Monday, May 12, 2014

Hot off the Press: 'Weaving Rag Rugs' and a Giveaway!



It's been a while since I've had a post at The Country Farm Home about Rag Rugs. . . .Most of my tips and up-dates are now at Our Old Country Store. . . .but, I believe Tom Knisely's new book, WEAVING RAG RUGS, is worth posting on both blogs--and Facebook, too!

Heather Gooch contacted me several weeks ago and asked if I would review Tom's book as a part of their blog tour, which I was more than happy to do. . .She promptly mailed me a copy and have I ever enjoyed it! . . .It's a fun book. . . .chock full of illustrations and how-to's. . . .easy to read and the right mix of beautiful color photos and detailed instructions.
 
Weaving Rag Rugs by Tom Knisely,http://www.amazon.com/dp/0811712125/ref=cm_sw_r_pi_dp_lH5atb03WCZ53ZRC

from Publishers Weekly:
When the author of an instructional book on weaving has taught weaving for 30 years, readers can trust they're in good hands. That's surely the case with this, the first book by the author, full of surprisingly diverse and consistently attractive designs for rag rug weaving. The craft isn't a simple one, and this book doesn't shy away from making it clear that a full-sized loom is needed. Copious photographs show how to prepare the loom, a painstaking process, as well as how to choose and prepare the warp and weft. The fun begins in the second half of the book, when Knisley shows how simple fabric choices can lead to stunning rugs, such as a Rainbow-Striped Rug, the autumnally toned Spice Market rug, and a set of three rugs made from t-shirts in pleasing pastel gradations. This book is surely for a very specific market of determined crafters, and it does a wonderful job of teaching them. Weaving diagrams and full-color photos.



BarnesAndNoble and Amazon:
Every weaver weaves a rag rug--or two, or three. In this long-awaited book, well-known weaver and teacher Tom Knisely shares his knowledge and expertise in this collection of favorite rag rug patterns.
  • The first comprehensive book on weaving rag rugs in a generation
  • Color planning and design advice for rag rugs
  • Step-by-step instructions on warping and weaving for your rag rug
  • More than 30 rag rug projects, from simple to advanced

Before I go on, I must first tell you that these rag rugs are woven on larger looms--such as the Jack Loom or the Counterbalance Loom. . . .They are not twined on looms like the ones we sell at Our Old Country Store. . . .Yet, there is so much information that can be utilized with the twined rugs--color schemes, the best way to prepare strips, different methods of joining the strips, how to use various fabrics and textures. . . .Each rug pattern is beautifully presented and includes a swatch photo of the materials used. . . .A WEALTH of information that would be of value to any weaver.

 
The more I read through WEAVING RAG RUGS, the more excited I became. . . .I think I could adapt several of Tom's patterns for weaving a rug on the twinning loom. . . Might not be as professional as Tom's rugs but I'm planning to try it. . . .His patterns and combination of colors have inspired me.


There's another reason I chose this book as an addition to our library. . . .Last year the owner of one of the antique malls we frequent in Missouri called us. . . .She had bought for resale a large loom and thought we might be interested in it, since we 'were into weaving'. . . .I remember saying to John that I'd love to try my hand at it, but where in the world would I go to learn? . . .Now, I know. . . .I'm certain I could take Tom's book and teach myself--it's just that detailed! . . .I've collected weaving books for years, but this is the first one I've read that is so step-by-step informative that I could teach myself. . . .whether it's any time soon or years down the road. . . .For me, this one is a 'keeper'. . . .


You have a chance to win a copy for yourself--or a friend!
Just comment below and your name will be added to the drawing!
Not allowed to comment with Google?
 
You don't have to follow or add links to your blog or tell others on social media--although I'd love it if you did. . . .(grin)
You can ask your friends to comment, too. . . .It's open to everyone!
 
I'll randomly choose a winner and will announce who the lucky person is next Monday May 19th.
 
Many thanks to Tom Knisely and Heather Gooch for making this Giveaway possible!
If you'd like to read other reviews and follow the blog tour, visit at:

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .


13 comments:

Carol said...

The book looks wonderful! Just the addition I need to go with my looms :) Hope I win!

Sandy A said...

How fun! I would love to try weaving rugs--I just love the look of them...

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I really enjoyed creating a rag rug using your loom this past year And you are so correct...there's not a lot of information out there. This book would be interesting to me simply in regards to the portion about joining the strips as I found that I'd end up with some big bulky knots sometimes the way that I was doing it ...depending on the material etc. So if I don't win you could just do a post about that after you go through the book, ha ha ! :)

Brenda said...

This book sounds fascinating. I am currently making my 5th rag rug on the looms I bought from you in January. I have learned so much about color, fabrics, and patterns. I am sure that I have much more to learn. Brenda in PA

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

Oooh, I'd love to learn!!

stayingold13 said...

Oh how wonderful.I have been eyeing this on Amazon for sometime now.I am on my second rug now,and have made some mug rugs as well.Everyone loves them.I cannot say enough how twining has helped me in my stroke recovery.My hands don't ache as much.Thank you again.

Pam said...

I love woven rugs. I did some weaving WAY BACK in High School on a floor standing loom (one of those big ones. Great book!
Hugs,
Pam
scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

Jan Irving said...

I love the look of this book. I've woven three little runners in bands of color in my home. I have materials now, a gift from a friend of handspun wool which I've dyed and hope to make into a rug in future.

mozarks said...

I'd love to win this! This past winter I learned how to make rug by twinning this looks like a great book to help me learn more about rag rugs.

The Farmers Daughter said...

I have additional entries from emails, phone calls, and other means:

Mary
Merrell
Rose
Piece of Cake
Kathleen
Georgia
Ruth

Good Luck!

The Farmers Daughter said...

More email entries:
Rebecca of Crowley's Ridge
Rose (#2) of Rosie's Place

The Farmers Daughter said...

We had two more entries by email over the weekend! Their names were included in the drawing.

Rita
Kathy

Thanks again to everyone!

The Farmers Daughter said...

And, one more: Your name went in the drawing. I forgot to add it here!

Connie

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