You can teach yourself the basics of pattern weaving often called Brocade by using a very simple frame loom and practicing. I suggest for these exercises using a potholder type frame loom and a large tapestry needle. Thus you can practice and make some nice mug rugs for gifts!
Wrap a heavy yarn of sport or worsted weight (nice time to use up scrap yarn) around two opposite sides of the loom until all the pegs on each side are fully warped. Weave a plain weave back a forth for around an inch or so wrapping each weft (sides-ways) thread around the free side pegs as you proceed with filling in the warp.
To start a simple triangle pattern instead of using a plain weave of every other thread you pick a selected number of threads. To make triangles use an ODD number of threads as you will work down to a single thread as you proceed.
So pick up an odd number of threads (I suggest seven) and Hold them up with your needle. Weave the next three threads with plain weave, and then pick up another seven.
Go on in this manner until you reach the edge of your work. For the next row pick up two less threads in your pattern (five) and plain weae between them to make up the difference. Work even acroos the row. For the next row decrease your pattern stitches another two threads. You should be down to three pattern threads with plain weaving between. Finally for the last pattern row only weave one pattern thread, or in other words weave this row as all plain over one/under one weave.
Voila! You have made your first brocade mug rug! This can be adapted to create rows of pine trees for XMAS mug rugs by using green yarns for the trees. Experiment and see what you can develop.
Have fun gift making in your spare time.
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