Hearth Rug - Knotted Pile
This rug is an extension of my exploration of pile weaving techniques. Following up on a small "ruglet" this piece is large enough to fit perfectly in front of the new high efficiency fireplace insert as a hearth rug.
The design is a composite of motifs selected from Layatif Kerimov's "Folk Designs from the Caucasus" - there are 3 concentric borders surrounding a double flower in the center. Around the flowers are several other small figures.
There are 4 colors - white, black, natural gray Jacob handspun, natural beige Shetland handspun.
This piece was worked with a complete set of hand forged tools from the Middle East acquired from Oriental Carpet dealers.
Shearing is nearly comlete, but some rough patches still exist on the surface. This process can take several days and is done in small increments.
The next project is using finer pile yarns and will be the face of a large, bright colored tote bag.
Knotted Pile Ruglet
I've been the US distributor for Noreen Roberts' little book "How to Make an Oriental Carpet" since it was published in 2004. I've also been thinking seriously of giving knotted pile a try - at least for a doormat sized rug.
Over the summer, I've been working on some weft pile techniques using some white commercial and a lovely grey Jacob fleece - mixed with some Black Welsh Mountain for an accent. First came corderoy, then rya - and then this piece in more or less traditional knotting technique. By using the same "black and white" coloration, I can now study the results and how various pattern types display in each technique. The piece is 140 rows by 130 knots or approximately 18.000 knots!
Lacking proper tools and a vertical loom, I used a far too lightweight beater and made the knots by hand without a hook knife. What was lacking in beater weight, was made up with more powerful beating.
In the meantime, I have the hook knife, pile shears and a heavy metal beater on order for the next piece.
This is a fascinating technique - pattern is made with any graphing program - such as Stitch Painter - and the piece is woven according to the cartoon. The most common loom for this type of work is a sturdy vertical loom without shafts - simply a heddle bar and some sticks. Vertical looms give the opportunity to beat harder - and it is important to beat very firmly to have thick pile and a dense weave.
Knotted pile is NOT a loom controlled weave, but one controlled by the weaver and the weaver's imagination. If the pattern develops incorrectly, changes can be made as the piece progresses to ensure that it will be attractive when finished.
This was a lot of fun and I'll certainly be making more in the future.
The "draft" is something that I put together point for point - it is not intended for straight copying - just to show how such a design is charted.
