Quiet Friday: Swedish Rosepath Rag Rug

Karen

My introduction to rosepath rag rugs was on a room-size loom in Joanne Hall’s magical Montana studio. I was so happy at that moment that I actually cried. It’s no surprise, then, that I relish every opportunity to weave a rosepath rag rug. And even better, to share the joy with other handweavers who may not have tried it yet. Look what came in the mail this week! The March/April 2017 issue of Handwoven, with a project by yours truly–Swedish Rosepath Rag Rug!

Swedish Rosepath Rag Rug, as seen in March/April 2017 Handwoven.
Swedish Rosepath Rag Rug, as seen in March/April 2017 Handwoven.

Not everyone loves weaving rag rugs. That’s fine. But if you’re a weaver, there is probably something that draws your interest and brings delight. A certain weave structure, silky fibers, fine threads, complex patterns, bold colors. Something. And if you’re not a weaver, there is something else that triggers your pursued interest. Find that spark that ignites joy in you!

Beginning a rag rug.
Besides using a pre-measured tape, taking a picture at the beginning of the rug, with the yellow tape measure in view, makes it easy to replicate the hem at the end of the rug.
Temple in place, weaving Swedish rosepath rag rug.
Temple is in place, keeping the rugs a consistent width. Metal rug temples are good, but I still prefer a regular wooden Glimåkra temple for weaving rag rugs.
Weaving rosepath rag rugs. Fun!
Many rosepath variations are possible. The rug on the cloth beam uses a similar design, with different colors.
Swedish Rosepath Rag Rug. Karen Isenhower
Making paths of roses. Rosepath.
Swedish Rosepath Rag Rug.
Progress!
Seeing the reverse side of the rosepath rag rug on the loom.
Reverse side of the rug has a subtly different pattern.
Swedish rosepath rag rug on the loom. Rug in March/April 2017 Handwoven.
Cloth beam fills up with rag rugs. Pleasant sight for a rag rug weaver!
Ending the rosepath rag rug on the loom.
Ending the rug on the loom. Following the markings removes guesswork.

Keep a song in your heart. Sing. Sing for joy. Sing praise to the Grand Weaver who put the seed of searching in you. A seed that bursts open with joy when ignited with a spark, and flourishes into something distinguishable. Trust the Lord with all your heart. Your heart will find its melody.

Swedish Rosepath Rag Rug as seen in March/April 2017 Handwoven.
Published in March/April 2017 Handwoven.

May your heart sing a joyful tune.

ATTENTION: The draft for the  Swedish Rosepath Rag Rug from Handwoven is written for a sinking shed loom. Therefore, for a jack loom, you must tie up the “white” empty squares instead of the numbered squares for the pattern to show right side up as you weave.

If you are interested in weaving rag rugs, take a look at Rag Rug Tips, a new tab at the top of the page.

Happy Weaving,
Karen

26 thoughts on “Quiet Friday: Swedish Rosepath Rag Rug”

  2. I’ve just done my first rose path rug and I loved doing it. Used tee shirt yarn from my stash. Yours is gorgeous and I can’t wait to try it. You also have some great suggestions — I love the photo idea for the hem. Much better than my notes.

    Reply

    1. Hi Maggie, Rosepath is so much fun. I’m glad to hear you have enjoyed it, too. Yes, the photo has saved me many times. My memory and my notes are not that great.

      Happy weaving,
      Karen

      Reply

  5. I’ve recently returned home from a trip, then going through several days of mail found my Mar/April issue of Handwoven. I was so excited to see your Rosepath Rug article, and was happily anticipating this blog post. Congratulations! Once again thank you for your weaving & life encouragements. 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi Sandy, Sounds like you have me figured out. 🙂 Isn’t it exciting to get a weaving magazine in a pile of mail? Everything else has to stand still while I flip through the pages. And then, later, I sit down with it and read every page.

      Thank you for your wonderful encouragement to me. It means so much!
      Karen

      Reply

  8. My issue of Handwoven arrived yesterday and I was thrilled to see your article! Beautiful rug and I’m so looking forward to trying this. And checking out your tab of tips – I’ve never woven a rag rug before (I’m a fairly new weaver), though I’ve dreamed about it. I can use all the help I can get!

    Reply

    1. Hi Sandy, You’re in for a treat. Weaving a rag rug is different than other types of weaving. You get to use some muscle! 🙂 Please let me know if you have any questions, or if I can help you in any way.

      Happy weaving,
      Karen

      Reply

  9. Congratulations on the article! Also, the photo reminded me I didn’t thank you after I tried your ribbon-measuring system. It works great and I really appreciated your detailed instructions. Nanette

    Reply

    1. Nanette, I’m happy the measuring ribbon works for you! One of the places I learned about using a ribbon for measuring was at Vavstuga. So many little things can make a big difference.

      Happy Weaving,
      Karen

      Reply

  10. Karen, it was wonderful to see your work recognized in Handwoven! What a well deserved honor! Your work is beautifully striking and so is your testimony to our Lord. May He who is the master weaver continue to bless your endeavors as you continue to serve Him.
    Bonnie Wilker

    Reply

  11. Karen, thanks for submitting your article to Handwoven. I fell in love with your rug when I first saw it and it totally changed my mind about rag rugs. Just finished my first rag rug using your instructions and can’t be happier. Thanks heaps!

    Reply

    1. sewTreefrog, I am thrilled to no end that you had a great experience weaving this rag rug! Thanks so much for letting me know.

      I see on your blog that your rug came out beautifully, with lovely contrast in the colors.

      Happy weaving,
      Karen

      Reply

  12. Hi Karen,
    I found your beautiful rug on the net. I learned how to weave in the mid 80is. I’ve done many crafts interesting years till now, but I’ve always done some rag rugs. I really would like to do a rosepath rag rug, but I just can’t remember how to do it because you need two colours to do a pattern. Is there any way you can give me some tips, I would be most grateful.
    Kind regards
    Ursula Bergen,
    Perth, Western Australia

    Reply

    1. Hi Ursula, I’m pleased to hear of your interest in weaving a rosepath rag rug. I know you will catch on quickly since you have some experience.

      First of all, find a rosepath threading to use in a weaving book or magazine. (You can purchase a downloadable copy of the Handwoven magazine that has my rosepath rug instructions in it. https://shop.longthreadmedia.com/products/handwoven-march-april-2017-digital-edition?variant=29317931565090)

      Weaving rosepath is like weaving overshot. One weft is for the background (ground weft) and one weft is for the pattern (pattern weft). The ground weft is placed in the shed using the plain weave treadles, and the pattern weft is placed in the shed using the pattern treadles. Start with one pick on the ground weft, going right to left, plain weave. Follow that with one pick of pattern weft, going in the same direction, on the first pattern treadle. Alternate ground weft and pattern weft through the rosepath pattern sequence, plain weave treadles 1 & 2, and pattern treadles in their sequence.

      You’ll see some more tips under the “Rag Rug Tips” tab at the top of this website page.

      I hope that helps you get started!
      Happy weaving,
      Karen

      Reply

  13. Hello. I am looking to buy 2 rag rugs and see your site here. Do you sell rugs?
    Would love to hear from you. If you could let me know I would appreciate hearing from you!
    Thanks very much,
    Adele Fleming

    Reply

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