The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Bionic on December 23, 2012, 07:13:04 am
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I think (hope) that OH has got me a peg loom for christmas.
Yesterday afternoon there was a woman on tv making a peg loom rug. She just pulls lumps from the raw fleece, twiddles them round a bit and then winds them in and out of the pegs to make a rug. It looked fairly simple and I am sure I can manage that but what about washing?
If you want to see for yourself this is the iplayer link and its about 16.5 minutes through the programme.
https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/holiday-home-sweet-home/series-1/episode-20-3 (https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/holiday-home-sweet-home/series-1/episode-20-3)
I can't imagine that you can wash the rug easily once made so although she said its just as it came off the sheep do you think she washed the whole fleece beforehand?
Sally
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Sally, I read about making rugs this way after I had discarded what I thought 12 totally unusable cotted Heb fleeces. ::) According to Ravellers, you can do it with strips cut from the cotted mass, or from rovings which you may or may not have felted slightly or quite a lot, or from semi-rovings made by twisting chunks of fleece, just as you describe. So now I know what I can do with those 12 fleeces if I get given them again this year - please document your projects for us! ;D
As to washing... I can't see why you couldn't wash the whole rug just as you would a fleece, provided you have equipment large enough to do so, including drying space. I wash chunks at a time in a small washing-up bowl, can't do a whole fleece at once, would have to buy some bigger baskets - or not mind a bit of felting, which I guess with a rug you wouldn't in fact mind.
But if she didn't mention it in the video then I imagine she'd washed the fleece before she started. I guess you can do it either way.
Anyway, :fc: you get what you wanted and have lots of adventures for us to share vicariously! :excited:
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I don't think you would need to wash the fleece beforehand, unless it was very mucky. It's easy enough to wash the rug afterwards, rolled up in the bath. I don't have a bath ( ;D ) but I have an old dairy tin bath thing with a drain hole which I use for big woolly washes. Just soak the rug for half an hour, then wash it gently, rolling and unrolling as you go. Rinse and lay out to dry - mesh balanced on something (I use the topper) will keep it flat. When nearly dry bring it indoors to air.
A bit of felting when you wash the finished rug would actually help it keep together and increase its strength.
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Admittedly it is over 20 years since I made a few ....The first I made was with unwashed wool and was such a heavy sod when I did come to wash it after weaving that I regretted not washing the fleece first...basically having condensed the wool it becomes tightly packed and really makes getting it thoroughly clean difficult. with more difficult to clean you are going to retain a lot more lanolin and sheepy scent.
For me personally washing the fleece and then fulling the rug, post weaving just worked best for indoor rugs.
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I have been told to use raw fleece then wash the rug after it has been made as well. I have not got round to peg looming yet but I also like the idea of peg looming strips of carrier bag to make welly mats.
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Hermit,
The welly mats sound a good idea. I might try that first.
thanks
Sally
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I have a very small peg loom, had it for 18 months, but not got round to using it yet. My son has just bought a pillar drill and is going to make me a bigger one so that I can have a go at making rugs.
Let us know how you get on Bionic. :excited:
Make rag rugs at the moment but they take me a long time ..... only really find time to sit down once the children are in bed and that's getting later and later as they get older. ::) Need to change my routine and make more craft time.
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Peg loomed rugs are very easy and quick to do :thumbsup: . You'll be surprised just how quickly you can make one and they are sooo hard wearing and lovely to walk on.
Fingers Crossed 'Santa' got the message :innocent: :excited:
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If you plan to do your weaving in the house I would wash the fleece beforehand... otherwise that sheepy smell may just linger quite a bit... (but I really don't like to work with unwashed fleece, so maybe I am just oversensitive :-[ ).
I think I may just need to put a peg loom onto OH's to-manufacture-list, given that I didn't manage to shear my Gotland girls this autumn.... ??? and we always need rugs!
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I've just done one recently. I washed the rug in the bath after weaving which was fine but it was very heavy. To dry it I put it in the spin only cycle in the washing machine inside a lingerie bag then hung it on a clothes horse.
