Episode 22: Knotted-Pile Weaving
Escape the dreary fall days with visions of brightly painted middle-eastern bazaars. This month we talk about weaving knotted pile rugs. The inspirational Sara Lamb talks about using color in weaving and her latest passion for knotted-pile weaving. We review an instructional video Cut-Pile Rug Weaving with Arlo Duker. In the swatch of the day, I describe learning pile weaving from Judith MacKenzie McCuin. And finally, the ending essay: Weaving fast; weaving slow.
Resources (mentioned during the show)
Resources (mentioned during the show)
- Sara Lamb’s Web site
- Conference of Northern California Handweavers (CNCH)
- Archie Brennan Loom Instructions
- Pacific Yurts
- Victorian Video/Yarn Barn
- Cut-Pile Rug Weaving with Arlo Duker
- Small Looms Yahoo Group
- Schacht 9" mini boat shuttle
- John C. Campbell Folk School
- Jana Trent: Square deal Weave-a-long
- The Techniques of Rug Weaving by Peter Collingwood
Musical Guests
- Afghan Sands by Incidental Fusion
- Christmas Tree Farm by Push Start Wagon
- Re-Gifting for the Holidays by The Alice Project
Sponsor for Episode 22
posted by Syne Mitchell at 1:28 PM
3 Comments:
I'm listening to #19 -"Traditions" wherein you discuss different ways of tying up treadles (ie. walking the treadles, etc).
To the extent you have any influence with teachers who do "round robin" workshops, I suggest you recommend that all looms in a given workshop be tied the same way (which,for 4 shaft looms, will turn out to be a "direct tie-up").
It's MUCH easier for participants who then don't have to deal with figuring out the pattern as well as tie-up for each loom.
Hi Syne;
I recieved the CD yesterday, and stopped everything to listen. Thank you!
It is a fine production, you are doing a great job.
I did not realize I speak so quickly: please tell me you upped the tempo to
fit it all in! I need to try to moderate my speaking, oh dear.
I wanted to pass on my favorite traditional weaving reference, perhaps you
could add a link? Marla Mallett www.marlamallett.com
Both her website and her book (Woven Structures) are some of the best
references for my current favorite traditional weaving techniques. Marla
is a former weaver herself, a rug dealer and author, and an active member of
the rug dealer community (a whole new rabbit hole in the textile world).
Anyway, her book is my favorite reference: not how to weave, but how weavers
have woven. It is written for dealers, to help them define the textiles
they come across, but as weavers, it is a fabulous reminder than there is
more than one way to skin a cat (gasp).
Thanks again,
Sara
I enjoyed the WeaveCast episode on knotted pile and your essay on Slow Weaving. The total design freedom available with tapestry, knotted pile, and inlay make these methods worthwhile.
You are not limited to a grid when using a shaft loom unless it is a two-shaft loom. With four or more shafts, you can weave curves and shapes. You need to have at least three blocks in a structure to weave a curve in that structure. Many of the traditional overshot patterns include curves and circles. I have fun making up my own designs, mainly using curves and organic forms.
Small curves are fine with four shafts but my curves become blocky or pixilated when I want larger scale. Eight or more shafts are nice for smooth curves and more design freedom. Examples are in the Twill Thrills book pp102-105 for 4 shafts and 22-25 for 8.
Best wishes for 2008! Bonnie Inouye
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