave on your rigid heddle loom and wondering what comes next - this is it. The pick-up stick sampler kit guides you through 11 different textured and patterned weave structures, one step at a time, producing a finished sampler you can keep as a reference or display as a wall hanging.
 
What Pick-Up Stick Weaving Is
Pick-up stick weaving uses a pointed stick to manually lift selected warp threads before passing the weft through. This creates floats - sections where the weft thread travels over or under multiple warp threads without interlacing - producing raised texture, geometric pattern, and lace-like open structures that are impossible to achieve with a rigid heddle alone.
The technique requires no modification to your loom. The pick-up stick works alongside your existing heddle, giving you a whole new range of creative possibilities without buying additional equipment.
 
What You will Make
The kit guides you through 11 distinct pick-up stick patterns, each introduced progressively in the instruction booklet - starting with simple single floats and building to more complex warp-and-weft combinations. The finished piece is a woven sampler in 4-ply cotton that shows all 11 patterns in sequence.
The sampler can be used as a pattern reference card for future projects, or finished with a dowel rod and hung as a decorative textile wall hanging.
 
What is in the Kit
Pick-up stick - 33.5cm birch wood, pointed for precise thread selection
3 balls of 4-ply cotton yarn in your choice of colour combination —- sufficient to weave the complete sampler
Detailed instruction booklet covering all 11 pick-up stick patterns step by step
The loom and finished sampler shown in the images are not included. This kit is for existing rigid heddle loom owners.
 
Yarn Colour Options
The kit is available in a choice of colour combinations. Select your preferred yarn colours from the dropdown at checkout. The images show the sampler woven in coral, teal and turquoise - one of the available colourways.
 
Heddle Compatibility
To weave the sampler with the included 4-ply cotton yarn, you will need a 10epi heddle fitted to your rigid heddle loom. A 12epi heddle can also be used - the sampler will be slightly smaller and have a little less drape, but the patterns work equally well.
If you need a 10epi heddle, it is available separately in the TabbyandTweed shop.
 
A Gift for Intermediate Weavers
This kit makes a well-considered gift for anyone who owns a rigid heddle loom and is ready to explore more complex pattern weaving. It arrives as a complete, self-contained project - no extra purchases required beyond the heddle if they don’t already have a 10epi.
 
“Purchased for a Christmas present for a friend as I know it will be good quality.” - Elizabeth, verified buyer ★★★★★
 
Where This Fits in Your Weaving Journey
Pick-up stick weaving is the natural next step after mastering plain weave on a rigid heddle loom. Once you’ve completed this sampler and are comfortable with float-based pattern weaving, the next progression is the TabbyandTweed 4-shaft extension kit - which converts your loom to full multi-shaft weaving and opens up twill, Krokbragd, and beyond.
 
 
FAQ's on Pick Up Stick Sampler
What is pick-up stick weaving?
Pick-up stick weaving uses a pointed stick to lift selected warp threads before passing the weft through, creating floats - raised sections where threads travel over or under multiple threads without interlacing. This produces textured, patterned, and lace-like effects that are impossible with a plain rigid heddle alone.
 
Do I need any special equipment beyond this kit?
You need a rigid heddle loom (sold separately) with a 10epi heddle fitted. A 12epi heddle also works and produces a slightly smaller sampler. Everything else - the pick-up stick, yarn and instructions - is included in the kit.
 
Is this kit suitable for beginners?
No. This kit is for weavers who already own a rigid heddle loom and are comfortable with plain weave. If you are new to weaving, the TabbyandTweed rigid heddle loom kit is the recommended starting point.
 
What will the finished sampler look like?
A length of woven 4-ply cotton fabric demonstrating all 11 pick-up stick patterns in sequence. It can be used as a pattern reference, or finished and displayed as a wall hanging.
 
What yarn colours are available?
The kit is available in a choice of colour combinations. Select your preferred colours from the dropdown at checkout. The images show coral, teal and turquoise as one available option.
 
Is the 10epi heddle included?
No. The kit includes the pick-up stick, yarn and instructions. The 10epi heddle needed to weave the sampler is sold separately in the TabbyandTweed shop.