Bright Blue Batik Rag Rug
- By Karen
- June 28, 2016
- 4 Comments
I had planned on a dark brown hem, but when I wove my sample, the brown print by itself didn’t “say” anything. I considered a blue hem. The blue batik is beautiful, but by itself is too “loud.” By alternating the bright blue and the dark brown I get the results I want for the plain weave hem of this double binding rag rug.

Header at the beginning of the rag rug is woven with warp yarn. The white prints on the dark brown fabric strips happen to line up with each other, giving an ikat-like effect in the weft.
The blue batik fabric plays a major part in this rug. When I start the double binding, you will see the blue in all its splendor. The hem is a border, though. The hem is an introduction and closing to the body of the rug, like a greeting and farewell of a conversation. The quiet brown enhances the bright blue by giving it the subtlety it needs for the hem.
Wisdom is strong and beautiful like this bright blue batik. And quietness, like the dark brown print, compliments the wisdom. Silence is wisdom’s friend. Restraint in speaking gives you the advantage of knowing someone else’s view. Staying cool-headed helps you to understand another person’s position. It’s in the quietness that wisdom has the most to say.
May your silence give meaning to your words.
Quietly,
Karen
4 Comments
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Quiet Friday: Small Tapestry Bridge
- By Karen
- June 24, 2016
- 10 Comments
The unfinished small tapestry went in my travel bag this week. Travel tapestry is perfect for those waiting times at the airport; and gives me something interesting to do in flight. Best of all, while visiting my mom, she and I sat side-by-side one afternoon “doing art.” Mom used Staedtler coloring pencils to color detailed flower designs in a fancy coloring book; and I used Fårö wool to weave colors in the tapestry. What a sweet setting in which to finish this tapestry bridge!
May all your travels be pleasant.
Happy weaving,
Karen
10 Comments
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Truly a work of art. What wonderful memories you wove into this piece.
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Beautiful Karen, and what a great time with your Mom! I hope she is well.
Thank you for all the effort you go to share your work with us. I really appreciate it.
Liberty -
what a beautiful piece of art. I really love this one and all the others. And no stretcher !!! LPJ, linda
PS the shading is really good and the arch is perfect. Want to go for your Masters? I have the requirements. -
What kind of loom is this? I have heard about the Mirrix loom but it’s kinda spendy if I try tapestry weaving and don’t like it.
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I love your tapestry. The level of detail you manage to put into your smaller works really amazes me.
Can I ask where you got the plastic warp comb/pegs piece on your loom from? The original travel tapestry frame used brads and this looks like a much better solution.
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Strings and Threads
- By Karen
- June 21, 2016
- 7 Comments
This is a good day to put new strings on my cello. And to make my looms look like stringed instruments. Cello strings are tuned by tightening them until they reach specific pitches. Warp threads are “tuned” by tightening small groups of ends, one group at a time, until all the warp ends are equally taut. When the strings and threads are tensioned as they should be, it’s possible to create beautiful things–music and cloth. The bow and the shuttle turn strings and threads into songs.
You must accurately hear pitches to tune a cello. You must have a keen sense of touch to evenly tension a warp. These skills can be learned, but only by those who are interested in learning.

Evenly tensioned red warp has a white leveling string that goes across the beginning of the warp, producing an even surface for weaving. Warp ends are “tuned” for weaving.

With a little imagination, the loom’s tied-on warp become the strings of a musical instrument, ready for strumming.
This reminds me of wisdom. Wisdom cannot be bought, and will never make sense to someone who has no interest in it. You can pay for knowledge and instruction, but wisdom only comes to those who have a heart to be wise. Let the music begin!

With new strings, the old German cello sings out with a rich and powerful sound. (Find me on Instagram as @celloweaver.)
May your heart be wise.
Happy music making,
Karen
7 Comments
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Hi Karen,
I have been very interested in this leveling thread and your method of tying on. I take my warps over the bar, split into two pieces, then tie those two pieces together on top. Can a leveling thread be used with this type of tie-on? How do you tie on and tension in the over/under configuration that you use? -
Thanks, Karen! I work on a rigid heddle loom, and I think Joanne’s book will probably be best for me.
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Hi Karen: I too tie on without a leveling thread and after 45 years of weaving I’ve not had a problem. Just to show how different tieons can work ….I do not use a stick, but tie on to a metal bar that is inside a cloth attatched to the front beam. and Yes there are slits in the cloth.Very different from You, but always a success for me. I guess “different strokes———–same conclusion”. is the lesson. Love, Peace and Joy, linda
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Hi Karen,
I’ve recently started weaving on a RHL, and came across your leveling string method by accident, but love the idea. However, I thought I also saw a video showing how it was done, but can’t find now. Did you happen to make one? Wondering if you could please help. Thank you!
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Two Looms at Once
- By Karen
- June 17, 2016
- 2 Comments
I am happily dressing my two looms at the same time. First, wind one warp, and then the other. Beam a warp on the big loom (Glimåkra Standard); and then, on the baby loom (Glimåkra Ideal). Thread the big loom; thread the baby loom. Back and forth. Soon, two looms will be ready!

Four shaft pairs are added to the four already on the loom. You can tell the shafts that have been used the most by the golden tone of the wood. 12/6 cotton is doubled in the heddles. Pumpkin and cinnamon colors combine to make a rich red warp.
Both looms are being dressed for rag rugs. Rag rug heaven! The big loom is threaded for double binding, using eight shafts. The baby loom has four-shaft rosepath threading. I am eager to get everything tied up so I can weave!
There’s an order to things in the universe, like there’s an order to dressing the looms. It matters how we live. It makes sense to live according to the way the Grand Weaver set things up. God knows who we are and what we need. And he provides the threads, like integrity, and other virtues, that are spun by his own hand. The individual pattern comes to life when the threads he has woven in our inner being become our outward expression. And we know the Weaver enjoys the work of his hands.
May threads of virtue be woven in your cloth.
Happy weaving,
Karen
2 Comments
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Thank you. It is just what I needed to hear tonight. God often talks to us through other people!
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Tools Day: Narrow Shelf
- By Karen
- June 14, 2016
- No Comments
It’s not easy to keep a table top cleared off. Little things accumulate that intrude on the work space. The wonderful maple work table Steve made for my weaving room a couple years ago provides a needed surface for multiple uses. I do my project planning here; and I weigh out my yarns here; and I wind quills here. It’s time to create a space for the little things, to get them off the table. Steve to the rescue! He built a narrow shelf to go on the wall behind the work table. Pencils, snips, pins and needles, quills with a little bit of thread, and the like. Pegs below the shelf give me a convenient place to hang a few essentials–small scissors, Gingher thread clippers on a cord, a few choke ties, tape measure, and my Väv Calendar.

Hand-crafted maple shelf compliments the maple work table below. Frequently used items are within arm’s reach.
Now, I am ready for anything!
May your creative space work in your favor.
All the best,
Karen
Such beautiful color along with such beautiful thoughts. Looking forward to seeing your wise, quiet rug completed.
Hi Ruth,
You’ll see the progress as I go on. Thanks for expressing an interest. I appreciate your kind thoughts.
Karen
Once again, beautiful weaving and eve more beautiful thoughts. Thanks, Karen, you are an inspiration.
Pam
Hi, Pam,
It is sweet for you to let me know this had meaning for you. Thanks!
Karen