I have tons of wool and wanted to know if I can use wool for the warp in a rag rug? I have used it in wool rag rugs but have never tried it with cotton or polyester filler. Lynn

Comments

Sun, 06/24/2012 - 13:51

mneligh

It could be, but why?  Elasticity?

Wool requires protection from insects and different cleaning procedures.  It's higher-end, but also higher maintenance.  True, it is your most forgiving warp in terms of tension.  Around here, it's also pricier than cotton.  I would save it for a high-end weft, but that's just me.  There's no technical reason it can't be done.

Sun, 06/24/2012 - 16:14

laurafry

Depends on the yarn.  Rug warps need to be tightly spun.  If the wool is lofty and soft it might not make a very good rug warp.  If the wool yarn is all the same quality, you can easily use them together in the same project, either as warp or weft but I'd probably use them as weft because wool is generally most costly than cotton as already mentioned.  Perhaps they would be 'better' as a lap throw/afghan?  

cheers,

Laura

Sun, 06/24/2012 - 16:47

Sara von Tresckow

There is nothing nicer than a wool rug warp - if you are using the right yarn. Old MIll in Michigan has a 4-ply that is tightly spun and works well - I've had a 10 yard warp on my Cranbrook for over a year under tension and no breaks and the resulting rugs are gorgeous.

Brown Sheep makes a single ply Navajo wool warp(overtwisted) for tapestry and Navajo pieces - also indestructable.

Tapetes de Lana in New Mexico makes Churro wool warp in 2 weights in white and natural colors.

I have spun wool rug warp - 2-ply with a hard twist from britch wool and those rugs are now well over 20 years old.

Wool forms to uneven surfaces in a way that other materials do not. Wool gives the rug a feel totally unlike other warp materials. It is not difficult to work with.

That said - "normal" knitting/weaving wool yarns are totally unsuitable for rug warp as they do not have the correct amount of twist and/or are made from sheep breeds unstuitable for the purpose. 

Sun, 06/24/2012 - 18:06

lorjacks3212

Yes, you really want to use a wool yarn that is suited for use as a warp. The Woolery has a very nice yarn on sale now. I bought some myself and am very happy with it.

http://www.woolery.com/store/pc/Wool-Rug-Yarn-2-Ply-Thin-1500-Yards-1-lb-Cone-Weave-or-Knit-p10542.htm