Tried and True: Rag Rug with Surprising Rosepath Inlay
- By Karen
- September 10, 2019
- 14 Comments
The first rag rug on this 12/6 cotton warp is well underway. This rug is mostly plain weave, with one simple rosepath repeat every ten centimeters. I am weaving the rosepath motif without tabby between pattern picks. The treadling is 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1. The dark brown motif contrasts with the surrounding light-colored plain weave. It almost looks as if a thick chain has been laid across the rug. I transform the otherwise dark rosepath “chains” with a simple bright inlay strip.
Rosepath with Inlay
- Weave the first four picks of the rosepath pattern, treadling 1, 2, 3, 4 (or, if using a different treadling sequence, weave up to the center pick).
- Lay in the center pick (treadle 1, in this example). Wait to beat it in.
- Measure and cut the inlay strip to size, tapering the ends.
- Put the inlay strip in the shed, laying it directly on top of the fabric strip already there.
- Beat in the weft as usual.
- Continue weaving to complete the rosepath pattern, treadling 4, 3, 2, 1 (or, as needed, for a different sequence).
You can accomplish a similar effect by weaving in a separate fabric strip for the center pick. In that case, cut tapered ends that are long enough to twist and tuck back into the shed. And carry the weft strip from the previous pick up the side.
The inlay method eliminates the extra bulk at the selvedges, and adds a slight thickness to the center pick, helping to give it a raised look. I am leaving the inlay weft tails loose, but you could cut them a little longer and tuck the ends in, if you prefer.
May you experience the simple pleasure of doing something unexpected.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
14 Comments
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Rag Rug Playground
- By Karen
- December 5, 2017
- 13 Comments
This is a rag rug playground! I am weaving miniature rugs—rosepath rag rug hot pads. My small countermarch loom is perfect for this exploration. Without tabby or with tabby? Planned weft or hit and miss? Vibrant colors or soft neutrals? Weft inlay or plain and simple? So many possibilities! My “idea bank” is exploding.
Reverse treadling adds a diamond design element at both ends of this mini rug.
Color choices are inspired by views outside this Texas hill country window.
My goal is to weave as many different versions as possible. No two alike! Sure, they all have the same 12/9 cotton warp and all-cotton-fabric-strips weft, but with all sorts of variations. Most will be gifts. Handwoven hot pads, making it to the kitchens of friends, to serve them well.
Rosepath detail.
Deep purple fabric strip is used for weft rosepath inlay over a plain weave background. Woven hot pads wind their way around the cloth beam, separated by scrap weft and warping slats.
There is no one like you, with your hopes, dreams, and pains. You touch others like no one else can. Your life makes a difference. Your life matters because it matters to God. Your Creator had good things in mind when he formed you. Lord, place us where we will best show your handiwork, where we can humbly serve those you’ve given us to love.
May you live on purpose.
Your friend,
Karen
13 Comments
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Angela Roberts says:
Great inspiration as always, creatively and spiritually xoxo
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Annie says:
It is good to be reminded that our Heavenly Father has made us all as uniquely diverse as your hot pads. Perhaps there is the bit of the weaver in him.
And I can’t quite decide which hot pad I like best! But it seems fun experimenting!
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Hi Annie, It’s fun to have a project on the loom that allows for experimentation.
Yes, I’d say our Heavenly Father positively has a weaver side to him.
All the best,
Karen
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Gayle says:
Love the variations, we want to see them laid out on the floor when you cut them off!!!
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Janet says:
Fantastic idea and I need some office gifts!! How do you finish your ends?
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Hi Janet, I plan to tie the ends into overhand knots and then trim them to about 1/4-3/8″ or so. I could have woven hems on them with thin fabric strips and then turn the hems under and stitch, but I haven’t done that this time. It’s possible to bind the edges (after tying knots) with fabric, but that doesn’t always stay looking great, especially if they are washed frequently.
These weave up nice and fast! …Besides being so much fun to do. Great idea for office gifts!
Happy weaving!
Karen-
One more thing… If you plan to tie knots, it is helpful to have at least 4 inches of warp for tying. So I try to put about 8″ between mats, with scrap weft and slats. You can tie knots with less than 4″, but it can get a little tricky. I always regret it when I shorten the distance to try to save warp.
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Hello Karen,
These are beautiful! What a wonderful way to play with new patterns and colors while using up fabric scraps. Plus, they’re very useful!
Can you tell me, how long is your warp and how many potholders do you think you’ll end up with? I don’t have a lot of cotton fabrics laying around, but I’m sure wool scraps would work just as well, don’t you think? In fact, with wool being naturally fire retardant, they might be a good choice:)
Thank you for sharing. I always look forward to your blog posts!!
Kathryn
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Hi Kathryn, I wish I could tell you how long the warp is. This started as a tapestry/inlay project. After finishing the first of four panels, I decided I didn’t want to weave three more. The original warp was probably about 5 or 6 yards. Instead of cutting off the rest of the warp, I decided to do something fun and easy – hot pads! I have not been counting, so I can’t even tell you how many I have so far – maybe 6 or 8. And I’m guessing I’ll get 3 or 4 more.
If I were planning this from the start, I would figure the length of the hot pad (mine are about 5-6″ long), plus 4″ on both ends for tying knots (or 2″ on each end for weaving hems, plus the 4″ for knots). Multiply by the number of hot pads you want. Add about 15% take-up and shrinkage. Add loom waste. (Hmm… maybe I should do a blog post about project calculations…)
I think wool fabric would be a great choice for hot pads. I didn’t know about wool being naturally fire retardant. That’s good to know!
Thanks for asking great questions!
Karen
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Limor Johnson says:
Hi Karen,
What is the sett on these beautiful rugs? What size reed are you using?Thanks for sharing, great work and pictures,
Limor-
Hi Limor, The sett is approximately 6 epi. I’m using a metric 25/10 reed, the rough equivalent of which is a 6-dent reed. One end per heddle, and one end per dent.
Thanks for stopping by!
All the best,
Karen
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Keep Advancing the Warp
- By Karen
- October 17, 2017
- No Comments
This is a series of learning experiences—some easy, and some quite challenging. I am near the end of the first panel of the tapestry/inlay sampler. All along the way, I encounter obstacles. Like a broken warp end. Again. That broken warp end is discouraging. Surely, I should be able to keep that from happening by now.
Broken warp end on the right selvedge required taking out several rows of weaving so I could splice the warp.
Meanwhile, a simple line of soumak makes a pleasing border for this curve. It defines the shape with a slightly raised line. Over three, around one…all the way across. This part is nice and easy.
Soumak technique, Step 1.
Soumak technique, Step 2.
Despite another broken warp end, the warp is advanced and the weaving continues. It helps to weave in a peaceful setting.
Daily life is not always easy. Put your eyes on God, not on the obstacles you face. And don’t worry about your own inability to navigate the circumstances. Trust God to carry you. He has carried you this far, and will continue to show himself strong on your behalf. Those broken warp ends are spliced, and the weaving continues. The selvedge may show some evidence of having had trouble, but the soumak outlines and other woven features will draw the eye. There is victory in advancing the warp to continue the sampler to the end.
May you advance through the obstacles you face.
With you,
Karen
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Simply Weave Back and Forth
- By Karen
- September 26, 2017
- 2 Comments
Am I seeing the hint of a ‘cello? No complicated pattern this time, just a relaxed back and forth, meet and separate, with yarn butterflies. The only planned pattern is a curved outline at the start and end of this section, with some simple hatching in between.
Section seven of the linen tapestry/inlay sampler. Hatching is used to visually blend the two color bundles.
The relaxed back-and-forth questions and ponderings that we all have are an indication that we want to know the truth. Search to find answers. The Lord is always calling us to seek him, to search him out, to find out what he’s about. Seeking the Lord means having a heart that wants and yearns to know God and his ways. Having questions is a part of what it means to be human. Peace comes, not in finding all the answers, but in finding the one who holds the answers. He knows what he is weaving.
May you ask good questions.
All the best,
Karen
2 Comments
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Linda Cornell says:
Very meaningful. Thank you.
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Good morning, Linda,
I’m glad you found it meaningful. Thank you for letting me know.All the best,
Karen
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Crabba or Not
- By Karen
- September 5, 2017
- 6 Comments
Sometimes I really don’t know what I am doing! It’s uncomfortable. I make a guess and hope for the best. I almost skipped this section of the tapestry/inlay sampler because I don’t understand the instructions for crabba in The Big Book of Weaving. I’ve heard of crabba, and have seen pictures, but I have no experience with it.
First two attempts at weaving the diamond-shapes of crabba. 1) Too faint. 2) Too flat.
Consequently, I am attempting to weave something that resembles the crabba motif, with “rhomboid pattern shapes and stairstep contours.” My first little diamond all but disappeared. Pattern weft needs to be thicker. My second attempt flattened into a flying saucer. Aha! I need at least two pattern picks of each row. Finally, I wove three more diamond motifs. Crabba, or not, they are now a part of this inlay sampler.
Color gradation continues in the background under the inlay diamond shapes.
Visiting the loom in morning light brings a reminder that much of weaving is learning by doing. And much of life is that way, too.
We can’t know everything. But we can keep learning, even when we don’t understand the instructions. Instead of quitting, step up and make an attempt. Raise your hopes. Stir up your faith to hope for the impossible. Your brave steps today set you up for greater progress next time you face a hurdle. Place your faith in the Lord, the instruction-giver. Sometimes He lets you learn by doing.
