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When developing the Endless Options Mug Rug pattern with Karla Stille, we talked about what else a weaver might do with a Rep Weave warp. While we love Rep Weave and have some spectacular projects like the Chain Link and Staggered Steps runners, the quantity and density of warp threads can be intimidating for newer weavers. Making smaller projects like the Viken Trivets is one option, but Karla suggested winding a longer warp to accommodate two projects — a narrower Rep Weave and then re-sleying at a looser sett for a coordinating piece.
We loved the idea, especially as we can see how it would translate to just about any Rep Weave project.
In this blog post, Karla shares her process for creating a coordinated mug rug and runner set using traditional Rep Weave for the Endless Options Mug Rugs, then substituting batik fabric for the “thick picks” and using an open sett to allow the design of the fabric to peek through in the runner.
Rep Weave is a great technique, and let’s face it — those thick picks are very satisfying to weave and make a project work up quickly! To maximize your effort of winding a dense warp, you can also re-sley at a looser sett and weave a coordinating project.
Because Beam has so many great colors to choose from, I made many, many versions of the Endless Options Mug Rugs in various combinations. In order to make the most of my warps, I added an extra yard to the warp length to weave a coordinating runner.After finishing the mug rugs, I cut them off the loom and re-sleyed the remaining warp at 10 EPI for a 15” width. At 150 ends and a relatively short warp (even with the extra yard), this project is quick to get started. Mug rugs in Beam 3/2 weave up quickly, and re-sleying 1 end per dent in a 10-dent reed feels like time recovered for not having to wind and thread another warp!
While I have a decent-sized yarn stash, I also have a lot of fabric that I thought would work nicely as a thick weft in a “modified” Rep Weave (modified because it uses the same thick/thin principle but the sett allows the thick weft to play a starring role). I chose a batik print cut into 1” strips because at 10 EPI the fabric’s design would pop through.
Using the same warp visually coordinates the runner and mats, while the sett change and thick fabric weft add variety and interest.
I wove about 36” to get a 30” runner. Wet-finishing is optional, but not necessary, and you can finish the fringe as desired — secured at the hem and left loose, twisted, braided or needle-woven into the back of the runner.
If runners aren’t your favorite, another option is to double the width of the warp to make mats for beside your bed or in front of a sink.
If you’ve been reluctant to try Rep Weave, I hope you’ll reconsider. It is a wonderful technique and offers endless options to play with color and pattern just by opening the sett.
Karla is a self-taught textile artist focusing on the practical weaving of home accessories. She started with a homemade backstrap loom as a teen and hasn’t looked back since. Many looms later she is competing with the best weavers in the state at the Iowa State Fair. Color and structure are her primary challenges while tapestry is a favorite project. She is a published weaver in Handwoven magazine. She received a BA in Art Ed from the University of Iowa and taught K-12 art for 18+ years. She is active in her local guild.
