The classic guide to an enduring American craft gets an eye-catching revision. Fantastic to look at and easy to follow, this expanded version of The Braided Rug Book will win a new audience and also appeal to those who own the previous edition. It features thoroughly updated information, brand-new gallery images, two additional rug techniques to try, and a comprehensive primer on planning a project. Beginners will learn about wools and other materials, how to care for finished rugs, and how to recognize a quality rug. Plus, there are several new color plans and entirely new directions and illustrations for building a rug-braiding stand, complete with a finished photo.

Braided-in rugs only look complicated! With a few old T-shirts, a pair of scissors and a handful of safety pins, you can create stunning braided-in rugs. This lost folk art comes alive with simple step-by-step directions. These durable, reversible rugs are made in a single step, which automatically forms swirling lines for big visual impact. The author walks the first-time rug maker through the process and shows how to make rugs with two, four, six and even eight strands. Directions for right- and left-handers, plus no-sew options make the rugs suitable for all skill levels. With a dozen projects in various shapes, you can create your own heirloom rugs and baskets with fabrics ranging from light cotton to heavy wool.

This is the comprehensive reference on rug hooking and braiding skills for all fiber artists, especially those looking for a comprehensive guide to combining the two arts into fascinating and creative projects. Filled with photographs and diagrams, the instruction in techniques is clear and detailed with a range of skills for the beginner and advanced artisan. Follow step-by-step instructions to learn how to make centers for rugs or other objects and then move expertly into hooked borders and fancy braids. Learn how to make borders using both arts stacked in multiple layers. Three complete beginning-to-end projects are included that you can use to practice the integration of hooking and braiding: a braided tote bag with a hooked pocket, a braided chair pad with a hooked border, and a lacy braided trivet. In addition to this clear and creative approach to combining rug hooking and braiding, the book is filled with supply lists, a gallery, tips, FAQs, and resources.

Creating a beautiful throw rug from scraps is easy enough for anyone to master. Making Rag Rugs, a collection of 15 original designs from a variety of talented rug crafters, suits the skills of any crafter, from the rawest beginner to the most sophisticated talent. This book shows how to utilize such simple recycled ingredients as leftover fabric, old clothes, and household textiles to create these beloved and time-honored rugs. The techniques are easy to learn, the cost is minimal, and very little special equipment is needed. Each project is accompanied by a detailed "what you will need" list, step-by-step instructions with color illustrations and full-color photographs of the whole rug, and close-up detail that brings the projects to life and makes them easy to achieve. Specification boxes detail the size of the rug and the technique used. The designs in this book are contemporary and fun. The Retro Flower Rug is inspired by the classic flower shapes used by Andy Warhol and Mary Quant in the 1960s. Lavender Field is made from soft woolen blankets dyed in shades of green and mauve to represent lavender flowers, foliage, and surrounding fields. Lavender buds are even sewn into the lining to gently scent the room. A wonderfully rustic Braided Woolly Rug is made from cream and white blankets and black and gray coat and skirt fabrics. All of the basics are covered - from preparing the rags to finishing, cleaning, and caring for the completed rugs. Once crafters have mastered the techniques of hooking, prodding, braiding, and weaving, the next step is to design their own rugs.

Elspeth Jackson reinvents the traditional craft of rag rugging to create contemporary and sustainable homeware items from leftover fabrics. You’ll be amazed at how simple and enjoyable it is to upcycle old and well-loved garments into beautiful rugs, pillows, artworks, bags, and other gifts, using just a few basic tools and some simple techniques. The book is arranged into three chapters: Home includes a selection of projects for fun and easy rugs in a range of colours and styles, as well as a shaggy pillow, draught excluder, wall hanging and chalkboard frame. Gifts has wonderful ideas for unique items that you can make for friends and family, from a clutch purse to flower hair clips and even a brooch. Finally, Seasonal will inspire you to turn your strips of fabric into decorations and gifts to use at certain times of the year, from a rag-rugged heart for Valentine’s Day, to an unusual spring wreath and some gorgeous Christmas baubles. With lavish color photographs and clear, step-by-step instructions and artworks, crafters of all ages will enjoy making these projects. A comprehensive section at the start of the book covers everything you need to know about which fabrics to choose, what tools you will need, and the essential techniques, allowing you to discover how to update this traditional craft with endless possibilities of color and fabric combinations.