I am happy to say that with only four shafts we have exactly what we need for a checkerboard rag rug. Thank you to Megan for asking about it. ”I am searching for a 4-shaft draft for a checkboard pattern. I am limited to only 4 shafts.” Double binding opens up a world of opportunity!
![Checkered rag rug. Karen Isenhower](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Version-2-9-1024x768.jpg)
Let’s talk about blocks. A block is a specific sequence of warp ends or weft picks. Double binding on four shafts has two blocks for the warp and two blocks for the weft.
![](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Double-Binding-Draft-Simplified-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/01-Double-Binding-Rag-Rug-scaled.jpeg)
Have a Block Party!
→ Use graph paper to plan the configuration of your blocks.
For the threading blocks, use two rows of squares. One row is for Block A and one row is for Block B. Each square on the paper represents one threading unit. You can make a checkerboard pattern by uniformly alternating the A blocks and B blocks. Or, you can make a wildly different geometric pattern by varying the size of alternating blocks. Your two-row graph becomes a profile draft to use as your threading key.
![](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Checkerboard-Profile-Draft-1024x768.jpg)
For the weft blocks, use the same arrangement of blocks as for the threading, and turn them vertically for the treadling draft. Or, use your creativity to make a unique configuration of weft blocks. The sky is the limit!
![](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Profile-Threading-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02-Double-Binding-scaled.jpeg)
![](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/03-Following-a-Plan-scaled.jpeg)
Check out these resources for more double-binding rag rug ideas: Alla Tiders Trasmattor, by Monica Hallén and Ann-Kristin Hallgren; Så Fint med Trasmattor, by Monica Hallén and Ann-Kristin Hallgren; Älskade Trasmattor att väva som för, by Monica Hallén and Ann-Kristin Hallgren; Swedish Rag Rugs 35 New Designs, by VävMagasinet; Happy Weaving, from VävMagasinet.
May you discover a world of opportunity.
Happy Weaving,
Karen