As soon as the cloth is cut from the loom, the threads begin to relax. On the loom, the warp width for these rag rugs was 27 inches (68.5 cm). How quickly everything can change! Now, spread out on the floor, the width has already narrowed to 25 inches (63.5 cm). In a week or two, the width will have narrowed by another 1/2 inch (1.25 cm). [How do I know? THIS CHRISTMAS RUG, cut from this same warp a few weeks ago, is now 24 1/2 inches (62.25 cm) wide.] Since all the looming tension is over, these rugs can just lay back and relax. Haha! That’s how I feel whenever a few demanding weeks or months finally come to a close.
We do need the experiences that stretch us, and we need the relaxed times as well. Life will always have its ups and downs, but there is one thing that brings consistency through it all. Faith. Faith looks back and remembers being rescued; and faith looks forward into the unknown with courage. A life of faith is a life that is full. Not full of stuff or projects, but full of meaning.
Love. Belief. Joy. These are the gifts we bring to our rescuer. Our faith in him is rewarded with his own nearness. So, whether stretched or at ease, we know with confidence that we are loved.
May your faith be renewed.
Love,
Karen
Beautiful!
I’m just now making warp for rugs – in rosepath 🙂
Great choice! Let me know how it works out for you.
Karen
Those are gorgeous! How long did it take you to weave all of them?
Opal, Thanks so much for the compliment!
Two months. …but there were a lot of interruptions, ha ha ha.
Seriously, I did actually keep track of my time, so here are the details:
About 5 hours to wind the warp and dress the loom.
Weaving – About 6 hours per rug. (4 rugs x 6 = 24 hours)
Finishing the ends and hemming – About 2 hours per rug. (4 rugs x 2 = 8 hours)
A beautiful post for eye and soul. Thank you!
Do you use a temple? We call them that in Canada, not sure if you just
call them stretchers in the U.S. I have a 60″ Glimakra and Joanne Hall (Glim. USA) really encourages the use of a temple as do all the Swedish weaving
books. I have a love-hate relationship with them as they really slow me down but I’m happy with the lack of draw in.
Judith, I’m happy that you found the post meaningful.
I absolutely always use a temple when weaving rugs. And I almost always use a temple for everything else. Joanne Hall has been one of my mentors, and she made it clear that using a temple is one of the easiest ways to maintain consistency in weaving. Becky Ashenden told me that she would never consider weaving a rug without a temple.
Since I started out with that thought; and since Joanne and Becky are two of the best weavers I know, it only seems natural to me to have a temple in place. 🙂
But I understand what you mean – Who wants to stop and move the temple every few inches?
Good Morning, Karen! I just put a rosepath rag rug warp on my loom this weekend and I’m testing my drafts/wefts now! I’m so excited to have found you and your projects online while I’ve done research; have a great week!
Hello, Beth!
I’m so happy to “meet” you! Rosepath rag rugs are so much fun. Enjoy!
Happy Weaving,
Karen