Bunting

I went wild and created a bunch of bunting for my friends wedding, they requested that the bunting be creative and reflect the personality of the maker. Since there were no material restrictions I've made pieces using painted canvas, carpet, foam, duct tape, blind fabric, pinweaving and denim. I think I've got the crazy bunting niche covered. Below is a selection of the bunting I've produced. 

"square" Rag Rug

approx. 50 x 40cm

As a change from rag rugging in the round I decided to attempt a square rug. I didn't quite get the tension/stitch ratio right however so the top of the rug is somewhat curved, lesson learnt for next time though...

Rag Rug Basket

I decided to explore some more rag rug/ half-hitch knot applications, so now I'm working on an enormous basket (measures approx. 85cm across) which when completed will be used for storage in my studio.

It began with a hoop (hula hoop to be precise) which forms the base of the basket, I'm now knotting my way around and up to form the tube (what would be the sides if this was a square basket) and then later I'll make a round rug for the base of the basket. At some point I will probably have to add vertical supports (doweling or similar) to the main body of the basket to maintain its shape, especially considering the extreme size will result in more weight.

As with many of my long process projects I will post some progress photos later.

Rag Rug Coaster

Another Rag Rug coaster, this one is made with thicker cream fabric.

Rag Rug Vessels

My most recent rag rug creations

A little storage/trinket pot - perfect for keeping my desk a little tidier

Hanging Bauble - fill it with pot pourri or hang on a christmas tree,
or even weight two and play rag rug conkers! 

A place to rest my coffee mug...

This is my Rag Rug coaster, it sits pride of place on my studio desk...

 I plan to make more, maybe even placemats too.

Rag Rug - the big one

This is the mammoth rag rug I'm working on ( as mentioned - briefly - in the tutorial I made a couple weeks ago on the technique), I have to work on it in dribs and drabs because I want to avoid repetitive strain/ straining my sanity but I do find it relaxing (perfect for doing whilst watching telly). It currently measures at approximately 33 inches - but I'm aiming for about 5 - 6ft
I'll post another photo when its grown significantly so we can watch its progression, but for now wish me luck...

Rag Rug... How to, Part 2

This is the main part of the tutorial, the actual making of rag rugs, for preparatory stages see part 1.

In this section you will often see me refer to the core and lead fabric strips, these are terms i use to describe the two different fabric strips needed to make a rag rug  

The 'core' always runs through the center of the knots, it acts as tension control and strengthens the weave. It is also essential in the starting off stage as the lead is knotted around it to create the first row.

The 'lead' is the fabric that does most of the work, it forms the most visible part of the rug and it is to the lead that the tool is attached. The lead is used to create all the knots.

Basic Half Hitch

Before I go into the details of how to start off the rag rug, I'm going to show you how the half-hitch knots are made during the rug's construction. The half-hitch is the name for the knot used to create the rag rug weave ( it is also used in the creation of friendship bracelet style knot works).

 ( 1 )

 ( 2 )

Throughout the rag rug process you will do this knot, its a repetitive motion (not dis-similar from blanket stitch) that goes as follows:

1 - Pass the ‘lead’ under the ‘core’ and through the next stitch (hole) without pulling it through.

You may find it awkward at first to see where the next stitch is but you should soon be able to pick it out with practice - like I've mentioned in part 1 of this tutorial this technique seems tricky to start with but once you've got your head round it the method will seem really straightforward.    

2 - Start to pull the lead through the stitch but stop before the loop the lead is making gets too small, then put the lead through the loop and pull tight. Ta da! the first of many half-hitch knots.

Starting off:

1 - attach 2 strips together, choose a lead then use the lead to make a “4” shape over the core

2 - pass the lead under the core and through the loop of the “4”, pull it into a knot that is loose enough to fit a finger through

3- again use the lead to make a "4" shape over the core then repeat step 2. For circular rugs make about 3 knots (in total)  and for oval rugs make 4, though this is the amount I use it doesn't matter if you want to add more knots on this first row it will just potentially alter the rug's final shape.

4 - carefully turn the row of knots around so the core /lead are at the top and lie on the left of the knots 

5 - pass the tool/lead under the core and push through the knot you have just made (top one) ,then through the loop and pull tight

6- continue knotting into the next stitch, starting with the one down from the knot you have just made and continuing on round and round - always passing under the core, up through the next stitch and through the loop

-1-

-2-

-3-

-4- 

-5-

-6-

 Expanding:
In order to keep the rug flat expanding stitches are needed, to expand simply knot twice into the same stitch. I find it helps to expand frequently in the first few goes round and less as it gets bigger... if the rug starts to curl up and becomes tight you need an expanding stitch ( this is an intuitive part of the process and depends on the rug, but curling is always a sign that more stitches are needed). However, if the rug starts to have wavy edges and won't lay flat on the ground too many expanding stitches have been added, if this is spotted early you can either stop adding expanding stitches until it flattens out or occasionally miss stitches to decrease the surplus.

