'Pigtails' in Tapestry Weaving - why are they so important?

Starting a tapestry weaving project is always exciting, but one little detail that often gets overlooked is how to begin your weft thread securely. This is where pigtails come in — and honestly, they’re a tiny technique that makes a huge difference! In my workshops it can take a while for some people to click with them, especially when adding more weft, but once it makes sense… it’s a game-changer.

What Are Pigtails in Tapestry Weaving?

Pigtails are simply the small tails of weft thread tucked behind the warp at the start of weaving. They might look insignificant, but they’re absolute heroes when it comes to structure, neatness, and overall weaving confidence.

In tapestry weaving, the warp threads run vertically on your loom and the weft (your yarn) travels horizontally through them. Every time you start a new weft thread, you need a reliable way to anchor it so it doesn’t slip out or leave gaps.

A pigtail is just a short tail of yarn left at the beginning of a new pick (row) and tucked behind a warp thread at the back. It acts as your hidden anchor — no knots, no lumps, just a clean, tidy start that keeps everything exactly where it should be. This is especially helpful when changing colours or beginning a new area of your design.

Why Pigtails Are So Helpful

Skipping pigtails (or starting incorrectly) can lead to:

• Loose edges — the weft can slip out and leave gaps.

• Uneven tension — which can cause puckering or distortion.

• Visible joins — knots and bumps can interrupt the front surface.

Using pigtails keeps your weaving tight, smooth, and beautifully consistent from the very first row. They make colour transitions cleaner and edges much neater — and honestly, they just make weaving feel easier.

How to Make a Pigtail (It’s Really Simple!)

This technique often catches my students out during workshops, so trust me — you’re not alone! I’ve included diagrams below to make it even clearer.

Here’s the simple process:

1. Start your weft as usual, but leave around a 1.5” tail at the beginning.

2. Tuck this little tail behind the second warp thread and pull to the back of your tapestry (see Diagram 1). Use your fingers or a needle to help.

3. Continue weaving forward with nice, even tension.

4. As the rows build up, the tucked tail becomes fully hidden and perfectly anchored.

When Pigtails Shine

• Colour changes — keeps boundaries crisp and clean.

• Tiny shapes or tricky details — maintains good tension and sharp outlines.

• Slippery or thick yarns — adds extra security when fibres misbehave.

  
  

Helpful Tips for Managing Pigtails

• Keep tails short but long enough to tuck securely. You’ll sew them in once your tapestry comes off the loom (I have videos showing exactly how).

• Avoid knots on the front — always tuck tails behind the warp.

• Check the back every now and then to keep things tidy.

• Practise neat tucks to avoid unnecessary bulk.

• A small tapestry needle is perfect for tight little spaces.

Why Pigtails Make a Difference in the Finished Piece

Tapestries with neat, well-secured pigtails hold their shape better, have cleaner edges, and wear beautifully over time. Because each weft thread is properly anchored, the piece looks more professional.

For beginners and experienced weavers alike, mastering pigtails is one of those small skills that dramatically improves your weaving confidence and craftsmanship.

Let's talk about the 'shed'

To really understand pigtails, we need to look at your shed. There are only two sheds in tapestry weaving. Some weavers use a shedding device to raise and lower warp threads, but in my classes we keep it simple and use the needle.

Imagine your warps are numbered across the loom.

• The first shed is created by raising the odd warps: 1, 3, 5, 7, and so on. This first row is called a pick or half pass.

• Then you go around the last warp and return, weaving over the even warps: 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.

• Two picks together (there and back) make one pass.

As you progress, you won’t always weave the full width — tapestry is all about making shapes — so you’ll often be working in smaller sections.

What are 'hills' and valleys'?

A hill is where the yarn travels over the warp.

A valley is where it travels behind the warp.

As you weave, the weight of the yarn locks the pigtail in place. When finishing yarn at the selvedge, you lock it in the same way. Then you start with a new strand and repeat.

Diagram 1:

As you advance, you’ll learn how to change yarn away from the selvedge for straighter, neater edges. It feels fiddly at first, but soon becomes second nature. I teach this in my classes using the simple “2–1 method,” and once it clicks, you won’t even need to think about it. So, to clarify, to finish your yarn when it's getting short - you go over a hill and then come under two warps and bring your yarn back around in front of the second warp before tucking it behind. You then get your new weft thread and come under one warp and then go over the next and so on.

As you advance you will not need to do it as a strict 2-1. It's just to get you thinking the right way in the beginning.

Don’t Worry — This Is a Lot to Take In!

Some people follow written instructions easily, while others learn visually — we’re all different. It can feel complex at first, but it’s really just about understanding the order of your hills and valleys and following what happened in the row before.

If you look at my diagrams, you’ll see my aim is to always cover the warp and prevent gaps (or “lice,” as we call them in tapestry). Keeping hills and valleys alternating is the key.

If this feels confusing right now, that’s completely normal — it’s a lot to absorb in one sitting. You can watch my videos in the Beginner’s Tapestry Class or join one of my workshops where I can guide you through every step.

My own work is very art-focused, so I always aim for a clean, polished finish. Learning these small techniques is an essential part of your weaving journey, and it’s such a rewarding moment when everything finally clicks.

Most of all have fun and happy weaving!!

Liz

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