May you hope for the best.
~~Houston update: After diverting to Texas hill country because of the Hurricane Harvey flooding last week, Steve and I finally returned home to Houston this weekend. We are very thankful to come home to a dry house, untouched by the flooding that has devastated so many in our city. Relief efforts will continue in Houston for some time. Thank you for your prayers.~~
Hopefully,
Karen
6 Comments
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Nice to read this blog Karen. I am working through a Crabba (Krabasnår) pattern at the moment also – and it sure is a learning lesson, but I am really enjoying the challenge. Looking forward to the end product. Hope you will post it to show us.
Enjoy the morning light.
Alison-
Hi Alison, It’s good to know you are working through a Crabba pattern, too. I have a two or three more sections on this sampler, and then I will take it off so that we can see the whole thing. I will certainly post it.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Ann says:
Thanks for the Houston update. I am much relieved because I been very worried about you. Best news of the day.
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Beautiful! You explain it so well that I’m adding it to my to do list. Thank you
Hi Annie, That’s great! Have fun with it.
Happy weaving,
Karen
How wide is your Ideal? It looks bigger than mine!
I admire your weaving so much! I started too late to achieve such mastery, but I love weaving. Warping, not so much! It is still too much of an adventure!
Marjorie
Hi Marjorie, My Ideal is 100cm (39”). The warp on the loom is almost full weaving width.
Thank you for the compliment! I’m not that much ahead of you. I was also a very late beginner. So it’s certainly not too late for you to gain mastery in the areas you pursue. Maybe someday I can help you to love warping, too, as part of the whole beautiful process.
Happy weaving,
Karen
How pretty! I love the variety of colors in the background stripes, too! When you do it this way, is the bright rose path center fabric visible on the back?
Elisabeth
Hi Elisabeth, I’m using up fabric strips from previous rag rug projects, so I have a mixed assortment that I’m using here. I like the way some of the prints turn out when woven. That center inlay strip really appears only on the top side, except for little bits of color here and there. The reverse side shows the all-brown rosepath motifs, but a little lighter in color because the darkest side of the fabric is facing the top.
Karen
You are amazing. such beautiful colours. I made a couple of rag rugs a few years ago but did it the cheap way using old denim jeans that took forever to prepare. I am currently finishing a throw in alpaca and considering what to weave next. so many weaves to explore. I love warping by the way, it is always a challenge to try to get the perfect warp. Thank you for for your inspirational blog.
Hi Vida, I’m very happy that you like these colors! I’m sure your denim rag rugs are terrific. I’d like to make some denim rag rugs some day. Isn’t weaving an exciting field? There’s no end to what we can explore with our looms!! I agree with you about warping. It’s great to have a continual challenge.
I appreciate your kind words so much!
All the best,
Karen
The loom is waiting a little while longer. There is work to he done on the outside of our primary home and more preparation on the inside of our retirement home.
I look forward to one home and all my crafts under one roof. And finding a way to keep the wild creatures on the out of the basement.
Today a coyote walked though the yard. Something to get used to.
Your weaving provides order in my wild world. It is beautiful and functional.
Blessings
Nannette
Hi Nannette, Transitions are challenging. You have a lot to look forward to. We haven’t seen any coyotes on our property, but plenty of other wildlife – armadillos, roadrunners, gray foxes, blackbuck antelope, and so on.
Making beautiful things that are functional is a huge weaving goal of mine. Thank you for your thoughtful encouragement.
All the best,
Karen
Very pretty rug Karen!
Another technique you can use when weaving a single pick of a color is to cut that strip twice the width of the rug plus overlap but only half the width of the other strips. Lay it in the shed with both ends hanging out. Wrap them around the edge thread and arch them back in the same shed, overlapping the tapered ends. I think it is less fussy than trying to tuck the ends in at the edges.
Jenny
PS:
My loom is working fine, although I did have to stop after weaving a bit and fix one shed that went wonky. I have seven of the twelve table napkins woven for our guild exchange. I’m hoping each warp will become easier to set up the treadling.
Hi Jenny, Thank you for that very useful tip! I will try that.
I’m sure your sheds will get better and better with each successive warp.
I notice you are using a metal temple on this rug. Do you recommend metal rather than wooden temples for rag rugs?
Hi Joan, I’m glad you asked! I prefer a wooden temple, even for rag rugs, but I don’t have a wooden one the right size for this rug, so I’m using the metal one instead. I like the wooden temple because it is lighter weight, and I can set it closer to the fell line without damaging the beater. The metal temple can gouge the beater if I set it too close to the fell. I’ve done that. Ouch! I guess it’s time for me to order another Glimakra temple. 🙂
Happy weaving,
Karen