Paper Weaving - Learn to make a paper woven square

Aug 25, 2026

Upload by Skyler

Paper weaving is a hands-on craft suitable for any age, using materials such as magazine paper, wrapping paper, or recycled cards. The instructions encourage experimenting with design choices, including mapping patterns on squared paper and mixing colors or strip widths. A simple method outlines what to prepare and how to cut two 20cm x 20cm paper squares, create borders, slice vertical and horizontal strips, and weave them row by row using alternating over/under steps to finish a complete woven square.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Paper weaving overview

Materials needed

Step-by-step instructions

Design ideas and customization

Paper Weaving Paper weaving is great fun for any age. You can use any type of paper from magazines, wrapping paper to recycled cards. Play around with the design, try mapping it out on squared paper to make it easier, you can mix colours or try different width strips. If you really like your design you could translate it into a yarn weave. You will need the following materials and equipment: • 2 pieces of paper 20cm x 20cm • a craft knife or scissors (and cutting board if using the knife) • a metal ruler Look through the photos below for detailed instructions. Don't forget you can get lots of ideas on our Facebook group NCCD Family and Community , you can share your creations with us across all our social media pages, or by tagging us on Facebook @The National Centre for Craft & Design. [www.nccd.org.uk](www.nccd.org.uk) 1) . You need to start by choosing two different pieces of paper – it is useful for your first time to make sure they are quite different, so you can see what you are doing. A plain piece and a patterned piece will work well. 2) . Carefully draw a square on your first piece of paper. The square needs to measure 20cm x 20 cm, and then cut it out. 3) . On the back of this piece, mark out a 0.5cm border on the top and bottom of your square 4) . Carefully draw vertical lines 1cm all the way across the square. You must measure the distance at both the top and bottom, to ensure your lines are straight. 5) . Use a craft knife and a metal ruler to carefully cut down each line, leaving the borders intact. 7) . Mark 1cm lines down this piece, but no need to leave a border this time. 6) . Cut our a 20cm x 20cm square from your second piece of paper. 8) . These strips will go horizontally. 9) . Carefully cut these strips up 10) . Begin to weave the strips in and out of your first piece of paper. 11) . On the next row, start with the opposite ie 1st row under / over, 2nd row over / under 12) . Continue this weave on each row until you have completed the square

FAQs

What materials are required for paper weaving?

You need two 20cm x 20cm pieces of paper, plus a craft knife or scissors, a metal ruler, and (if using the knife) a cutting board.

How do you prepare the first paper square?

Draw and cut out a 20cm x 20cm square, then mark a 0.5cm border on the top and bottom. Draw vertical lines 1cm apart across the square and carefully cut down each line while leaving the borders intact.

How should the weaving alternate on each row?

Begin weaving the strips in and out, and for the next row start with the opposite pattern (under/over compared with the previous row). Continue alternating until the square is fully completed.

Aug 25, 2026

Upload by Skyler