3D experiments:
To make basket-like rag rugs you have to play with expansion and tension, start as normal and when the rug is big enough for the base of the "basket" stop expanding and perhaps tug the core a bit tighter, the 'rug' should soon start to curl and will eventually start expanding upwards, you can experiment with different levels of expanding stitches and missing stitches to create a variety of shapes (it literally is an experiment - i don't have any particular rules on how to do this, i simply do and adjust as i see the changes happening). In such experiments I have managed to create a vase shape and a ball so I'd say the shape possibilities are fairly endless. 

Finishing Off:
When the rug is at the size you want you have numerous options-
You could tie the core and lead into a bow or decorative not,
or discreetly tie the two strips (lead/core) to previous stitches to secure them, then cut short and tuck the ends out of sight.
Or even tie a knot in the lead and core before weaving the leftovers back through the stitches like the core.
Regardless of the method the important thing is to secure the ends so they cannot unravel (not that this knot is prone to that anyway) and to finish the product off nicely.

And so that concludes the tutorial, I'll leave you with a couple of examples of my rag rug creations:

Mug Coaster

Small Basket

Small Basket (view 2)

Rag Rugs - How to... Part 1

(please note: I learnt this technique through research therefore I make no claim to be the inventor or even an authority, I'm just an enthusiast) 

I refer to them as rag rugs but they're also known as toothbrush rugs (additionally there are other rag rug  forms and other tutorials available if you hunt them out), its a technique I've been using a lot lately (not least because I'm in the midst of making an 8ft wide one, but I've also done workshops teaching it and I've found it suitable for both children and adults alike.

 There are three especial reasons why I think making rag rugs is awesome:
1 - because its so versatile, you can make basket type containers, coasters and all sorts of interesting fabric things using this technique, as well as great looking rugs (as the name suggests).
2 - once you've got your head round it, the half hitch knot used to create them is so simple you can just sit and do - much like knitting and crochet its great for repetitive creation that feels really satisfying when completed.
And 3 - its sustainable: scraps of fabric, up-cycling, clearing out wardrobes of old clothes ... all that we're really starting to embrace in the creative world applies to this technique.

But enough of my rambling, lets get on with how its actually done...

If you want to print off any of this tutorial for reference do it, 'cos starting off can be a little tricky to get your head round (but when it clicks: look out forgotten t-shirts your days are numbered), plus feel free to question me using comments or email or even better show me some of what you've created using this technique, I'd love to see them.


Before You Start: 


Gather some fabric - colour, texture and type are up to you but personally I find it easier to avoid really stretchy fabrics unless they're being used on there own ( I like to have a real wacky mix so I tend to be wary of anything with more give than jersey)

Cut your fabric into strips, roughly an inch wide and a manageable length (as a rule of thumb I avoid lengths longer than my arm span, it takes less effort to pull through as your working that way), fold the end of each strip back on itself and cut a small slit-like hole - do this at each end of the strips - this is part of the method used to join fabric strips together (see below section on joining)

(TIP - you don't need to cut all the strips at once, especially if your not sure how big you want the finished product to be, its quite alright to cut a few at time as you need them) 

You will also need to make (or purchase) a tool, which will act a bit like a needle. To make mine I cut a piece of thick wire (floristry wire normally) to a length of about  20cm, then bend it to have a big loop at one end and a small loop at the other, with tape (pvc, duct tape etc) around the middle, ensuring the sharp ends are covered. 

 I've seen other rag rug makers use coat hangers or even a sharpened toothbrush with a hole drilled into it to make their tools (hence the term toothbrush rugs) 

Joining Fabric Strips:

Step 1 - push one end of the new strip through the slit (hole) in the strip you want to join on to.

Step 2 - take the bottom end of the strip you just used and push it through the top end (like a snake biting its tail)

Step 3 - pull on the end you’ve just threaded through, the loop should get smaller... 

 keep pulling until its a tight little knot










And thats all it takes to join fabric strips together, you'll need to join fabric strips as each run out.


Attaching to tool:
This is the easiest way to attach your fabric to the tool, which enables you to push through tight stitches, its particularly useful since if you reverse the below steps you can detach the strip without losing the slit in the end - meaning you can add the the next fabric strip with the method above, re-attach to the tool and carry on rag rug making for as long as you like! ( the alternative is to tie lots of knots)

- First put the end of the strip through the large loop of wire

- Next put the small loop through the slit in the fabric strip

- Then pull the short piece (the bit above the slit) down to the bottom of the large loop

To undo gently pull the short piece back up and over the top of the tool.

Coming up in Part 2 - 
Next this tutorial will demonstrate how to start off a rag rug,  carry it on (the half hitch knot) and finish it off. I'll also add tips on expanding, some variations/ experiments to try and pictures of things I've done using this technique...