Twined Rugs with Taaniko Stitch

Taaniko/twined practice mat with craft yarn.

To add a little more design to the stripes of a regular twined rug, I tried to incorporate taaniko. This seems to work best with soft light fabrics or those that scrunch up well. Thick fabrics or wide strips create bulges and bulky edges. I am learning. 

Taaniko/twined practice mats with craft yarn.

Bobbie Irwin's book (see introduction post) explains how to use taaniko in twined rugs. I figured out that it is best to do the taaniko portion first because it will push the warps out wider than the twined rows. If you do the widest parts first you can adjust your twined rows accordingly for a straighter edge.

Twined rug with taaniko heart made of
recycled cotton kimonos and clothes.

Large twined rug. Taaniko design and twined rows.
Recycled silk kimonos, polyester warp. (2240 x1680cm)

Recycled silk kimono fabric carpet.
Twined and taaniko pattern detail. (100 x 40cm)

Tree of life taaniko design on twined rug.
Recycled silk kimono fabric and synthetic silks. (110 x60cm)

Twined rug using taaniko weave for central design. 130cm x 70cm. Cotton sheet warp woven with old cotton curtains, tablecloth, yukata and silk kimono.

Taaniko stitch for checkerboard and square design, then twining for the rest. The salmon color is from a beautiful silk kimono with gold threads in the white parts; the gray is a men's yukata and blue is from a light woolen men's kimono.

Final size about 80 cm x 50 cm. Used heavy garden twine for the warp.

Rug Twining - Intro

My favorite rug twining book is Twist & Twine by Bobbie Irwin. 

I thought this book was great not only for beginners but for more advanced rug makers as well. I use a rotary blade to cut strips if ripping isn't an option (like textured fabric, some wools, delicate silks). 

I used an old picture frame for my first loom. For my second longer rug, I nailed a row of finishing nails into two pieces of scrap wood and tied each piece to a heavy piece of furniture, stretching the warp the length! Finally, my husband built me a standing loom.

Standing rug loom.

Nails in scrap wood!

Large loom with cloth strips as warp.

 The vertical warp can be strips of cloth or heavy string or cord. The cloth strips work well if you are using wide strips of cotton or wool for a sturdy carpet. I found that heavy kite string was sufficient for all-silk carpets where the weaving strip is narrower. 

I collect used kimonos, yukatas, curtains, bedspreads, lap blankets and cloth remnants from friends, family and the rubbish bins. I launder them, cut or tear into strips and come up with a design.

Discarded kimono

Cut or torn strips (I do this outdoors to avoid the fine dust!)

Piles of cloth strips ready to use.