Learn the art of designing and making a Nordic traditions rya rug. With this book, you can make authentic, heirloom-quality rya rugs without a loom or special equipment and enjoy them as art on the walls, floors, beds, and more. Ryas have a long history. In the days of the Vikings, ryas were woven on looms with a wool pile that gave warm insulation in the cold winters as warm cloaks on a freezing sea, sleigh blankets, and as bed coverings. After World War II, Nordic countries marketed their signature crafts around the world. They wove backings, spun hardy rya yarns, and designed kits easily made by beginners. These industries thrived throughout the midcentury modern era, but suddenly supplies became difficult to find when fashions trends changed. From the late 1970s to recent times, not only supplies, but experienced teachers were very hard to find. Melinda Purcell Byrd was born into a rya rug family. Her grandparents, Bill and Angelina Lundgren from Northboro, Massachusetts began importing Swedish rya supplies the year she was born. They established a thriving business by providing kits and custom designs in rya across the United States. Melinda designed and made her first when she was 11 years old. After college, she worked with her grandparents as designer, teacher, and business manager becoming proficient in all things rya. After fashions trends changed, Lundgren Rya, along with dozens of other suppliers in the USA and Europe closed their doors.Thirty years later Byrd has used her experience and the Internet to revive rya rug making and provide a resource for currently available supplies as well as teach how to use them. In her book, history of how this craft began, thrived, and was nearly lost is shared. She demystifies the designing process and gives detailed examples of various designing techniques for right-brained and left-brained thinkers. You'll find personal story profiles of other rya pilgrims, innovators, and visionaries to inspire you. Full of colorful illustrative photos by award-winning photographer, Ken Koons, this book will move you to join the rya rug revival and make your own rya rugs!

An artist’s guide to the craft, beauty, and utility of punch needle rug hooking. Discover the simple art of rug hooking with this colorful guide that includes both instructions for beginners and innovative ideas for those wanting to go further. Rose Pearlman’s abstract designs use modern color, composition, and texture to bring this traditional fiber art to life. The 22 projects featured here start small and simple as you get used to the process and move on to a range of unique objects—for kids, to wear, for the home, and utilizing alternative materials. From purses, crib pockets, slide shoes, and rugs to wall art made from recycled plastic bags, this beautifully photographed book showcases punch needle rug hooking as an incredibly versatile—and stylish—craft.

Learn how to make 20 modern-vibe projects using the technique of pulling wool strips. Related to punch needle rug hooking, this process has similar traditional roots, but wool strips provide a different form of expression and a unique look. Whether you're a complete beginner, an established fan of punch needle rug hooking, or at the intermediate level, expert Katie Kriner teaches the process and offers 20 projects for honing your skills, and the designs are a variety of styles, including rustic, primitive, chic, and modern. First enjoy learning about this craft's antique origins, then understand what tools and materials you'll need for creating and working with strips of wool. To get you started on the craft itself, Katie teaches 3 simple projects and 2 basic finishing techniques. This lets you create the 17 "next step up" projects, including pillows, wall hangings, floor rugs, bags, holiday decorations, tea cozy, wine tote, footstool, and even mug rugs. You'll learn various techniques for finishing and binding, mounting, backgrounds, assembling pieces, beading, and more. Make the projects as they're taught, or use them as springboards for customizing and expressing your own design style.

Discusses the history of rag rugs, introduces the equipment and techniques, and provides detailed instructions for making twelve projects, from throw rugs to jewelry

·A contemporary instructional guide to introduce beginners to the exciting world of rug tufting and gives them the right information, right from the start ·Features highly detailed overviews on tools, materials, supplies, building a tufting frame, and basic tufting techniques, plus QR codes to video tutorial content ·An extensive section details everything a beginner needs to know about tufting guns to fully equip their knowledge and skills before they try their first project ·Includes 3 step-by-step unique tufting projects that vary in shape, size, and style - one of which goes beyond the standard rug and consists of a mirror project ·Author Kristen Girard is a talented artist and designer behind Made for Monday where she makes tufted rugs, mirrors, wall hangings, coasters, and more