Plain Weave (Tuskaft)

Plain weave (also called tabby weave, linen weave or taffeta weave) is the most common and basic of the three fundamental types of textile weaves – the other two being satin weave and twill. It is strong and hard-wearing, used for both fashion and furnishing fabrics.

In plain weave, the warp and weft are aligned so they form a simple criss-cross pattern. Each weft pick interlaces over and under each warp end.

This technique is often used in the classic Swedish rag rugs, as it is easy to set up, strong, and works well when using rags for filling in order to make the simple straight stripes often associated with the traditional rag rug.

Twill Weave (Kypert)

Some rag rugs are woven in twill – not that common though.

The warp forms a diagonal pattern when weaving in twill, as you can see in denim. Woven in this manner, the rug becomes much thicker and thus firmer than if woven in plain weave, the more common technique.

Rose Path (Rosengång)

A rag rug is not necessarily just a plain rug with simple, straight horizontal stripes.

‘Rose path’ is the name of a technique that was very popular in the 1950’s, when many rag rugs were woven entirely in rose path. But rose path appeared already in the early 1900’s, when it was used in borders to decorate rugs otherwise woven with the simpler plain weave.

Rose path can be explained as follows: ”Woven with or without a tabby ground, on three or four shafts, the pattern produces small diamonds or rose-shaped patterns”.

Rag rugs woven in rose path can be very intricate or sometimes just have a small section of the patterned design, while stripes are the main feature.

Checkered Weave (Rutigt)

Making checkered rag rugs calls for twice the amount of rags/weft. As a result, the rug is sturdy and extra heavy. It keeps its shape well and lies steady.

Rep Weave Rugs

With rag rugs, the warp is usually (not always) a plain cream white, and the rug gets its looks and colors from the weft made from strips of textile rags. In contrast to rag rugs, the Rep Weave Rug (Ripsmatta) is a warp-faced weave. The design, patterns, and colors are all made with the tight warp of cotton yarn.

Technically, the weft can be made with strips of textile rags, but that would be the poor weavers’ choice. A heavy cotton yarn is the more common choice, and the color of the weft yarn shows along the edges of the rug.

The rep weave rugs are lightweight and soft compared to rag rugs, but still robust thanks to the dense warp. An added advantage is that they are reversible. The design of the rug will have opposite colors on the other side of the rug.