Overview

Tom Knisely is back with 30 brand-new designs for his favorite type of weaving project: rag rugs! Weaving with strips of cloth creates a sturdy, hard-wearing piece that can be enjoyed on your floor every day for years to come. When made with repurposed cloth from items you otherwise have no use for, these rugs are also an excellent way to keep fabrics from ending up in a landfill (or even just taking up space in a closet). In Rags to Rugs, Tom explores the weaving possibilities of a variety of fabrics, from T-shirts and jeans to quilts, linens, towels, and more. He shows you the techniques he uses to get the most from each piece, and gives advice on how best to set up your loom for weaving with rags much thicker than your typical weaving thread. Ready to get started? First, look at Tom's 30 beautiful rugs and read through each project for the wealth of information he's included on the materials used and options you might try to create a similar rug. He shares exactly what he chose for each project, but the drafts are adaptable to what you have on hand or can source from friends, family, and thrift stores. Once you've gathered and prepared your materials, refer to the section on rug weaving basics for a refresher if needed and some very helpful tips, and you are on your way! !

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9780811770576

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Reviews

"In this challenging manual, weaving instructor Knisely (Spinning 101) details how to transform old clothes, blankets, and other pieces of fabric into rugs. Knisely offers a detailed overview of looms and what to look for when purchasing one for weaving rugs, explaining that the shuttles need to be relatively big so they can ""hold large amounts of rags"" and that floor looms are strongly preferred over less sturdy portable looms. Weighing in on the best materials for threads, the author notes that half cotton, half polyester blends are durable and easy to work with, and that linen thread is strong but ""has little to no elasticity."" Each project involves tearing recycled fabric into strips, preparing thread on the loom, and then weaving the rug. Unfortunately, the complicated instructions mean this is easier said than done. Knisely falls short in his attempt to make attaching thread to the loom less ""overwhelming"";beginners will struggle to follow the confusing photos and wordy instructions on ""winding the warp"" and ""sleying the reed."" The designs themselves are inviting if straightforward, consisting largely of variations on diamond, stripe, and checkerboard motifs, but the omission of directions on how to follow a weaving chart feels like an oversight. This is best suited for experienced weavers. -- ""Publishers Weekly"""

Author Information

Tom Knisely teaches at the Red Stone Glen Fiber Arts Center in York Haven, Pennsylvania. He has taught weaving for more than 30 years--everything from beginners' classes to complex multi-harness weaving--and was named Teacher of the Year by Handwoven magazine. He is the author of the popular Weaving Rag Rugs, Huck Lace Weaving with Color and Weave Effects, Handwoven Table Linens, and Handwoven Baby Blankets.

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