This link has pics and details www.hootershall.co.uk/category/blogspots/peg-loom (http://www.hootershall.co.uk/category/blogspots/peg-loom)
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When I was weaving, one of my best sellers was the rugs I made from unspun, unwashed wool. I used a drum carder to make rolags then tore strips of the side and wove it onto a cotton warp, much as you would do on a peg loom. They weren't huge, around 3 foot by 5 foot and were easy enougn to wash in a large bowl. They then went into to washing machine for a short spin and were line dried.
I think I want a peg loom.
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Cue ellisr - her hubby makes them...
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Oh I know. I'd already thought of her.
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I got my peg loom although was slightly disappointed that OH didn't make it himself as promised.
Still, its very nice and comes in its own bag.
Now that we are back home (were at my sisters for christmas) today is the day for 'playing' with out toys.
Can' t wait :excited: :excited:
Sally
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Great :thumbsup: Impatiently awaiting pictures of results... :excited:
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Yes, hurry up Sally. Haven't you made anything on it yet? ;D
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I've got as far as putting the string through the pegs ;D
Sally
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That's good start. Now get weaving. ;D
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Another recycling tip for a pegloom is to tear old towels into strips and weave them to make absorbant mats .
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Another recycling tip for a pegloom is to tear old towels into strips and weave them to make absorbant mats .
What a brilliant :idea: ! Or sheets... or bath towels...
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Another recycling tip for a pegloom is to tear old towels into strips and weave them to make absorbant mats .
Again when ex and I had our spinning and weaving workshop, my youngest had finally given up wearing nappies (the towelling type) so I gave them all a good wash and used them to make a rug. I had a young woman in the workshop who was looking for something for her OH to buy for her birthday. she picked up this rug and I told her what it was, then she looked at other things. When her OH came in, she said, "I've chosen what I want. This. And guess what it's made from." Yes, it was the recycled nappy rug.
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I get the ideas from Utube, I love the idea of using a pegloom for recycling.
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I've also saved all the orange net sacks that pony carrots come in. I reckon I can make a doormat with them if I cut them into strips.
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Ive got a set of six (or maybe 8) needles that work like a peg loom (I think) but you can do it easioly sitting with it on your knee, Think I may try a rug. Have done a scalf with them with the kids many moons ago (sewed the strips of woven fabric together to make the desired width)
Question do you normally use a cotton thread in the needles/pegs? ie the warp/weft (i cant remember which way round it is.....Im sure thaere is an easy way to remember, but I forgotten it!)
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I've seen those but not tried them. To remember which is warp and which is weft, I always taught 'The warp comes towards you and the weft goes from the left.
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You warp up a loom (wefting it up wouldn't sound right) ie stringing it, and weft must be an old past tense of to weave, so the bits you weave across are weft :knit: Works for me 8)
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I remember one now too
Keep warp taut (tight)
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My OH just mentioned that a sailing ship is warped into dock, by pulling it sideways with lots of ropes, which must have looked like the warp on a loom.
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I've decided that my pegloom is too long (I think it's about a metre) and unwieldy, so I'm going to cut it into two pieces, one a third of the length and the other two thirds. Too late if I change my mind afterwards ;D
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I think peg looms are fantastically simple and absorbing. I am currently making a rug with my gotland fleece which i washed and carded. I made a rug from old t shirts hivh worked really well.
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Well I am halfway through the rug with unwashed fleece and to be honest I now wish I had washed and carded it first. I intend to wash it once I have finished but as this first attempt was only for the dog I don't suppose he is that fussy.
I have loads and loads of old t-shirts so might try that next.
Sally
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Well I am halfway through the rug with unwashed fleece and to be honest I now wish I had washed and carded it first. I intend to wash it once I have finished but as this first attempt was only for the dog I don't suppose he is that fussy.
I have loads and loads of old t-shirts so might try that next.
Sally
I would have carded it first but not washes it - like the idea of the free handcream. ;)
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Would love to see your finished results Sally! I've only got as far as washing my (GFD) fleeces and looking at my peg loom so far. I'm taking my fleeces to my local craft group now I have time on Mondays and will earn how to card them, then weave the rovings. What are people using as warp thread? Can you use ordinary string, or do you need to use something specialised, i.e. wool-based to 'match' the elasticity that you have in your weft?
