Part 1: Rugmaking Books & Bulletins (starts just below)                                 
Part 2: Rugmaking Tools
Part 3: Rugmaking Supplies
Part 4: Kits and Rugmaking Fabrics

The "Rugmaker's Handbook" Series
These are the reference books that so many of you have been asking for. Our master rugmaker, Diana Blake Gray created this series to cover as many of the types and variations of traditional rug making as possible. These books are not "craft books"--instead they are true "handbooks" with a wealth of information for the textile explorer. 

Rugmaker's Handbook No. 4: Traditional Shirred and Standing Wool Rugs

The new edition of Traditional Shirred and Standing Wool Rugs is more than doubled in size from the 1996 edition and not only includes more information about the traditional techniques but also never-before-published techniques and variations. The book's instructions include:
Standing wool rugs, including beaded rugs and milleflore beaded rugs. 
Three varieties of faux shirring are included: sewn, crocheted and awl faux shiring.
Four varieties of center shirring: sewn, Snow-on-the-Mountain, two-hook and the bent hook method.
Edge shirring and mono-shirring, plus two bonus chapters on Postage Stamp rugs and Caterpillar Rugs. The Handbook section has been completely revised to include recycling clothing from t-shirts and jeans to sweaters and socks into fabulous, reversible rugs. Like all of the Handbooks, it is not a "craft" book, but a true handbook for the textile explorer. (Preview the Book)

Rugmaker's Handbook No. 4: Traditional Shirred and Standing Wool Rugs.....$18.95
ISBN 1-931-426-31-7, 6" X 9", paperback, 204 pages, Color cover, black and white interior with over 260 black and white photos and illustrations.

                                        
This classic book has been revised, updated and expanded. It is more than doubled in size from the 1996 edition. Even beginning crocheters can make rugs with the step-by-step instructions since only the chain stitch, single crochet stitch and slip stitch are used. The book includes charted patterns for over 40 rugs. Learn to crochet rugs in round, oval, square, rectangle, heart, corner, and heelprint shapes or follow the directions for creating your own shapes including hollow and freeform rugs.  For the first time, directions are included  to modify the patterns for use with alternate materials including yarns, so it isn't limited to just rag rugs. From basic crocheted rugs, the charted patterns make it easy to transition to marvelous fabric tapestry designs including geometrics, stars, diamonds, quilt patterns and more. The patterns are classified by skill level (beginner, novice, intermediate) and instructions for how to read a fabric tapestry pattern directly from a rug expands rug making horizons. For the folk artist in every rug maker, there are blank charts to use for designing your own patterns and advice about the business of rug making. (Preview the Book)

Rugmaker's Handbook No. 3: Crocheted & Fabric Tapestry Rugs.........$18.95
ISBN 1-931426-29-5, 6" X 9",  Paperback, 212 pages, color cover, B&W interior with over 230 photos and illustrations.

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Rugmaker's Handbook No. 2: Fabulous Rag Rugs from Simple Frames

This long awaited book is the first ever to treat wooden frames as a unique and versatile tool for creating an amazing variety of rugs. Over forty techniques are included, most for the first time in print, including spider-web warps, the cheater's warp and twisted warps. Using simple household materials learn to make fabulous rugs, even freeform rugs, on wooden frames. This book opens a whole new world for the rugmaker!
 
Some of the techniques included are: Knotted shag rugs (including the high-speed knotted shag which cuts rug making time in half); darned rugs, Amish knot rugs; Bess Chet rugs; twined rugs; locker hooking (no canvas needed!); modified taaniko, soumak and rya knots; and various weaving methods suited for frames such as flat weaving, frame braids and wagon wheel rugs.

 Learn to use different types of frames including pegged, flat, high-low, fifth stick, scroll and pinned frames. (Preview the Book)

Rugmaker's Handbook No. 2: Fabulous Rag Rugs from Simple Frames

More than doubled in size from the 1996 edition, this new book covers over 30 techniques for knitting rag rugs, including the really unusual ones that have never been documented before. It has already been called an "amazing compendium" and it is. With 181 pages, 139 b&w photos and over 30 line drawings, it is the first book to completely cover the topic. Beginning knitters can start right in with recycled T-shirts to make rugs and advanced knitters will find new techniques. Even non-knitters can make spool and rake knitted rugs. 

