The potholder looms of my childhood were made of metal: sturdy and with a definite heft to them. Once you had one you had one.
When my kids were growing up, the concept had been watered down to flimsy, cheap plastic looms that broke and thin synthetic loops that made your potholder gap and then they would scorch or even melt–which defeats the point of having the kids not only create it but be able to be proud of seeing their work being put to good use for years to come. I never was able to find the old metal type; they just weren’t out there.
Harrisville Designs (yes the woolen mill) has revived them. Which makes sense; they sell weaving looms, so, hey, start them young!
Their custom loops are thick braided cotton. They’ve improved the pegs to help keep the loops on while the weaving is happening, and they offer patterns to show what those loops could become.
In case anyone’s looking.