Billy Bison Pin Loom Plushie

My love of bison (and an incident at Yellowstone) inspired me to create a pin loom bison stuffed animal. These impressively powerful mammals possess a quiet strength as they feed across the prairie. They are social creatures that seem unbothered by all the things around them.

For others in my family, the bison makes them recall their time at the University of Colorado. I imagine a blue bison could rile up a Buffalo’s fan or two!

I didn’t have any dark brown fur, so I decided to make the front of the bison with a textured stitch. The smocking stitch became especially prominent by warping the pin looms in a single strand of yarn, and weaving it double stranded. These two brown colors of Caron Simply Soft yarn really contrast nicely.

For me, determining the size of the head kind of dictates the size of the rest of the body. First, I imagined the different parts of the body in shapes, squares, rectangles, triangles, and cylinders. Then I determined the size of looms that would accomplish those the best.

I ended up using 6 different pin looms: 1″ and 2″ right triangle looms, 2″ and 4″ square looms, and 1″ x 4″ and 2″ x 4″ rectangle looms.

With a little folding, rolling, and tucking, this little bison quickly took shape. His finished size is 11″ long x 4″ wide x 7″ tall. For complete instructions, you can find the pattern in our Etsy shop. It includes step-by-step written instructions, charts, and photos.

Unlike those found in the wild, this one likes to cuddle!

Happy Weaving,

Deborah

Share the Love

Love pin loom weaving or Bison? Share one of our photos on social media.

Want to make one? The bison – American buffalo pin loom weaving pattern is available now in our Etsy shop.

Buy the pattern on etsy

Raven Pin Loom Weave Along

Love to pin loom weave? Love to see how other people have woven the same pattern? Join us for a pin loom weave along February 16 – March 8, 2026 as we make The Raven. It’s completely free. Here’s how to participate in The Raven weave along:

  • Download The Raven pin loom pattern here or from the Facebook Group: Pin Loom Weaving Support Group files.
  • Weave your raven (or other bird from The Pin Loom Flock).
  • Watch video snippet on The Pin Loom Raven Assembly below or on YouTube.
  • Post pictures on social media with hashtag #PinLoomBird.
  • Email a photo of your bird to us (see pattern for instructions) between February 16 – March 8, 2026.
  • Look for compilation photo of other birds in the Facebook group: Pin Loom Weaving Support Group.

The Raven Assembly Video

The Raven pin loom bird is surprisingly simple to make. Even so, we decided an assembly video would make it even easier to visualize the process. View the Pin Loom Raven Assembly on YouTube or below:

The Raven Supplies

The Raven requires very few supplies. You’ll need a few looms, some yarn, stuffing and safety eyes. The weaving pattern includes this list…but if you want to see if you have them off hand, here’s what you’ll need to make your own raven:

  • Pin Looms Squares: 2” and 6”
  • Pin Loom Rectangle: 2” x 6”
  • Needle: 6” needle for weaving and yarn needle for sewing
  • Stuffing
  • Safety Eyes: 14mm – (2) per bird

The Pin Loom Flock is Part of the Weave Along

The Raven pin loom weave along is open for all the birds in our pin loom collection. We have an ebook with 9 adorable birds called The Pin Loom Flock on Etsy. Learn more about that in our Etsy shop: YarnovationsShop.

Weave the raven or bird of your choice, post it online with hashtag #PinLoomBird, and email us a photo per instructions in the pattern to be included in the compilation photo in the Facebook group.

eBook "The Pin Loom Flock: 9 Adorable Birds to Weave with Squares and Rectangles". Woven birds shown include cardinal, robin, bald eagle, turkey, seagull, chicken, red-winged black bird, western tanager, european robin.

We look forward to seeing everyone’s pin loom birds!

Heartfelt Pillow Crochet Pattern

Vibrant, colorful, and floral, this crochet pillow is lovely not only around Valentine’s Day, but all year long. The rainbow of colors make it a great addition for spring and fall decorating…and summer, too! And placing the flowers in a heart shape captures how we all feel about them…we love them.