The book covers strip and block rugs, bullseye, coiled and wedge-knitted rugs, winding rugs, hexagonal blocks, heart-shaped rugs, cross-woven rugs, knitted rag baskets and much more. There are lots of interesting stitches, and unique ways to cast on and off--just for rug making. Some of the brand new information in the book includes: rake and spool knitting; "idiot cord" rugs; and four methods of knitting shaggy rugs. 

Preview the book contents and a sample chapter.

Rugmaker's Handbook No. 1:

5-016 Multi-Strand Braids for Flat-Braided Rugs ................ $7.95

When Great-grandmother sat down to start braiding a rug, she didn't just use three strands, she knew that the most beautiful braided rugs were made with wide flat braids of up to twelve strands. And the wider the braid, the quicker the rug goes together. Now you can learn these braids with simplified instructions and easy to follow braiding diagrams.
For the beginner or advanced rug braider who wants to make authentic flat-braided rugs up to 12 strands per braid. Included are standard braids of 3 to 12 strands, which are used for making thick rugs from thinner fabrics; and flat braids of 4 to 12 strands, which are used to make lovely wide braids with patterns and designs right in the braid. Instructions, diagrams and patterns for each braid plus five assembly techniques (including false braid joints and the colonial joint for super strong rugs).

Bulletin #1: FLAT WRAP RUGS & BASKETS ......$4.00

The Flat Wrap is one of the oldest methods of rug construction, developing in ancient times on nearly every continent. It can be used for baskets and rugs which are very heavy and durable, and yet machine washable. Instructions include working with multiple strands to develop patterns and make beautiful baskets from fabric strips. If you want to get started on these rugs right away, be sure to order a lacing needle or two when you order this bulletin.

Bulletin #2: AMISH KNOT RUGS ...............$4.00

Yes, these really are made with a broomstick as the main tool. The rugs appear woven on one side and knotted on the other. The technique is traditionally done with fabric strip for both the 'warp' and the 'fill' strands, but can be made with yarns, or fabric and yarn in combination. Instructions include how to prepare fabric strips and make your own simple 'broomstick' tool from a dowel. Once you understand the basics of this technique, you can make rugs of any size.
 

Bulletin #4: CHAIN BRAID RUGS ............$4.00

If you've ever wanted to make a braided rug, but the thought of having to stop and sew on more strip constantly has discouraged you, try the 2-strand chain braid. It is made with long continuous strips of fabric (wool or cotton), so you can make any size rug. This rug method appears to be the grandmother of several other rug types including toothbrush and swedish and bohemian braids. And it is VERY simple to learn. The chain braid makes a softer and 'spongier' rug than traditional flat braids, and because it is done with only two continuous strands, they are quicker to make than other types of braided rugs. This bulletin covers the 2-strand detached type of chain braid only. (See other bulletins for other types of chain braids.)

Bulletin #6: ANCHORED LOOP RUGS (American Locker Hooking with Rags)...$4.00

This bulletin covers the American Anchored Loop technique for making these wonderful traditional rugs on burlap or rug canvas. Step by step instructions and photos from preparing fabric strip for rugmaking to creating and finishing your own Anchored Loop Rug.

Use either the traditional rug hook and lacing needle for these rugs or a locker hook with rug canvas.

Bulletin #7: BODKIN RUGS ......... $4.00

Learn this "impossible" technique for making superthick, supersoft wool rugs very easily. With a shaggy, reversible texture, there is just no other rug like it. Bodkin rugs can be made on rug canvas or burlap using a bodkin (see tools and supplies ).

Bulletin #8: WRAPPED FALSE BRAIDS FOR RAG RUGS......... $4.00

  Bulletin #9: INTRODUCTION TO TAMBOUR BRAIDS..... $4.00

This is the bulletin to get you started with these fantastic, and easy to make rugs. This is an introduction to tambour braids done on rug canvas and covers the basic two-strand tambour braid (which is the easiest tambour technique and the best place for beginners to start). The tambour edging shown in this bulletin is also very compatible for edging anchored loop rugs.

With some stout string, and tiny scraps of fabric, you can make wonderfully shaggy knotted shag rugs. This bulletin covers two very different ways to make knotted shag rugs. The "two string loom" method is so simple it is ideal for children's rug making projects--and even the "loom" is so simple they can make it themselves. The "frame" method isn't that much harder, and will let the textile artist have a great new medium for design.

