Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book for review; all opinions are my own. This post includes affiliate links.
Radical Potholder Weaving Review
A Bit About the Author
"Deborah Cohen began designing potholder weaving patterns when she was disappointed in the number of patterns available and began to convert other weaving patterns to work on her potholder loom. She found that the possibilities were endless, and she soon found others online who were also excited by what you could weave on a small loom. She is the founder and administrator of Radical Potholder Weavers, a dynamic, fast-growing Facebook Group, and she has also given Zoom workshops through The Weaving Way Community. IG @deborahjeancohen and @radicalpotholderweavers" Deborah wrote this book with the help of Mary Clarke, Christine Olsen Reis, Andréa Scheidler, Kendal Rosenberger, and Paula Royse.
Inside Radical Potholder Weaving
"Inside this book, you’ll find more than 100 patterns for your potholder looms: in plain weave, shadow weave, and twill. The majority of these are new, never charted for the small loom before, and the rest are strong classic patterns chosen to complete the collection. One chapter teaches you how to convert floor loom drafts for the potholder loom, reverse engineer any potholder, and chart your own design. Others introduce you to intriguing weaving techniques—and of course, basics are explained: sources, tips, heads-up advice."
This is the first book of potholder patterns I've looked at, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It starts off with a Chapter on "How to Read Charts; Tips; Sources," and it is super helpful. I was surprised to see how similar the charts are to knitting charts and some crochet charts! While you might remember the basic techniques, this is serious looming done on a small, familiar scale.
has hacks for making your loom work with different-sized patterns, creating beautiful lines, and blocking your work when it's done. There is also a list of places where you can find loops better than we remember - and a super fun idea for making your own loops!
There are weaving techniques outlined here I never would've imagined, and a section on how to create your own designs, too! She even goes over how to reverse engineer patterns you encounter elsewhere. Once you've learned all the techniques, it dives into the patterns - charts with lots of sample photos and plans!
I got a chance to play with a potholder loom a few months ago while I was watching my niece - and I so wish I'd had this book with me for that trip! But I will definitely be breaking it out for her visit this summer - hopefully she'll let me have a few turns too! Nostalgic, exciting, and inspiring all at the same time!
And it debuted with a spiral binding option! This makes it easy to leave it open to the page you need, reducing one more point of frustration when trying new things - great for crafters of all ages!
Get your own spiral-bound copy of today!
Purchase your own copy of this book on Amazon, or ask for it at your local bookseller! Just released May 26!
Giveaway
Giveaway is open in the US and Canada. The giveaway ends July 7, 2026, at 12:15am Central US time. To enter, use the Kingsumo form below. Only the email option is mandatory – all other tasks are optional, for bonus entries only.
One winner will receive a spiral-bound copy of courtesy of Stackpole Books. They will be notified by email.
GOOD LUCK ALL!
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Jess C says
I have this book! mine isn't spiral bound though, and I actually don't remember where I got it either, lol!
My only complaint is that it is definitely not for beginners, as it doesn't have basic instructions for taking your work off the loom once you've weaved. I had a loom when I was a kid, but always had brought it to my mom to take it off, and I don't think she ever really showed me how back then, so when I finished my first one last month I had to youtube it.