Spaced rep rag rugs have a graphic vibrancy that grabs my attention. Like regular rep weave, spaced rep is warp dominant. Unlike regular rep weave, the warp in spaced rep doesn’t completely cover the weft. That’s where rag weaving comes in, because the fabric-strip weft shows between the warps. The rag weft provides just enough color variation to satisfy a rag rug weaver like me.
The pattern for this rug comes from Älskade Trasmattor, by Hallgren and Hallén, p. 87. The threading has dark and light ends that alternate, with four distinct blocks (five, if you count the plain weave block). And thick weft (fabric strips) alternates with thin weft (12/6 cotton rug warp), with four different treadling sequences. All of these factors work together to make the geometric pattern in the rug. It sounds complicated. Truly, though, it is merely a collection of simple systems that all work together. And the possibilities are endless.
You are intricately and wonderfully made. To people who know you, no doubt, you look complicated. Your maker, however, knows your simple systems that all work together. The Lord knows you by name. His plan for you follows a masterful design. In the grand weaver’s hands, the possibilities are endless!
May the pattern of your life set you apart.
Happy Weaving, and welcome back to my studio,
Karen
Love this design. I really enjoy rep weaving but this is something that peaks my interest. Thank you for your blog posts. They are truly inspiring.
Hi Judy, This is not much different from rep weaving. You would probably enjoy it!
Thank you for your sweet encouragement.
Karen
As always Karen, your weaving and words are inspiring. How wide are your rags cut please? Thank you! Bonnie.
Hi Bonnie, I’m so happy you find value here. My fabric strips are cut about 2cm (3/4”) wide.
Thank you,
Karen
i have tried for 3 years to go to monica hallen’s class on this at vavstuga but because she couldn’t leave sweden until this summer. i can no longer drive that distance so i have been trying to figure this out on my own. not being a swedish speaker, could i understand that book if i bought it? also, what is the sett for this warp? i might be able to figure this out by myself.
Hi Ellen, I would also have enjoyed taking a class from Monica Hallèn. I have almost all of her books and have learned a lot through them.
I don’t speak Swedish, either, but I have been able to get a lot from the books. The draft, as you know, is understandable because of its format. There are many weaving terms that are used often, so I can usually figure out those Swedish words. You can also find Swedish-English weaving glossaries. I often use Google to translate, though it will give strange results for weaving terms.
I really like the books, if just for the pictures, which give me loads of ideas and gets me started.
The sett for this warp is 8 ends per cm (about 20 epi).
Happy weaving,
Karen
Really Beautiful Rug, can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s finished. I haven’t dove into Rep weaving yet, maybe in the future. I love the red borders…I keep looking at it, and think Simple but Complicated all at the same time.
Hi Marjorie, Simple complexity? Is that possible?
I’m super glad you like the rug. It’s a real pleasure to weave this, so it brings me joy when someone else enjoys seeing it. For some reason, I often find myself sneaking some red in my rugs. I do like a good border.
Thank you!
Karen
I hope you had a nice July and I’m glad you’re back! Even though we’ve never met, I SO enjoy your blog!
Hi Cindy, It’s good to be back! I truly appreciate you sticking with me for so long. It would be sweet to meet in person some day!
Happy weaving,
Karen
I agree with Cindy, I too so enjoy your blog! I’m encouraged to get some of the Swedish books, especially on the rag rugs. I have one of the Swedish books that has been translated into English and it has a glossary of Swedish/English terms in the back. Yes, in lots of pictures would be a big help (enjoy your pictures).
Hi Linda, My favorite books on my shelf are the Swedish books. They are all a feast for the eyes.
I’m glad you’re here!
Karen
Hi, Karen! I hope you enjoyed the vacation.
I just finished taking a Rep Weave Workshop with Lucienne Coifman at Convergence so I am delighted to see your rug since I can understand the structure. I am planning to start weaving rugs for my home after I weave a few items for our Guild sale. This is very inspirational in so many ways. I love how you connect your work to our Heavenly Father.
Hi Annie, Rep weave is so interesting. I’m sure you learned a lot. This is really the same thing except that the spaced sett allows for seeing the fabric-strip weft.
I’m glad you relate to the connections to our Heavenly Father.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Hi Karen! So much inspiration here! But rep and rugs are two things on my weaving dream list that intimidate me. You’ve definitely eased some of my fear with the philosophy that it’s not so complicated after all, but “merely a collection of simple systems that all work together”. Just like our human condition, our entanglements can be made beautiful and useful when we’re all working together in our daily lives for our common good as our loving Lord intended! Thanks for another wonderful blog.
Hi Mary, I hope this brings you one step closer to your weaving dreams. You can do this!
Your sentiments about how the Lord works through us is beautifully said.
Thank you for your kindness,
Karen
Gorgeous rug! How do you attach your sheepskin to your loom bench?
Hi Jane, Thank you so much for the compliment.
My sheepskin is held together under the bench with texsolv cord. I plan to fix up the sheepskin for my drawloom bench very soon. When I do, I will do a post about it with pictures.
Karen
Karen
I love this rag rug. I just put a warp on the loom to weave a set of rag rug placemats . I just finished weaving 2 sets of repsmatta placemats from Joanne Talloveric Rep Weave and Beyond and was thinking about how I might use the rep weave technique in a rag rug without covering up the fabric I’m going to use (and love).
Thank you for you weaving and spiritual inspiration!
Hi Renee, It sounds like spaced rep may be what you’re looking for. Just know that the even though the fabric does show through the warp, the fabric is not as prominent as it is in other types of rag rugs. I like the subtle variation that fabric weft gives to the graphic patterns of rep weave.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Spaced rep sounds like a perfect solution for me. What sett for a spaced rep wool rag rug using 12/6 seine?
Hi Frani, You can see my reply on the Rag Rug Tips page HERE.
Enjoy your spaced rep weaving!
Karen