This Floral Heart Pillow Crochet Pattern includes lots of helpful photos to make everything you see. The pattern includes:

  • 8 Colorful Flower Patterns – each with Step-by-Step Photos
  • 1 Green Leaf Pattern – with Step-by-Step Photos
  • 1 Shell Stitch Throw Pillow
  • 1 Tassel Instructions

Make the pillow exactly as we did, or mix things up a bit. You can create pillow with a wreath by placing the flowers in a ring. Or, make the flowers individually, glue them to a chop stick and make floral picks. Make the pillow without the flowers for a nice textured accent pillow. Make the flowers for wedding bouquets or home coming corsages. Make flower accent pins, headbands, barrettes and more.

What will you make with your crochet flowers and pillow?

Heartfelt Floral Pillow Crochet Pattern on Etsy

The Heartfelt Floral Pillow Crochet Pattern is now available in our Etsy Shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy

Crochet Shell Stitch Dishcloth Plus Table Runner Pattern

The crochet shell stitch kicks off our journey to crochet a dishcloth each month using a different crochet stitch. This set, named January Snow, includes a lacy dishcloth and gorgeous table runner both using the crochet shell stitch. We especially love how the shell stitch pop next to solid sections of double crochet on the table runner. And this stitch creates a nice frilly edging, as well.

This crochet shell stitch creates a dishcloth that is simple, elegant and lacy. This open work design is very drapey and flexible. It’s especially well suited for washing cups and glasses and strong enough to handle pots and pans, too.

About the January Snow Crochet Dishcloth Pattern

We’ve rated this pattern easy. It’s very approachable for those who know how to single crochet and double crochet. It’s worked primarily in rows with edging worked in the round.

Dishcloth: 10 ¼” x 10 ¼”; Table Runner: 33 ½” x 11 ½”

Materials used in this crochet dishcloth and table runner include:

  • Yarn: FibraNatura distributed by Universal Yarn: Good Earth ‐ Medium (4)
    color: CRYSTAL ‐ 3 skeins (1 for dishcloth, 2 for table runner)
  • Hook: F/5/3.75mm
  • Needle: Yarn Needle for sewing

Dishcloth+ Series

This shell stitch dishcloth is the 1st in our Dishcloth + series. We’ve consolidated them into a single ebook called Dishcloth+ ebook: 12 Dishcloths & 12 Accessories Crochet Pattern PDF which is available in our Etsy shop: YarnovationsShop.

You’ll learn lots of fun crochet stitches including:

  • V Stitch
  • Berry Stitch
  • Corner to Corner C2C
  • Moss Stitch or Woven Stitch
  • Fantail Stitch
  • Bobble Stitch
  • Fan Stitch
  • Star Stitch
  • Basketweave Stitch
  • Bead Stitch
  • Pentagon Pattern
  • Crochet Cable

It’s full of fun and practical items for the kitchen and home including:

  • Placemat
  • Hot pad
  • Plant Hanger
  • Table Runner
  • Cup Cozies for mug with handle, tapered glass, mason jar
  • Casserole Cover with zipper
  • Tea Towel
  • Tea Towel Dress Topper
  • Apron
  • Market Bag
  • Bread Bowl Liner

Dishcloth+ on Etsy

January Snow and entire Dishcloth+ ebook are available now in our Etsy shop: YarnovationsShop.

If you love making dishcloths, we also have a pattern pack of 7 dishcloths made with the single crochet stitch!

Learn more about each dishcloth pattern set in Etsy shop.

Available now:

Make a Pin Loom – Pattern

Pin loom weaving is fun…and even more so if you have looms of various shapes and sizes! There are several small and independent companies that manufacture pin looms. We highly recommend them. However, it can be hard to find pin looms in stores (other than weaving friendly yarn shops).

