Valley Yarns #70 Weftovers Rug

Valley Yarns Weftovers Rug

Project Overview

The Valley Yarns Weftovers Rug is a handwoven homeware project designed by Barbara Elkins that transforms accumulated partial cones of cotton yarn into a functional kitchen rug. This downloadable weaving pattern is ideal for fiber artists looking to use up yarn scraps while creating a durable, striped floor covering. The finished rug measures 26 inches by 38 inches plus visible hems and is suitable for placement in high-traffic areas such as in front of a kitchen sink.

Weaving Techniques

This project employs several traditional weaving techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance and durability. The primary technique is plain weave, which creates a balanced, sturdy fabric structure. The rug also incorporates an old Shaker technique where the weft is twisted before being beaten into the warp. This twisting method involves throwing the shuttle across the warp width, then twisting the weft end on the opposite side of the shuttle entry several times before beating. This creates varied color aspects on the surface, mimicking the visual effect of traditional rag rugs while using multiple ends of different-colored cotton yarns.

The pattern uses a striped design created through a carefully planned warping chart that alternates between four distinct colors: black, cardinal red, smokey blue, and forest green. The stripes are formed by the warp color arrangement rather than changes in weft color, allowing the weft to showcase multiple yarn colors and weights throughout the weaving process.

Stitches and Threading

The threading pattern for this rug is straightforward and suitable for four-shaft looms. The pattern uses a straight draw threading sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4, which repeats across the warp width. The first and last ends are doubled, with each being threaded into two separate heddles on the same shaft to create stable selvages. This approach eliminates the need for a floating selvage, simplifying the setup process.

The treadling sequence follows basic plain weave: shafts 1 and 3 are pressed together for one pass, then shafts 2 and 4 are pressed together for the next pass. This alternating pattern continues throughout the weaving, creating the balanced plain weave foundation.

Materials and Equipment

Warp: The warp is made from Maysville 8/4 cotton carpet warp in four colors. One tube each of #2 black, #23 cardinal, #6 smokey blue, and #12 forest green provides enough warp for two rugs, with extra length remaining for a small mat. The total warp length is 5 yards, set at 12 ends per inch (epi) in a reed width of 26.5 inches, resulting in 318 total warp ends.

Weft: The weft is composed of 15 to 20 ends of various cotton yarns wound together to create a thick, textured weft. These yarns include mercerized cotton in sizes 3/2, 5/2, and 10/2, unmercerized 8/2 cotton, and 8/4 carpet warp. The beauty of this design is its flexibility—as individual cones empty during weaving, they can be replaced with any other available yarn without affecting the finished appearance. The varied yarn weights and colors create visual interest and texture on the rug surface.

Equipment Required: This pattern is designed for a four-shaft loom with a minimum weaving width of 30 inches. Additional equipment includes one ski shuttle, one boat shuttle with bobbin, and optionally a temple to help maintain consistent width during weaving. The temple is helpful but not essential for completing the project successfully.

Design Characteristics

The striped color arrangement creates visual interest while the twisted weft technique adds texture and depth. The use of multiple yarn weights and colors in the weft, combined with the Shaker twisting method, produces a rug with complex surface variation despite the simple plain weave structure. This makes the Weftovers Rug an excellent project for using up yarn stash while creating a practical, visually appealing floor covering suitable for kitchen or entryway use.