Rug finishing

The design for the rug completion is now done and we have started to weave again.  The first quick sketch shows the existing 'blocks' transformed into stripes that swirl into a central hole.

First sketch

After the first sketch I decided to add a center gold circle inside the black circle.  Then the next step was to map the whole thing out a little more accurately based on a full scale diagram.

The plan, on graph paper.

With the detailed graph we were then able to actually start the rows, and following the diagram it should then turn out reasonably close to what I want - there will not be nice sharp edges as the colours come together as I have had to vary the number of knots of each colour to accommodate both the swirl and the reduction in size.  Once at the half was stage I will have to abandon the tidy coloured strips in favour of a slowly randomising colour scheme as it wraps around the black circle.

The various colours cut up and grouped together.

The wool is cut by wrapping it around a couple of sticks with a groove between them.  Once thee is enough a knife is used to cut the individual lengths.  These are then grouped together into bundles with the number needed varying based on the thickness of the yarn.

Rug progress (front)

Rug progress (rear - with merging stripes more clearly shown)

Most of the weaving and knotting today was done by Anne - while I worked on the guild project.  The side white stripes here are our own Clun Forest wool - I have spun up some quick, thick, 2-ply.  The rest of the white (inside the grey stripes) is just plain commercial yarn.