In order to get all the pin loom shapes you might need, you can make your own! This pattern includes pin loom templates for squares, rectangles and triangles measuring 1” up to 6”. Not only can you build your own, we show you how to build them with common household items.

You can make a pin loom from items such as cardboard and straight pins. Those work ok for really small looms like the 1″ square and if used lightly. If you weave regularly or like the larger shapes, we recommend that you build a loom from wood like MDF or plywood and brad nails, all found at your local hardware store.

Build a Pin Loom Step-by-Step

The pattern for Making Your Own Pin Loom is awesome! It answers lots of questions you may have and offers step-by-step information for building a pin loom start to finish:

  • Step-by-Step Written Instructions
  • Tons of Photos
  • VIDEO link to Build a Loom from Cardboard or Foam
  • VIDEO link to Build a Loom from Wood
  • VIDEO link to Weaving a Square (or Rectangle)
  • VIDEO link to Weaving a Triangle
  • Links to Where to Buy Ready Made Pin Looms
  • Templates for Squares: 1″, 2″, 4″, 6″
  • Templates for Rectangles: 1″x2″, 1″x3″, 1″x4″, 1″x6″
  • Templates for Rectangles: 2″x4″, 2″x6″
  • Templates for Triangles: 2″, 4″, 6″
  • Materials List for Building Looms on Cardboard, Foam or Wood

Make a Pin Loom Pattern on Etsy

Buy the pattern with templates to Make Your Own Pin Looms in our Etsy shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy

Pin Loom Weaving Patterns

Pin looms are great for weaving up little fabric shapes. These shapes can be sewn together to create countless woven projects from coasters to blankets, to stuffed animals and decorations. You can make a ton of adorable projects with a simple square…but the possibilities are limitless with additional pin loom shapes like rectangles and triangles.

Visit our Etsy shop for lots of fun and exciting pin loom patterns to weave!

Pin Loom Flock Pattern

Introducing…The Pin Loom Flock: 9 Adorable Birds to Weave with Squares and Rectangles. Inspired by the Birds of a Feather crochet pattern, we’re excited to bring our most popular birds to the pin loom community.

9 Gorgeous Birds included in the pin loom pattern:

  • Bald Eagle
  • Cardinal
  • Chicken
  • European Robin
  • Red-Winged Blackbird
  • Robin (and a mini Robin)
  • Seagull
  • Turkey
  • Western Tanager

Shhh…I have a secret for you. All these birds can be made from 2 pin looms (the Robin can be made from 1!). We used 3 to 5 different looms to make each bird so there would be less tails to weave in, but you can make them with a 2″ square and 1″x4″ rectangle (with folding of the rectangle in some cases).

Pin looms we used to make all the birds include:

  • Squares: 1″, 2″, 4″, 6″
  • Rectangles: 1″x2″, 1″x4″, 2″x4″, 2″x6″

The Pin Loom Flock on Etsy

The pin loom pattern to make the Pin Loom Flock is available now on Etsy.

Available now on Etsy.

More about The Pin Loom Flock Pattern

The Pin Loom Flock is a beginner friendly pattern. Every square and rectangle will be woven in plain weave and joined with a simple overcast or your favorite join method. The birds measure: 5.5” length x 6.5” width x 4.5” height. The Chicken measures 7.75” x 5.75” x 6” because it has a couple rounds of single crochet (it is the only bird with crochet).

The pattern includes written instructions as well as helpful photos for rolling and folding shapes to make feet, beaks, wattles, snoods and combs. There are helpful charts to show yarn and loom sizes used to make each bird.

Materials needed are minimal and include:

  • Yarn: Size 4 medium worsted weight
    (Pattern used: Lion Brand Heartland and Basic Stitch, acrylic)
  • Pin Looms (see list above)
  • Weaving Needle (6″) and Yarn Needle
  • Stuffing
  • Safety Eyes: 14 mm – 2 each bird (chicken 18 mm)
  • Crochet Hook (chicken only): G/4.0mm

Birds for the Holidays and Special Occasions

The birds are fun to make for bird lovers, but they are also fun for several holidays and other special occasions.

