The next Yarnworker Weave-Along project is the Fabric Stash Rag Rug from Handwoven Home.
When I designed this project, I had quilters with large stashes of fabric in mind. I’m a fan of the giant bias tape method of making rugs, because they are stable and provide an edge that frays a little less, but that is just one of many looks you can get with rags. We will cover less complicated techniques as well such as making rag weft from t-shirts, plastic bags, and sheets. Additionally, I’ll demonstrate the technique used to weave the non-traditional Two-Color Krokbragd rug, also in Handwoven Home, that also uses rags. This project is easily adaptable to any loom size. If you don’t have a wide loom, you can weave placemats or a runner. I’ll include tips for modifying the project during registration.
The registration link will be available August 29, 2018 (see below for schedule). I’ll post the link to Patrons first, then email the link to everyone who is on the Yarnworker mailing list who checked “weave-alongs” as a special interest.
I’ll defer most questions regarding this WAL until mid-August, so I can focus on getting A Weaver’s Guide to Yarn through the production process.
Here is the who, what, when, and where info to date:
Who
This weave-along is designed for an advanced beginner. I assume that you have already woven a few projects, can warp your loom without assistance, and have a basic understanding of weaving terminology.
What
Pattern: Fabric Stash Rag Rug from Handwoven Home with a guest appearance by Two-Color Krokbragd.
Yarn
Warp: 8/4 cotton carpet warp (1,600 yd [1,463 m]/lb): 200 yd (183 m) dark green, 80 yd (73 m) pink.
Cotton Clouds is offering free shipping on carpet warp during the weave-along.
Weft as shown: 1 1⁄2″ (3.8 cm) bias-cut 100% cotton rag strips cut from 45″ (114 cm) wide 100% cotton quilting fabric: 35 yd (32 m) green print, 75 yd (69 m) light yellow, 30 yd (27 m) aqua blue.
Using the quilting fabric, you get about 10” of rug per yard of fabric, although results can vary. For this rug, you need approximately 1 1/4 yd green, 1/2 yd blue, 2 1/2 yd light yellow fabric.
You can also start gathering alternative materials, such as: old, laundered t-shirts, sheets, and even plastic bags. One t-shirt makes about 18 yards of weft. I’m still working out the yardage of the plastic bags using a typical plastic grocery bag as my standard. Gather a dozen of three different-colored bags and you should have enough, but this is just a guess. I recommend using t-shirts for the Krokbragd rug or purchasing the recommended commercial weft. All materials should be preached before cutting.
Equipment
8-dent rigid-heddle loom with a 21″ (53.5 cm) weaving width; four 20″ (51 cm) stick shuttles; tapestry beater (optional, although reccommened); sewing machine for bias strips—I’ll show other methods that don’t require a machine.
If you wish to weave the Krokbrag rug, a traditionally weft-faced weave, you will need a 5-dent rigid heddle. Also optional for this technique is a 2″ temple, as this structure tends to draw in. You can also consider using the Krokbragd technique to add some borders to your rag rug in a sett of 8, but it won’t be weft-faced.
Golden Nuggets
In this weave-along, we will tackle the many ways you can made rag weft, weaving rugs on a rigid heddle loom, and a little side trip into the wonderful world of Krokbragd.
When
Registration gets underway August 29. Hop on the Yarnworker mailing list to be emailed the link directly when it is ready. Patrons will always get notifications first.
Schedule
August 29: Registration link available, welcome information, tips on modifying the pattern in width and length, and yarn substitutions.
September 5: Rag Prep
September 12: Warp Your Loom
September 19: Weaving with Rags two ways, plain weave and Krokbragd
September 26: Finishing
October 3: Show and Tell!
Videos will be posted by noon on the appointed day.
Where
Yarnworker weave-alongs are available for free through the Yarnworker School of Weaving, a community-funded, virtual classroom for rigid-heddle weavers. For more information about the Yarnworker Weave-Alongs and School, check out this FAQ.
A big shout out to all the Patrons who have keep these weave-alongs going. Hope you will join me for this jammed packed weave-along.
Heddles Up!
Liz
