Comments on: The Easiest Way to Braid a Wool Rug

By: Arline Keeling

Arline Keeling — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:35:08 +0000

Hi, Well……..I think Jane Olson all but braided my first rugs for me,. I started ordering supplies from Jane in about 1984. I didn’t have classes. I did have a mentor and friend who was very proud of the fact she had been to CA and met Jane. Jane taught me so much on the phone. Hooking too. It was about 20 years before I met her at Cambria.

The braiding link is Donna McKeever and she will do another braiding conference in 2009. Last year she opened the conference for hookers and had classes on putting braids onto the hooking.
Which by the way I would love to do at Cambria.
I am also going to send a picture of my first multi-strand rug which I finished at the National Rug Braiding Conference in 2007.

By: rugbug48

rugbug48 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:46:00 +0000

Gene,
Well, it’s a good thing to know. Thank you for sharing. I won’t mention where I heard it. Now, I will need Jane and Norma’s address to put my plan into action.:)
M

By: Gene Shepherd

Gene Shepherd — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:30:04 +0000

Martha – I only share this method with my close Blog readers – it’s not for the general public. Can’t share too many trade secrets. GRS

By: rugbug48

rugbug48 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:02:26 +0000

Gene,
I guess the video won’t be coming out any time soon??? I must admit, your way is the easiest of all. I have tried that method on several of my close friends and some not so close in a variety of venues. I have learned that a lock on the door is useful if you do it more than once.
Happy New Year!
Martha

By: Gene Shepherd

Gene Shepherd — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:53 +0000

JoJo – Jane and Norma come in handy for all sorts of things! My ointment of choice is “Rawleigh’s Medicated Ointment” – won’t leave home without it. GRS

By: Gene Shepherd

Gene Shepherd — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:32:51 +0000

If you want to see on eof these “15 strand” braided rugs, check out the link that Janet sent me:

http://www.rugbraiders.com/biographies.html

By: JoJo

JoJo — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:33:41 +0000

What a wonderful lesson on braiding! (take it, give it to an expert, watch the braiding being done, retrieve it when finished and give it to MIL!) Piece of cake!!

Although I love the look of braided rugs, I’ve never been tempted to try it since I’m guarding my hands and fingers, trying to protect them. Even so, my left palm is bleeding again. But I’ve found something that works better than the foam from the dermatologist…..Vicks Vapo Rub! Slather it on hands at bedtime, wear white cotton gloves to bed (to save the sheets) and in a few days, voila! Now if the arthritis and FM were as easy to deal with!

I sure envy you knowing, being friends with and working with Jane and Norma. How wonderful!

By: jaNetMN

jaNetMN — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:47:56 +0000

Gene, I should have said 15 strands. Of course it has to be in multiples of 3. I have a friend that lives in Washington State that does them up to 21 strands. I may have a picture of one. If not, I am sure she would email one to me. I will email to you as soon as I find it. They are marvelous and far beyond anything I could do. Never could figure out how to bind the ends together on a multi-strand braid once I got around it.

By: Gene Shepherd

Gene Shepherd — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:40:06 +0000

jaNetMN – I would love to see the 16 strand rugs – don’t believe I ever have. Any well made, hand made rug is interesting to me and each has it’s points. I think all fiber artists appreciate them all because we “get” what they are. I passed up several old wool “shirret” rugs at a garage sale once and could kick myself for that miss step. They all are great when on the floor. GRS

By: jaNetMN

jaNetMN — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:31:47 +0000

I must say, that although I never could get the hang of the finish of it, that I have braiding friends that can braid 16 strands at a time. This is done in different sequence to make the most beautiful braided rugs. Also, like Jane, many of the older braiders don’t use the cones. With 16 strands you can’t. I feel that braiding vs hooking – one isn’t necessarily better than the other. They are just different art forms. Both can be as simple or intricate as the artist that does them.