Bead Weaving on the Kromski Presto
The Kromski Presto Loom is a dream to weave on. It’s cute and compact, yet with the option of 10″ or 16″ width, it’s large enough for a variety of projects. You can choose between Unfinished or the Color of the Year—Mint, the 2023 color, which I absolutely love!
As I said, you can make a variety of projects on this little loom (have you seen the Weaver’s Choice Heddle?), but I’ve taken the term variety to the next level with this project!
It all started when Kromski posted a video featuring loom woven beaded bracelets using the Presto Loom.
I had been looking at trying some bead weaving myself, so the timing for this was perfect.
I dove right in and made a beaded cat face which I plan to put on the front of a purse one day.
The beads in both projects are 11/0 Delica beads. I used the 12 dent heddle for the cat and it worked fabulously.
The heddle isn’t used in the usual way. It doesn’t rise and lower to open the shed for weaving with this technique. Instead, it serves as a spacer for the warp, and the beads are essentially sewn on. The video mentioned above can explain this better.
I was hooked!
I wanted to make something spectacular and test the Presto’s ability to handle a much larger project.
I settled on replicating a photo of one of my orchids.
There are several free photo-to-cross-stitch converters that could work for this project. Since having the bead count was helpful, I used one from a well-known bead company. I ran into some issues with color accuracy and ease of use, so I won’t name it here.
In the end I had a pattern that suited me.
At first, I tried using the heddle again, but quickly realized that the spacing wasn’t precise enough, which would have caused problems with tension as the pattern grew. The heddle worked well on the smaller project, but with the added width, I found myself pulling the side threads in too much as I added rows.
To solve this, I strung a length of the same-sized beads and taped it to the metal bar of the Presto, both front and back. This allowed me to lay my warp threads between the beads, ensuring perfect spacing. As a bonus, I realized I could now use any size bead I wanted with the same results.
I organized my beads according to the pattern and got to work.
I ended up putting some additional tape on the spacer beads so that they were extra secure.
It worked so well that it was able to travel in my suitcase, along with its older sibling, the Harp Forte, to the Yarn and Bead Fest in Milwaukee.
I’m thrilled with the final result and excited to plan the next one! This one measures 6″ x 9″. With the Kromski Presto I have the option to make it even larger!
For more information about the Presto Loom and all the other fantastic Kromski products, visit www.kromskina.com in North America or www.kromskina.com for Europe.