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Blackbird, I will take a pic when its finished. I am using just ordinary string for the warp thread. The holes it needs to go through are small though so the string needs to be fairly fine.
I would be interested to know what others are using though.
Sally
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I always used warping cotton. There are a few suppliers around if you google it.
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I've seen Ravellers talk about using 'mop cotton', being the cotton that's used in mop heads.
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I finished the first mat yesterday, washed it well and put some conditioner on it to get rid of the sheepy smell.
The dog is very impressed with his new present and is sleeping on it as I type.
The next one is going to be bigger and I will be making it from fleece that has been washed and carded so I expect to get a more even finish.
Sally
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That's lovely, Sally. Very similar to the ones I used to make which were one of our best sellers. Well done.
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That looks really tactile - makes me want to stroke it ;D
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Lovely Sally .. :thumbsup:
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Fantastic :thumbsup: I definitely want to have a go at that...
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Lovely texture there - makes me want to have a go - will get on with ordering the warping thread.....
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Well as this thread inspired me all those months ago I decided to revive it.
Confronted with xmas looming, unemployment, at least 6 fleeces in my spare room and little time I decided to buy a peg loom and give it a go with raw fleece.
Set the peg loom up tonight and set out to make a 1m long rug. Ended up with a rug 45x70cm after I squished it down and tied the ends off. Feeling very accomplished. But I have no idea how to wash it or what to do with the ends I tied off. Not enough string for tassels, and the colour isn't very attractive (was a freebie with the loom).
Suggestions?
Dans
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Hi Dans :wave: :wave:
Do you mean you wove it in one evening? I'm impressed :notworthy:
Could you wash it in the bath? Let it soak for half an hour then roll it to remove the water. Stick it end-on in a bucket to get it outside without dripping then lay it flat to dry. Once it's stopped dripping you can finish off drying it indoors.
Do you have any pics? We'll forgive the bad colour :D
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I've never tried washing mine yet but the small one that dog sits on is well overdue for a wash ;D
I'm worried it will fall to bits
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Hehe, yep set up the peg loom and finished the rug in an evening. I did make the hubby stay up until 2am because I wasn't going to bed until it was done. He said I spent about 5 or 6 hours on it.
Yep have a bath, will have a go at washing it same as a fleece then. I would put off washing it but one of my cats is determined to eat it as it is and I need to know they will hold after a wash before I make more for pressies. Fairly terrified it will fall to pieces, hoping a little felting will help me :fc:
I don't seem to have enough concentration for following a pattern or spinning at the moment, but this I think I may be able to do.
Will have a go at a picture.
Dans
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Old camera phone photo so very little detail.
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It looks a lovely colour :thumbsup:
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That was pre-wash. First wash water was filthy. Did a second and it is now on its rinse. A few bits of new growth have come away but no staples at all :fc:. Water still pretty filthy during this rinse so may need another wash but that will teach me to dump the fleece out of the bag and start weaving without skirting! :-J
Dans
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Water still pretty filthy during this rinse so may need another wash but that will teach me to dump the fleece out of the bag and start weaving without skirting! :-J
Dans
You sound like me ;D
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I think it looks really nice Dans :thumbsup: Being able to see the fleece structure in there is lovely - in fact it makes me want to take it to bits and spin it :spin: :knit: ;D
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Finally finished washing it. 3 times with ecover, rinsed three times. Still got some mucky ends but might need to trim those. Will definately go over the fleece carefully to remove mucky bits before I start next time!
I have to say FW I had thought that if it all goes wrong I could take it apart again, but hopefully I've felted it a little now!
If you do wash the fleece beforehand, do you need to wash it in one piece? When I was weaving this rug I ended up weaving from the fleece without breaking it, so didn't need to make new joins.
Will see how this one dries, then go ahead with the others. Highly recommend to people! Quick and fun and looks good.
Dans ;D ;D ;D
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I've made lots of these over the years, my daughter has most of them now. If you use a fairly coarse fleece like blackface or herdwick the rugs are machine washable because they're not so inclined to felt. Washing them in a machine on the wool cycle is just right for stabilising the weave by felting any softer fibres just enough without shrinking the rug. after that you can wash it the same way periodically. It doesn't work if you use a finer wool though, you'll shrink the rug and possibly create holes in the weave. I always scour the wool before starting though as dirt woven in is much harder to get out. I've also tried drum carded wool torn into strips, it gives a neater finish but probably isn't worth the extra work involved really, although it was a nice way to weave colour into the rugs.