Rugmakers Bulletin #11: PJONGING & SINGLE STRAND CHAIN BRAIDS ......... $4.00

This bulletin includes both the attached (Pjonging) and detached, single strand chain braids. Both are very simple constructions. For light cotton fabrics a rug hook or crochet hook is used. With heavier fabrics, such as wool, these can be made using your fingers. The detached braids are made separately and laced together to form the rug. The attached braid makes the rug in a single step.

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These rugs really are interesting because the "braid" is a chain braid made with a hook (rug hook, crochet hook, button hook or what have you), for making the interlocking loops of the chain braid. Made in a single step, each round of "braiding" is made through the previous rounds so the rug goes together in a single step. These unique rugs appear braided on one side only.

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These are the absolute simplest of woven rag rugs to make, since not even a frame is needed-- just a flat surface to work on which is why they were called "kitchen table" rugs. Almost any fabric can be used from light cottons to heavy denim or wool and they go together very quickly.These make a wonderful family project. The bulletin covers each step from fabric preparation, to weaving and finishing your rug.

String Crochet (or "Baling Twine") rugs are a delightfully simple way to get a rug that looks like it was woven on a loom, but you make them with a crochet hook instead. The bulletin covers the techniques for making long runners and for making oval rugs in various fabrics for either light or heavy rugs.

PRIMITIVE RUG HOOKING, AN INTRODUCTION...$4.00

Catalog: Part 2-- Rugmaking Tools LACING NEEDLES  For 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. LOCKER HOOKS FOR "ANCHORED LOOP" RUGS..........$7.50 each Steel hooks with crochet hook at one end and eye at the other. 6.2 inches long, made of heavy stainless steel from England. 5-inch, blunt tipped, SHIRRING NEEDLE .................... $2.25 each For 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 ............. $5.00 ea. The aluminum 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 can be removed 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 Rugmakers Handbook No. 4: Traditional Shirred & Standing Wool Rugs.) 2.5 mm AFGHAN HOOK for Crocheted Shirring ............. $5.00 ea. Slightly heavier than above. HANDY HOOK (for Bohemian Braids) Size N……….. $3.00 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. HANDY HOOK (for Bohemian Braids) Size Q……….. $3.00 ea. 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.

Catalog: Part 3-- Rugmaking Supplies BAROQUE COTTON (Ecru) …………. $4.25 each. For years, this is the cotton we've most recommended for shirred rugs, strung shag rugs, cotton string crochet, and patched rugs with cotton stitching. It is 100% cotton, tightly spun, 4-ply, super-mercerized to stand up to wear, and handles like a dream. The appx 2 oz. skeins have about 400 yards each and are available in ecru only. Baroque Cotton, Ecru.......................$4.25 1-1/2 inch, heavy duty rug binding..........$.50 per yard This is the heavy, abrasion resistant, bias-cut, canvas type rug binding that can be used both indoors and outdoors for many different projects. Use it to bind the edges of hooked, prodded, locker hooked, sewn, punched and needlework rugs (any type of rug using a canvas or fabric base). It can be exposed at the edge or folded to the back.  Because it is a cotton/poly blend it resists fading, even in full sunlight so it can used for trimming outdoor cushions, awnings, tents, etc. It has more body than the twill binding, so it is also ideal for creating plackets for dowels to hang quilts, rugs and fabric wall hangings. Available in burgundy, royal blue, medium green, ecru, blue green, white, navy and pale pinkish peach. (The last three colors are in limited supply.) Compare to similar bindings sold for $1.29 per yard and more. Please specify color preference in instructions during the checkout process, or drop us an email letting us know your choices.

Part 4: Kits and Rugmaking Fabrics
Our prepared rug fabrics are packaged so that it is easy to figure out how much you need for a project. Each package is sized to create one square foot of rug in most techniques. Since we are still getting re-tooled for the new fabric supplies, please allow a week for shipping. (We know everyone likes to do their rugmaking during the winter, but during the last two record-setting winters here, the snow load on the roof of the workshop made it impossible for us to use it. Just in case we have another like that, be aware that we will have to suspend fabric sales if the building is unsafe.)

We know that it is difficult to get true colors on a computer monitor, so if you would like a swatch or sample, just send us a large stamped, self-addressed envelope (two stamps for more than one swatch) to: Rafter-four Designs, Swatch Request, P.O. Box 40, Cocolalla, ID 83813. Enclose a note with the swatch or sample you would like.


