Valley Yarns #224 Mod Squares Reversible Rug

Valley Yarns Mod Squares Reversible Rug

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Mod Squares Reversible Rug is a handwoven homeware textile designed by Hartford Artisans Weaving Center. This reversible rug features a modern aesthetic with a finished size of approximately 23" x 36", making it a functional yet decorative piece suitable for various interior spaces. The reversible construction means both sides of the rug display attractive woven patterns, maximizing the design's visual impact.

Weaving Technique and Structure

This project uses Taqueté, a weft-face two tie unit weave structure. Taqueté is a versatile weaving technique that creates textured, patterned surfaces through the strategic interlocking of warp and weft threads. The weft-face construction means the weft yarns are predominant in the finished fabric, creating a dense, durable surface ideal for rug weaving. The pattern is created through a combination of color changes and the weave structure itself, allowing weavers to improvise and create variations at the loom.

Equipment Requirements

This pattern is designed for a 4-shaft floor loom with a minimum weaving width of 24 inches. The draft includes multiple tie-up options to accommodate different loom configurations: instructions are provided for both a 4-shaft, 6-treadle loom using a skeleton tie-up, as well as a 10-treadle tie-up for weavers using an 8-shaft loom for easier treadling. Additional equipment includes 3 rug shuttles and a temple to maintain consistent weaving width.

Stitches and Weaving Details

The rug is woven using a systematic approach to warp and weft integration:

• Warp Setup: A 3-yard warp of 121 ends is wound and dressed on the loom. The warp is set at 5 ends per inch (epi) using a 10-dent reed with special sleying instructions. The warp width in the reed is 24 inches.
• Winding Technique: The linen warp is wound in two or three chains to maintain even tension. Linen threads are wound together in pairs to minimize twisting, and tubes are kept parallel to the floor during winding for optimal results.
• Finishing Details: The rug is finished with twining on either end using linen yarn, which adds durability and a professional edge to the completed piece.

Materials: Yarns and Fibers

Warp Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/5 Linen in Natural is used for the warp. This 100% linen yarn provides a strong, stable foundation for the rug. Approximately 363 yards of linen is required for the warp, with an additional 7 yards of linen used for twining on either end.

Weft Yarn: The weft is primarily composed of Valley Yarns Collingwood Rug Wool, a blend of 80% wool and 20% nylon that offers both softness and durability. The color palette includes Navy (1530 yards), Moss (1440 yards), and Natural (580 yards). This means two cones each of the Navy and Moss colorways are required to complete the project. A small amount of Valley Yarns 8/5 Linen (approximately 7 yards in Natural) is also used for twining.

The combination of linen warp and wool-blend weft creates a soft yet durable rug suitable for regular use. The fiber content ensures the finished textile will be resilient and long-lasting while maintaining the aesthetic qualities of a handwoven piece.

Design Possibilities

The Taqueté structure and color options in this pattern allow for creative improvisation at the loom. Weavers can experiment with color placement and pattern variations while maintaining the fundamental weave structure, making each rug a unique creation.