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Might try this one on the wool wash in the machine. Don't think I have any particularly fine fleeces.
Smart arse husband wants to know why you have to double the warp threads. Is it just for strength or can you just tie a knot in the end once you have threaded it through?
Dans
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I like to knot the ends together in pairs to finish the rugs. I think the double threads are a good idea for strength but also as they aren't going to slip out of the pegs as you weave.
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I wish I hadn't read this now. I bought a peg loom at Wonderwool and haven't used it. Now I want to and I don't think I have time as I am busy making needle-felted brooches and weaving scarves to do a craft party next month.
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We need to petition the powers that be for a longer day girls :eyelashes:
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;D My days are pretty long in that I don't have to go out to work but I am limited to how much I can do physically as I need to rest frequently. On the other hand, I can use the peg loom while sitting down so that counts as resting.
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I make peg loom rugs and had some samples at the smallholders that were much admired and some folk went off to make there own.My first rugs were made from washed and carded fleece and then torn into strips and weaved,this gives a neat lokking rug when finished.You can also use washed fleece and just weave it in and out without carding this gives a rougher appearance resembling a sheepskin rug look and is a lot less time consuming as you havnt had to card the wool.I hve alos used matted wool that wasn't much good for anything but didn't give as good a result.You can aso use torn rags or plastic bags the worlds your oyster.Great fun and easy to do.The most time consuming bit is measuring and threading and setting up the pegs to start.It grows quick,Make sure to use a strong enough warp thread to be able to withstand the weave as you don't ant it to break,which it can as it get bigger.Ive always washed the wool 1st but ,could wash on a wool wash after wards.Aso read someone uses raw unwashed fleeces for making camping mays for sleeping on ,comfy and waterproof maybe a bit smeely ,then composts them at the end of season.Good luck the problem is time which seems to be never enough to make all these projects
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I made a couple of plastic bag rugs once to use up my daughters collection of carrier bags - wasteful child - and then gave one back to her. She said it was absolutely lethal underfoot but great fun watching the dog come bounding in from the garden and skidding across the carpet as it landed on the rug :roflanim: I rolled mine up and it made a great kneeling mat for gardening, like fat bubble wrap to kneel on ;D
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I have a knitting pattern for making a bag out of carriers.
What I do wonder with peg looms is, how do you stop the weft from falling off the warp threads when it gets to the bottom? Or do you knot them in some one before you start weaving?
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I didn't knot mine until I had finished but I never pushed it right down to the end anyway.
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I knot my warp threads together in groups of three when I start. Started on my second rug last night, this time with skirted fleece and VM picked out :-J. Going much better.
Dans
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I've made a couple of fleece peg loom rugs , it's a great way of using up all the odds and ends of rougher fleece or that scratchy one that someone gave you for free and you don't really feel like spinning. I do always wash it first, even just good soak in cold water gets rid of a heck of a lot of dirt and grot. It's best in my experience to leave a bit of the lanolin in to help hold the staples together as you tease and twist them out a bit. I did try one using very roughly spun thick singles but it looked much the same at the end so not worth the extra effort. If you leave a little lanolin in the fibre then it makes the rug a little more dirt resistant, especially to spills. I only wash the rugs after a year or so, by that time the cats have needle felted them together a bit and there's no chance of the mat coming apart.
Little fleece make great seat cushions btw, I have one for my camping chair. (No lanolin left in that one, I don't want a greasy bum!) And I made a long seat cushion for each of my garden benches out of long rag strips torn from charity shop quilt covers, they look nice and fresh.
The usual knotting technique is to knot the first three threads together at the bottom, then in pairs across the width, then the last three. That knots one thread from each adjacent pair together and stops the weft slipping off the bottom if you pack hard down, this is more important for slippy cotton weft than fleece though. Fleece grips, especially if you use a wool warp.
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Brilliant Isabella - I've been wanting to have a go at one of these for a while, now I feel I have enough info to have go!
That's the Christmas list sorted then... :D