Learn to Make a Shirred Wool Rug – Saturday, October 26, 2024

What is a Shirred Rug you ask? 

Shirred rugs appear around 1870, but few examples survive since most relied on sewing thread to hold the rugs together. By the 1890s, elaborate examples of shirred rugs were made and specialized tools began to be marketed, but most rugs continued to be made with needle and thread or carpet warp.

Shirred Wool Rugs are made by shirring (weaving) narrows strips of bias cut slightly felted wool onto a special needle and then using basic crochet stitches worked into a tight, yet soft, rug or mat.

Skills taught during this class:

Students will learn to prepare wool for rug making, learn to use a rotary cutter and mat with rulers; crochet slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet; shirr wool onto shirred needle and crochet the wool into a mat or beginning of a rug.

Students will have the beginning of a rug or a smaller mat, whatever size they choose.

Students will not finish a project at the end of the class, but they will leave with the skills to finish it on their own.

Your instructor will provide the following materials:

• Instructor will provide cutting mats, rotary cutters, rulers, and scissors to be used by students. 
• