Dropped in 4 shafts and used spit shed technique (form of pick up) This is a rug I just completed. It is mohair, mill spun from my customers mohair goats. The yellow is dyed with mesquite. The mesquite chips were soaked in alcohol to extract the color. My blog on dyeing is here. I confess that I need to catch up on some of the other color runs I have completed!
The rug is done in the split shed method. A method taught and used by Jane Evans. Here is her web page with her publications listed about split shed...janeevans.ca/Publications.shtml
I love using split shed, you have to allow for the warp peaking thru a bit but if you allow for it to participate with a color fit, it doesn't matter. I reference my cobra finish here.
I also keep myself to a triad of colors. It would be easier with 2 colors and the rug would be reversible but I find that 3 colors make it more interesting for me to weave it.
and here is an update, the client just receive the rug and is very happy, they will send me photos of the rug mounted over the fireplace on an iron rod....yahooo
Wow, it looks three dimensional. Is this your design or your customer's?. Could you share the idea behid the design? Does it have a special significance to your customer? Will it be a wall hanging or a rug. I am guesing wall hanging as it has fringe on only one end. How did you finish the fringeless end? Is it for a home or workspace?
Hi Laverne, sorry for delay in response, I was out all day. The design is definitely based on Frank Lloyd Wright's Tree of Life pattern. The wife is a mosaic tile artist and loves Frank Lloyd Wright design work. I simplified it to fit 3 colors with the shuttle rotation and the weave structure.
The rug will hang on a limestone wall over a fireplace. I put the black all around the edge so it would stand out from the limestone wall. The rug is special to my customer because it is made with their mohair fiber from their goats and their mesquite shavings from their kitchen renovation. The rug does have a three dimensional appearance to it because of the yarns, both texture and color. The black was a slick yarn from a mature goat. The white was puffier. The yellow was the white that was dyed with the mesquite. Since that went thru the dye bath and was rinsed the yellow had quite a different hand than the other two which were used straight from the mill, no washing other than the prep for spinning. It worked out well to give a nice appearance. Even though I did steam press it to set the surface you can still see the visual difference of the yarns.
The hemmed end will be at the top and the fringe will hang down. My customer plans to make some type of wooden hanger for the rug. His call, not mine. If it had been left to me I would have fringed both ends and put a stick thru the fringe units. I checked and I did not take a photo of the top hem. I mailed it off today so I cannot snap a photo. It was plain tabby that was simply turned twice and hemmed by hand. Since it is linen it blended well with the colors and just provides a neutral contrast to the other natural colors. Of course I used a steam press to turn the hem before I stitched it.
take care, your blog is always fun to read!
OMG!
I was in the NYC flagstip store of Stickley Furniture yesterday, and this would have been *spectacular* in their showroom!
Really, really beautiful! I'm very intrigued by the split-shed technique. I read how it would work on a countermarche loom. Hmmmmmm.
As a FLWright admirer... I love how you've adapted his Tree of Life design. Your clients were lucky to find such a fine artisan to not only weave this beautiful rug, but to spin the yarn as well! BRAVO!!
Beautiful!
Deb what a stunning project! The instant i saw the Little thumbnail fo the phots i thought' That looks like FLW!" Your client must be thrilled.
Thanks for the good explanation and process photos. It is great to get a glimpse of your thought processes and planning method.
wow!
Thanks for posting these photos......lovely peice of weaving, which I think, really enhances the (fabulous) stone fireplace!
Beth
