Tools & Tips for Classic Rug Wool
Classic Rug Wool Tools & Tips
Make the most of your Rug Wool with these tips and favorite tools!
DYE
Available in over 90 colors, the Signature Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool also takes dye beautifully – try Wash Fast Acid Dyes for rich, colorfast hues.
WEAVE
Weavers love the durability and heft of this three-ply yarn. To weave a sturdy weft-faced piece you’ll want a strong warp that you can weave under a lot of tension with a very firm beat. We recommend setting your warp at approximately 3-5 epi (ends per inch) tabby, and using either a wool or linen warp. Area rugs and saddle blankets will hold up for years due to the strong, long-staple wool fibers in this certified 100% New Zealand wool, and the colors stay amazingly vivid.
Soft Finish Linen Warps 8/2 thru 8/5 Yarn |
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] |
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] |
We recommend using a ski shuttle with the Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool. Ski shuttles will let you wind on plenty of this bulky yarn, and because of the smooth bottom your shuttle will still glide nicely through your shed. Especially for wider pieces, this is preferable to a stick shuttle. Using a shorter stick shuttle can be helpful if you plan to incorporate narrower sections of color using a tapestry technique.
Leclerc 27" Ski Shuttle |
Leclerc 18" Ski Shuttle |
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] |
Schacht 18" Ski Shuttle |
Harrisville 19.5" Ski Shuttle |
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] |
Stick shuttles are available in even more lengths – see web for more!
Since the Rug Wool is so heavy and evenly spun, it doesn’t tend to tangle easily, however good skein management from the outset makes every project easier as you work. To wrangle heavier yarns we recommend using a wooden (not plastic) swift, and a larger ball winder.
Wooden Umbrella Swift |
Maine Made Cherry Swift |
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] |
Or save when you buy the ultimate winding combo – makes a fantastic holiday gift for your favorite weaver!
Even on a rigid heddle loom rug wool can yield some great results. Liz Gipson’s book Weaving Made Easy - Revised and Updated, 17 Projects Using a Rigid Heddle Loom uses our Rug Wool in her beautiful Simply Striped rug, which she also has video support for. (I’ve shared this before, but I can’t recommend her Yarnworker videos highly enough. Check it out here!
KNIT/CROCHET
Planning to knit or crochet? On its own, or felted, the Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool is a surprisingly versatile material! You’ll want to use the right tools though, and be patient – even though the super-bulky gauge stitches up quickly, the weight can be harder on your hands and wrists.
If you plan to felt your piece, remember to go up a few needle or hook sizes so it has room to shrink in to the desired size. Felt it as you would any wool item by putting it in a sink, tub, bucket, or even the washing machine. Use warm to hot water with a little detergent and agitate it thoroughly and evenly. Then toss it in the dryer and you won’t believe what a dense, strong materials you can create. This technique makes a great bath mat or area rug, and is also a great technique for making containers like a strong little felted bowl or tray!
Knit singly on a US size #9 – #15 needle, as shown in the All Down the Line - Rug Wool Knitted Jacket Pattern Download. Or on a #15 or #17 if you’re using it doubled, as in the Knitted Rectangular Rug - Pattern download. Crocheters should use an M-13 to Q hook, and can also work the yarn doubled or tripled, as in the Crochet Rug (Felted) - Pattern download.
All Down the Line - Rug Wool Knitted Jacket Pattern Download |
Knitted Rectangular Rug - Pattern download |
Crochet Rug (Felted) - Pattern download |
Strands & Samples
Need more than just a sample card, but not a full skein? Individual 55″ strands are available in all our colors. Rug hookers love the ability to mix colors affordably, and at only $0.55 these are perfect for accent work.
From bold and bright, to earthy heathers, and deep jewel tones… preview and choose your colors from a helpful sample card of each palette, or get the set of all four sample cards to see the full range of colors.
There’s no limit to what you’ll use this one-of-a-kind wool for…
Stock up now, it’s only on sale until Friday!
Related items of interest: • Our yarns • Super Bulky weight yarns • Wool yarns • Warp weight yarns • Linen yarns • Weaving Equipment • Multi-Craft Equipment • Weaving Books • Knitting Patterns • Crochet Patterns