  • Christmas Bird: Cardinal
  • Thanksgiving Bird: Turkey
  • Halloween Bird: Blackbird (made in solid black as a Crow/Raven)
  • Wedding Bird: Make the Robin in white as a Dove.
  • Sports Teams: Cardinals, Eagles, Falcons, Ravens

Make one of these birds as a Thinking of You gift and add a little encouragement note:

  • “Fly high, little bird!”
  • “Trust your wings.”
  • “Sing your song.”

These little birds are fun sitting on a shelf or at your desk.

Get your copy of The Pin Loom Flock in our Etsy shop now.

Evergreens, Crochet World Winter 2025

Evergreens often remind me of winter and Christmas time. Why is that? They are green all year long! These darling crocheted evergreen trees are easy to make and can be enjoyed all year. I often put them out at Christmas, and put them away well into the new year. Now you can crochet your own evergreens as well!

Available on newsstands now, Crochet World magazine’s Winter 2025 is full of fun winter and Christmas-time projects perfect for wearing, decorating and gifting. We have another adorable pattern in the issue…Evergreen Trees! We show the trees in two different crochet stitch patterns and the instructions walk you step by step how to assemble them.

Each tree is crocheted with Omega Otono worsted weight yarn. They are crocheted with simple stitches and have simple construction making these fun and easy for beginner crocheters.

Just for added fun, I, Deborah, decided to create the little wooden reindeer as well! I saw a video of someone making one on a band saw, and cut one out myself using a scroll saw. I don’t do a lot of woodworking, but I was pleased with the result. It’s a cute little addition to my winter scene. Here’s the video of the reindeer using the band saw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W335wRyLLiY&t=61s

Check out Crochet World Winter 2025 for the trees and 28 other fun and festive patterns to crochet.

Caterpillar Pencil Case Pin Loom Pattern

Munch, munch…this caterpillar is hungry for pencils, pens and crochet hooks.

It’s easy to pin loom weave your own caterpillar pencil case following this step-by-step tutorial with photos. You need only 2 looms for the woven caterpillar: 2″x4″ rectangle and 4″ square. If you have a 1″ square pin loom, you can add a zipper pull and finger grips on each end of the zipper.

The Caterpillar Pencil Case Pin Loom Pattern includes:

  • Caterpillar
  • Step-by-Step Written Instructions
  • 10+ color photos and charts
  • 7 pages

What you’ll need to make your own caterpillar pencil case:

  • Pin Loom Square: 4” (and 1″ optional)
  • Pin Loom Rectangle: 2”x4”
  • Yarn: Medium Worsted Weight (4)
  • Fabric for Lining: 1 sq. foot
  • Zipper: 8”
  • Felt: remnants for facial features
  • Needle: 6” weaving needle, tapestry needle, sewing needle
  • Thread: to match zipper
  • Washable Marker
  • Fabric Glue
  • Straight Pins

This actias luna caterpillar was originally designed for Little Looms magazine. We have the rights back and it’s now available for purchase on Etsy.

Available now on Etsy: Caterpillar Pencil Case Pin Loom Pattern

Share the Love, Share on Social Media

Pin looming is a small yet vibrant community of weavers. Share this fun project on pinterest, instagram or wherever you browse for pin loom patterns.

Thank you.

Pencil cases are great for more than just back to school. It can be used to hold crochet hooks, sewing notions and even as a small make-up kit. Though not required, we strongly recommend that you line the panel case with fabric. It’s all too easy to snag or poke a hole in the woven shapes. You’ll be much happier with it lined with fabric (a thin cotton works great).

Pick up your copy on Etsy: Caterpillar Pencil Case Pin Loom Pattern.

Bones the fish Pin Loom Pattern

Weave your own fish skeleton with pin loom squares!

Bones, the fish, is a stuffed animal made from pin loom squares. Make your own with either a 4″ or 2″ square pin loom. Only 1 pin loom is needed!

Beginner friendly, this pin loom weaving pattern includes step-by-step instructions with photos. It will teach you how to fold, roll and sew together shapes to create a stuffed animal that’s just a little fishy.

Bones, the fish, on Etsy

Bones the fish Pin Loom Pattern is now available in our Etsy shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy

We’ve owned several fish. Some have lived long healthy lives, others not so long. The orange bone fish skeleton stuffed animal reminds us of those poor little gold fish we won at the county fair when we were little. We were full of excitement and looked forward to caring for them for the rest of our lives! All too soon did we learn that pets live shorter lives than us, and carnival won gold fish lived the shortest!

Share the Love

We’d be thrill to have you share this pin loom pattern on social media. Post one of our pictures to pinterest, facebook, instagram or wherever you love to browse for pin loom projects.

Thank you!

Reviews of our Pin Loom Patterns

We receive lots of 5 star reviews for our patterns. Here’s what a few people have said about our other pin loom patterns:

  • “Great pattern! I’m looking forward to making one…” – Linda
  • “Very well organized pattern. Instructions are easy to follow. Would recommend.” – Elven
  • “Just started! So far easy to understand!” – Rita

Stuffed animals that look like fish bones are really funny and surprisingly fun to gift and decorate with.

  • Add bones to your Halloween decorations. It would be particularly fun next to any other skeletons you decorate with.
  • Add catnip and make it a cat toy (do NOT use safety eyes on toys for animals or babies).
  • Give as a gag gift to friends and family that love to fish.
  • Pair this fish with the cat from Zoo Crew (see picture below).

Be a Toy Maker

Be a toy maker! We have lots of stuffed animals you can make with a single square pin loom. Use a 4″ pin loom for traditional sized toys…or for miniatures, use a 2″ square pin loom!

  • Bones the Fish Skeleton – is available as a separate pattern.
  • Ginny the Cat – is available in Zoo Crew ebook which features 12 loveable stuffed animals.
Zoo Crew ebook 12 animals to pin loom weave on 4" or 2" pin loom. Pictured with penguins, dogs, elephants, bunny rabbits.

Which little fishy will you make?

Get Bones, the fish, Pin Loom Pattern on Etsy.

Timberland Townies

Introducing, the Timberland Townies, 6 classy pin loom woven woodland friends. These cute critters are featured in the Fall 2025 issue of Little Looms magazine.

The call for submissions asked for forest themed items. The fox quickly came to mind. After making a fox stuffed pillow and fox purse using 4″ squares for the Zoo Crew ebook, I focused on the triangular shape of the face first. Unlike the pillow and purse, the little plush fox used a variety of looms, not just the 4″ square.

While assembling the fox, the form of the face reminded me of an otter, a beaver, and a bear. It wasn’t long before the bunny and mouse joined the party! What makes each animal seem different is just the minor placement differences in the ears, eyes, and nose. To make them more authentic, I paid close attention to the tails as well.

Each stuffed animal is about 10″ tall and a few inches wide, making them great toys for elementary aged children. Safety eyes are not recommended for children that put toys in their mouths.

Each animal took about 2 hours to weave, and couple more hours to assemble, making these great weekend projects!

Timberland Townies Made with Lion Brand Yarn

The heathered tones of Heartland yarn from Lion Brand really make the clothes and accessories pop. This yarn also weaves up very nicely on the pin loom. It’s one of our favorite go-to yarns when weaving.

For those solid colored elements like fur, we used Basic Stitch from Lion Brand Yarn. We also love that this line has various shades of brown and beige under the label “Skein Tones”.

We love how the colors of these two yarn lines look together, like they were made for each other.