Split Shed Rug Threading
I've chosen to upload a rough draft without reference to a shedding mechanism. The threads either go up, down or stay neutral. The 1st shed and the 3rd shed have two sheds. Which is shown in one of the photos above. You pick up the 3/4 threads with a pickup stick and place your colors. I have chosen to use two colors in the photo provided. The 2nd and 4th are just rough tabby threads. The close up shows how the threads pack in. The tabby thread is barely visible. I am thinking this is related to a tied-Beiderwand structure but I have to look it up...
Just a process note on my bluebonnet rug. I have normally used a wool warp for split shed as you do have take up in a rug and you need the stretch to compensate. In this particular rug I used linen to see how it worked (even though I KNOW linen doesn't stretch). Even though I used some extra sticks in the back of my warp to provide slack in my tabby sheds I still ran out of my slack and the linen is not very forgiving. Hence you can really see the warp. I've posted a closeup of one of my other rugs WITH a wool warp so you can see how the coverage differs....it's all in how you pick your warp and weft for how they pack together (or not!)
Since this rug is for me or will be sold as a spec rug I am not concerned. People will either like it or not. It is still visually pleasing! Once it is off the loom, allowed to relax and steam pressed the weft threads will spread and the warp will sink back into a neutral background.
Bluebonnet Split Shed Rug
Rug finally off the loom a couple of weeks ago and I am starting to finish it. Need to needleweave some of the back in place, braid the fringe and steam press it. Photos soon I HOPE!
Rug for fun done with natural dye from my valley or grown in my garden. Yarn is a 3 ply leicester longwool spun for me by Taos Wool Valley Mill. I spun the sample for the mill and they spun the wool for me!
Yellow - Agarita
Blue - Woad overdyed with Japanese Indigo
Green- Agarita overdyed with Japanese Indigo
I have been working more on the dyepots rather than weaving since I am learning what gives me color here at home and the dyepots are winning out over the looms. Which is ok. Once I focus on the loom I use up my hand dyed yarn fairly quickly. You can check out my blog for more detail and process photos on the dyeing. http://web.me.com/debmcclintock/Site/Deb...
Done with split shed pickup technique with 3 wefts. Please see Jane Evan's excellent webpage that details this technique. janeevans.ca/Techniques.shtml
This is a special rug for me as it is a connection between the Lao design process I have learned over the past 10 years, my traditional way of doing split shed combined with learning the colors of my valley here in our new home after our move. A very satisfying combination!
Tree of Life Muse
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
Frustrations Fly Away
Commission done with natural dye extract. Done with split shed pickup technique with 3 wefts. Each weft was comprised of three fiber, silk and 2 wools dyed to complement each other and the motif. Please see Jane Evan's excellent webpage that details this technique. janeevans.ca/Techniques.shtml
This piece is in a corporate board room in Wilmington Delaware. I worked with the business owner (a woman) to design a piece that could be placed between 2 windows on the wall. It is based on Lao motifs. Central motif is a bird and there is a legend from "Legends in the Weaving" about weavers liking birds because they can fly away. A weaver cannot fly away from the loom or nothing happens. I think this was highly appropriate for a corporate board room! The owner agreed.
