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Summer is fast approaching and I am just about finished weaving a small 18 X24 Navajo style Tufted rug as my latest effort to experience a goal of weaving the full array of Navajo traditional styles. The technique was used in the old days to make homemade mattresses. The tufted rug is an old Navajo technique which creates a sheepskin with real advantages. The process of tanning hides is difficult and often resulted in stiff skins. The advantage of weaving the goat hair into a rug base provides a pliable and soft blanket that wraps around the sleeper covering the troublesome drafty holes. We all have experienced those crisp nights sleeping in a tent at Sarah's. Ah, Ha! A full length rug like this would do the trick. Additionally, it can be rolled up and stored conveniently. Using long 6 inch or longer locks of mohair results in a shaggy rug that looks very much like a real sheepskin. If you desire to incorporate design, since the tufts are inserted individually, they can be of different colors for whatever visual effect. Tufts of wool are taken from the fleece which is washed by hand, combed out, and laid in individually, leaving the long ends hanging out. Then a few rows of tight plain weave between the rows of tufts make the rug strong. This shows through on the reverse side as short dashes of white across the back. The rug displayed consists of white angora goat tufts and the backing is worsted weight wool in gray, charcoal gray, and rust stripes. The tufting is dense enough that the design does not show through, but is displayed on the back of the rug. Edge cording was also used for strength and durability. I'll probably use it as an example for students who may wish to try to weave one, but primarily as a comfortable pad to sit on while weaving at my loom. |