Southwest-inspired Mug Rugs
By Nora Schacht
I used 3 textile techniques to create this set of mug rugs. It started with Spinzilla 2014; I got back into spinning when I participated with the Schacht team, spinning over 6,000 yards. After plying the yarn, I decided to try Kool-Aid dyeing to create vibrant colors. Finally, I warped my Cricket Loom to create these sturdy and handsome mug rugs.
Project Specs
Finished size: 5" wide by 5" long, including 3/4" fringe at either end.
Weave structure: weft-emphasis plain weave
Warp length: 3 yards which allows for eight 4" coasters, with 8" in between coasters for fringe tying, and 20" loom waste. If using hemstitching instead of knots, secure the weft between coasters and allow for 2" between coasters.
Total warp ends: 48
Width in reed: 6"
EPI: 8
PPI: 11
What You'll Need
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Warp yarn: 2-ply Encore acrylic worsted weight yarn in purple
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Weft yarn: about 8 ounces of 2-ply handspun wool yarn, between a sport and worsted weight
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unsweetened Kool-Aid dye—I used 3 packets of orange for the orange yarn and 3 packets of Blue Raspberry Lemonade for the blue yarn
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10” Cricket loom
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8 dent reed
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two shuttles
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rotary cutter, rotary cutting mat, and straight edge (optional)
Materials
Equipment
Directions
Kool-Aid Dyeing
Both skeins of handspun were about 4 ounces (or one Schacht bobbin full of 2-ply yarn). Orange took 3 packets of Orange Kool-Aid, and blue took 3 packets of Blue Raspberry Lemonade Kool-Aid.
Pour Kool-Aid into a pot with 10-12 cups of water and stir until dissolved. Wet skein and place in dyepot. Slowly bring up the heat until the water boils. Immediately turn down the heat and allow the water to simmer until the dye bath is clear. Turn off the heat and allow the water to cool before removing the yarn. Gently wash in warm water with mild detergent. Rinse the skein and hang until dry.
Warping and Weaving
Warp the loom with Encore yarn following the Project Specs above.
Leave at least 4" for fringe and then start weaving. Each mug rug is slightly different. I varied the blue stripes between 2 rows and 4 rows, and kept the orange stripes the same at 5 picks per stripe. After each coaster measured a little over 4", I advanced the warp 8" before starting the next coaster. (At least 4" is needed at the end of each coaster for the overhand knots.)
Finishing
Remove from the loom and cut the coasters apart. Tie overhand knots along the edges using 4 warp ends per knot. Soak the coasters in warm water in the sink, then rinse in cool water and lay flat to dry. When almost dry, steam press with a press cloth. Trim the fringe to 3/4".