Tom Knisely is back with 30 brand-new designs for his favorite type of weaving project: rag rugs!

Rag rugs are made from otherwise “scrap” fabric or repurposed linens or clothing. When planned and woven carefully, your cast-off fabric will become a gorgeous, hard-wearing floor mat! In Rags to Rugs, Tom explores the weaving possibilities of a variety of fabrics, from T-shirts and jeans to quilts, linens, towels, and more. He shows you the techniques he uses to get the most from each piece and gives advice on how best to set up your loom for weaving with rags much thicker than your typical weaving thread.

Ready to get started? First, look at Tom's 30 beautiful rugs and read through each project for the wealth of information he's included on the materials used and options you might try to create a similar rug. He shares exactly what he chose for each project, but the drafts are adaptable to what you have on hand or can source from friends, family, and thrift stores. Once you've gathered and prepared your materials, refer to the section on rug weaving basics for a refresher if needed and some very helpful tips, and you are on your way!

Like most rag rugs, the projects presented are primarily designed for the 4 shaft loom with one rug requiring 8 shafts.

The first section of the book presents the 30 rag rug projects. As in the other Tom Knisely project books (Weaving Rag Rugs, Handwoven Table Linens and Handwoven Baby Blankets), he provides the draft and materials list without providing the warp length and amount of yarn required. This is to allow you to determine the warp length based on your rug preference and to allow you to adjust for multiple rugs on the same warp. He does walk you through the calculations for determining the warp length in another section of the book.

The title suggests that the rug designs are new. This is not the case. What is new, or new again, is the emphasis on weaving rag rugs using found or repurposed materials rather than purchased fabric in more recent rag rug books. Each design is forwarded by an anecdote about the inspiration for the rug. These are classic Tom Knisely – warm and engaging – reminding you why the author is a favorite speaker and instructor.

The final third of the book goes over the basics of weaving rag rugs. There is a lot of useful information presented focused on the special needs of rug weaving. He begins with a discussion of weaving equipment and tools from the different shuttles and temples available to weighting your beater and preventing your loom from walking. This is followed by a description of the various options available to the weaver for warp. You are not limited to 8/4 cotton rug warp! Next up is how to prepare your weft finds for weaving the rug. The book wouldn’t be complete without a section on how to wind your warp and dress the loom, though Tom Knisely does say this a condensed version and refers you to his first rag rug book for more details.

This book is worth picking up to read the anecdotes before each project. They will provide inspiration for a new look at the textiles in everyday life. You may even look forward to cleaning out your linen or clothes closet. Give a stained heirloom a new purpose and recall happy memories whenever you walk on it.