Quiet Friday: Double-Binding Rag Rugs

Ordinary has never appealed to me. I remember some outfits I wore as a girl that were far from ordinary. For example, I had a corduroy cape with a Peter Pan collar, that had slits for the arms. I wore a corduroy brimmed cap to match, with a striped feather on the brim. Did I know any other ten-year-old girl wearing such a thing? No, not really. But I thought the outfit looked “cool” and stylish.

When I make a rag rug, I am not aiming for ordinary. I like the idea of making a rug that no one has imagined before.

Double-binding rag rug on loom.

Autumn Clouds rag rug on the loom. Karen Isenhower

Rag rugs on the loom.

Black and White and Red rag rug on the loom.

Simply red squares rag rug.

Double-binding rag rug on the loom.

Black and White.

Nearing the end of Black and White and Red rag rug.

Black and Red Squares rag rug on the loom. Karen Isenhower

May your ideas be far from ordinary.

Your friend,
Karen

14 thoughts on “Quiet Friday: Double-Binding Rag Rugs

    1. Fran, Thank you for letting me know what you think!
      I’m glad to hear you like the white background ones since that is something new that I am trying. I’m eager to see what it looks like when it’s off the loom.

      Karen

    1. Hi Helen,
      I’m very glad you like what you see here! I start with ideas from books, and then I adapt them to suit the designs that I have in mind.

      Here are some of the books I use as resources, that include double-binding (or double-faced) rugs:

      The Big Book of Weaving, by Laila Lundell, p.96, “Checked Fabric.” This is not a rug, but I have used this draft to weave rag rugs, using a sett of 8 epi.
      Swedish Rag Rugs 35 New Designs, from VävMagasinet, p.36 and following.
      Happy Weaving, from VävMagasinet, p.64-67.
      Rag Rug Handbook, by Janet Meany and Paula Pfaff, p.73-75

      I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any more questions.

      Karen

    1. Cheryl, what a nice thing for you to say! I’m honored that you think highly of my work. I’m just here having fun.

      Let me know any time you are near Houston and I’ll have you come over and we can visit about weaving!

      All the best,
      Karen

  1. I’m a beginner rug weaver! Is there a name for this type of weaving the color changes? Looks like 2 sided something. Do you have a good book or link for me to learn this?

    I’m teaching myself Norwegian Rolakan. Wondering at first if you were using this, but no, I see you weren’t.

    1. Hi Penny,

      Welcome to the joy of rug weaving! This weave structure is called “Double Binding,” or “Dubbelbindning” in Swedish. A few comments above this one I mentioned a few resources I have used for learning to weave rugs like this. Any of those could help you get started.
      Great questions! Let me know if you have any more questions along the way.

      Happy weaving,
      Karen

  2. Do you ever weave rugs with corduroy? I’m just starting my weaving journey and I’ve been gifted corduroy. Figuring I’ll cut at 1.5″ strips…but do I need to fold it to keep the pile facing out? Thanks for any help you can provide.

    1. Hi Carla, I have never woven with corduroy. I used a pile-type fabric one time and it caused too much dust fiber in the air for me, so I haven’t done it again. Now, I only use cotton fabric, usually cut in 3/4″ strips, since that is common for Swedish rag rugs.

      Enjoy the weaving journey! You’re going to have a blast.

      Happy weaving,
      Karen

  3. Hi, beautiful work! I’m trying to learn if it’s possible to weave a double binding rag rug with a striped pattern on a 4 shaft loom? Seems to need six. All the best.

    1. Hi Maddie, I have good news for you! You most certainly can weave a double binding rag rug with a striped pattern on a 4-shaft loom! It helps to have 6 treadles to do a true plain weave hem, but not essential. I have done several double binding rag rugs with 4 shafts and 4 treadles.

      Happy weaving,
      Karen

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