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Rafter-four Designs
Catalog: Part 2-- Rugmaking Tools

LACING NEEDLES 
lacing needleFor all of the rugs made with folded cotton strips (crocheted, bohemian braids, chain braids, knitted, etc.) there will always be tag ends of fabric strip that have to be worked back into the rug at the finish. Lacing needles make the work easy. For cotton braided rugs, the needls can be used with fabric strip to join the braids for a super-strong construction. Lacing needles are also the primary tools needed to make Flat Wrap and Amish Knot rugs, and can be used as "toothbrush" tools for naalbinding and related rugs. Shown is the 6-inch plastic lacing needle threaded with our 1-1/2 inch prefolded rug strip.

6" Steel lacing needle with curved, blunt tip..........$5.50 each.
The eye will take 1-1/2" cotton strip for lacing and the curved tip makes lacing cotton braided rugs much easier than using straight lacing needles. 

6" Plastic lacing needle...............................$.80 each, limit 2 per customer, limited to stock.
We've carried these needles for years and though the needles are plastic, they do stand up to use for quite a long time. The eye is large enough for 1-1/2" fabric strip.

3-3/4" plastic lacing needle..................$.39 each, limit 2 per customer, limited to stock on hand

TRADITIONAL RUG HOOKS ................... $5.00 each
rug hooksThese are the traditional rug hooks with wooden handles.
The shaft size (3.5mm) is suited to relatively primitive hooking with strips up to 1/4 inch.
The tip is blunt enough that they can also be used for poked and prodded rugs. 


locker hooksLOCKER HOOKS FOR "ANCHORED LOOP" RUGS..........$7.50 each
Steel hooks with crochet hook at one end and eye at the other.




5-inch, blunt tipped, SHIRRING NEEDLE .................... $1.95 each
shirring needleFor years we looked for just this needle. It is long enough to shir efficiently (5 inches long), and without the sharp tip which can split warp threads. It is ideal for center and edge shirred rugs, standing wool rugs and even patched rugs.




2 mm AFGHAN HOOK for Crocheted Shirring ............. $4.00 ea.
afghan hookThe hook is a full 10 inches long for the easiest type of crocheted shirring. The end opposite the crochet hook is pointed so that fabric strip can be shirred from that end too. The cap on the pointed end is removable for shirring and put back on to hold the folds in place. These hooks are ideal for your first rug with the wonderful softness of crocheted shirring. (See Chapter 8 in "Traditional Shirred and Standing Wool Rugs", or the "Snow-on-the-Mountain Bulletin.)

2.5 mm AFGHAN HOOK for Crocheted Shirring ............. $4.00 ea.
Slightly heavier than above.


METAL BRAIDING CONES (set of 3)..... $9.00
or Single cone...........$3.50 ea

These are the old fashioned metal cones for folding wool strips when braiding rugs. These "Braidmaster" cones are the same cones illustrated in the "Braidmastery" pamphlet and in the "The Braided Rug Book" by Norma Sturges.
These cones will also work with up to 5 strand braids fairly easily-- more if you work at it.


varifolderVARIFOLDER BRAIDING CONES (set of 3)............$16.00
or Single Varifolder cone....$6.50

By popular request, we are now carrying the larger size of braiding cones of the "Varifolder" type. These folders will take up to two-inch wide strip of the heaviest wool. There is an adjustable gate at the front tip which allows for more control over the folds. These are not as easy for beginners to learn to use, but are preferred by professional rug makers for their versatility.

BRAID LACING TOOL ...................$3.00
These are flat, steel lacers with a curved tip designed just for lacing braided rugs together with linen cord. They look like little skis. These are the lacers that the Braid-Aid company sold for many years under the name "Braidkin."



HANDY HOOK (for Bohemian Braids) Size N, or Q……….. $2.50 ea.

This is a plastic crochet hook, 6-1/2 inches long with a broad handle and curved shank. If you've looked at the Bohemian Braid, you know that one of the traditional tools for making it is a button hook, which is hard to come by these days. This 'Handy Hook' has the same feel as a button hook when working the Bohemian Braid, and is stout enough to last. Also, we're told the design is easier on the hands and wrists if you do a lot of crocheting, and it is also a good size for crocheted and fabric tapestry rugs. Choose Size N to work with light to medium cotton strip. Choose Size Q  if you are a beginner to crocheted rugs or tend to crochet tightly; also to work with heavy cottons and pre-folded wool strip.

STEEL CROCHET HOOK, Size 8 ………………..$2.00 ea.
These quality hooks are just the right size for crocheted faux shirring, and for the 'half-time' crocheted strung shag rugs. Also, use these hooks for the wool stadium blanket or Christmas tree skirt projects. 

RUG PUNCH NEEDLE........... $3.50 ea.
punch needleFor making punched rugs with 3/4" unfolded fabric strip or 1-1/2" prefolded strip of a calico or broadcloth weight, on burlap or monkscloth. This is a fixed needle with a removable depth gauge so that the loops can be made very high for clipping. Also use with bulky yarns. Wooden handle. 

 
 



 BACK TO MAIN CATALOG INDEX LIST
Part 1: Rugmaking Books & Bulletins 
Part 2: Rugmaking Tools 
Part 3: Rugmaking Supplies 
Part 4: Rugmaking Sets 
Part 5: Rugmaking Kits 
Part 6: Bargain page
Part 7: Rugmaking Fabrics 
Copyright Rafter-four Designs

 


ORDERING INFORMATION

All orders should be mailed to:

Rafter-four Designs, P O Box 40, Cocolalla, ID 83813, USA
Or for ordering assistance by email: info@rugmakershomestead.com