200 Pieces of Pre-cut Wool for Beaded Rugs
 (Mixed Colors)........... $12.99

Vintage, heavy blanket wool pre-cut to 3/4" by 3" ---each bag will make about a square foot of beaded rugs. (Use also for shirrred rugs, standing wool rugs, bodkin rugs, prodded rugs, knotted shag rugs and sewn shag rugs). Each bag is measured by weight and will have about 200 pieces of wool. See Handbook No. 4: Traditional Shirred & Standing Wool Rugs for instructions, and order a shirring needle and a skein of Baroque cotton to make your beaded rug. These are mixed colors, patterns and weaves of heavy blanket wool and make a delightful blend in random assembly for your first beaded rug, or sort them by colors for working patterns. The photo at right shows a random sample of our current stocks.  These bags are 20% larger than the ones we sold in 2008 for $16 each!! This versatile wool is a great value for the rug maker!

200 Pieces of Pre-cut Wool for Beaded Rugs in  Solid Colors.........$12.99

The very same  heavy blanket wool as above, but in your choice of solid colors for working patterns and borders on knotted shag (see photo) beaded and shirred rugs. Available in: Ivory, Light Blue, Dark Brown, Red, Dark Green, Tan and Black. Because these are the premium, vintage wool, we are limited to our current stocks. Specify your preferred color in the "instructions" panel as you go through the checkout phase of the shopping cart or drop us an email.

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Pre-cut Wool Strips for
Shirred Rugs ................. $11.99

These are handcut, bias strips 3/4-inch wide of medium to heavy wool shirting. Each bag will make about one square foot of shirred rug, more or less, depending on the shirring technique used. In the heavier weight (not quite coat weight) are the black and white houndstooth for the Snow-on-the-Mountain rug shown and also a dark purple solid wool. (We were sure we were out of the Snow-on-the-Mountain wool, but found a limited supply in organizing the storeroom.) In the medium weight is a bright Christmas Red (solid), Forest Green (solid) and a  small scale  tan and navy plaid which will create a speckled look. Please specify your preference in the "instructions" panel as you go through checkout. We also have some stocks of other colors of shirring wool, but the supplies are too limited to list. Some will be listed on Pinedrops at Etsy, and if you have any particular colors in mind, drop us an email.

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25-yard Skein, Pre-folded Cotton Strip.................$5.99

Yes, it's back! We had to discontinue our prefolded strip when both of our suppliers went out of business last year. We found another resource, but the stocks are limited. This is new, first quality cotton and cotton-blend fabric, pre-cut to 1-1/2 inches wide and double-folded to hide the raw edges. Each skein is about equal to a yard of 45-inch fabric and will make one square foot of most knitted and frame-made rugs. Allow two skeins per square foot for crocheted, Bohemian braid and braided rugs.Current colors in solids: Black, Burgundy, Dark  Green,  Medium Gray, Medium Country Blue (rug photo)
Current colors in prints: Mixed pastels (shown in rug photo),  mixed dark navy/burgundy/forest green/white, black with tan  (animal print), deep royal blue (see photo at right), light gray on dark gray, buttery ivory with scattered print, shades of moss green (photo at left), shades of forest green, ivory with shades of pink/lt. tan, burgundy/gold plaid (photo at far left),  ivory with taupe,  medium blues with yellow/white print. More limited colors will be featured on Pinedrops at Etsy.

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KIT: Best-ever Boot Scraper Rug from your Sewing Machine: 2' X 3'..................$27.95

These simple-to-make rugs are durable, washable and weather resistant. We've tested one outdoors through hot summers and severe winters and it is still the best entry rug we've ever had. The kit comes with a 2' X 3' piece of 10 oz cotton canvas for the base and 150 yards of 2-1/4 inch heavy cotton/poly bias-cut fabric strip. Follow the free directions on the website for the pinch pleat sewn shag rugs. Make single color utility rugs or combine colors in a design of your own. Available in Royal Blue, Green, Blue-Green (which work together beautifully) or Ecru for a more neutral look. Select up to three colors per kit.

150 yard, refill: Heavy Bias Strip......................$21.00

The same fabric as for the boot scraper rug above. Select up to three colors per refill (Royal Blue, Green, Blue-Green and Ecru). Use your own heavy backing fabric for rugs of any size. (Denim and canvas work best.)