Drawing on the backing with a Sharpie marker

Despite the fact that I am trying very hard to use every spare minute to work on my rya rug-making book, I decided that I had to try the acrylic/linen backing I recently acquired when I “bought back” my grandparents’ rya rug business.  It’s lighter in weight than wool, but well-woven.  I just had to try it before I could promote its use to my rya clients who trust me.   So two days ago I played with a design on paper which I then drew onto the woven backing with a straight edge and compass.  It would be and easy design to recreate for someone wanting to play with mixing colors.

This is what the entire backing and rug looks like at this point

I made a photocopy of my sketch and painted with paints to see how I might approach the coloring of the rug… Then I picked out some vivid colors to work with–since it is winter–and color is therapeutic.

Close-up of the Knot Work and Color Blending

Last night I come in from the studio with a marked backing, a half dozen needles, and a small bag of yarn.  I sat next to the fireplace and made my first knots.  Within minutes, I was totally back in the groove.  “Would these colors work together?”  I had to keep knotting to see how the next color would blend with the previous one.  “How will they look next to the area coming in a couple of rows?”

My husband folded his book and headed for bed.  “Just one more row!”  Between 7 and 11 PM I had knotted about 8 rows (about 6″).  This morning as the snow was just starting to fall, I just had to complete a circle in the design, just to see its shape.

My color card, my painted sketch, and the rya to be

Wow, so this is addiction.  Just walk away.  I did.  Then in minutes I had to go back for more.

So I took these pictures, I’m making this blog post, THEN I will write a chapter in the book before I make another row.  (Well, maybe I’ll fill in that center area first; won’t take but a few minutes.)