Rag Rugs Tour
1. Tambour
2. Shirred 
3. Standing wool

4. Knitted
5. Flat Wrap
6. Amish Knot

7. Chain Braids
8. Broomstick & String Crochet
9. Crocheted

10. Fabric Tapestry
11. Anchored Loop
12. Hooked, Poked, Prodded, Bodkin

13. Needleworked
14. Toothbrush rugs
15. Braided rugs

16. Knotted & strung shags
17. Loom woven
18. Patched (penny rugs) & sewn shags
19. Frame made rugs
20. Wagon wheel & frame braids 
21. Odds 'n ends

Rugmaker's Handbook No. 4: Traditional Shirred and Standing Wool Rugs

The new edition of Traditional Shirred and Standing Wool Rugs is more than doubled in size from the 1996 edition and not only includes more information about the traditional techniques but also never-before-published techniques and variations. The book's instructions include:
Standing wool rugs, including beaded rugs and milleflore beaded rugs. 
Three varieties of faux shirring are included: sewn, crocheted and awl faux shiring.
Four varieties of center shirring: sewn, Snow-on-the-Mountain, two-hook and the bent hook method.
Edge shirring and mono-shirring, plus two bonus chapters on Postage Stamp rugs and Caterpillar Rugs. The Handbook section has been completely revised to include recycling clothing from t-shirts and jeans to sweaters and socks into fabulous, reversible rugs. Like all of the Handbooks, it is not a "craft" book, but a true handbook for the textile explorer. (Preview the Book)

5-inch, blunt tipped, SHIRRING NEEDLE
 Long enough to shir efficiently (5 inches long), and without the sharp tip which can split warp threads. It is ideal for sewn center and edge shirred rugs, and standing wool rugs including beaded rugs.

2mm AFGHAN HOOK for Crocheted Shirring
2.5mm AFGHAN HOOK for Crocheted Shirring
The hook is a full 12 inches long for the easiest type of crocheted shirring. These German-made hooks are ideal for your first rug with the wonderful softness of crocheted shirring.  If you want more durability in these aluminum hooks, select the 2.5mm size.

BAROQUE COTTON, 400 yd. skein
For years, this is the cotton we've most recommended for shirred rugs.  This DMC cotton thread is 100% cotton, tightly spun, super-mercerized to stand up to wear, and handles like a dream. Since we've heard that folks are having a hard time finding this, we're now going to carry it in the catalog. It is available in ecru.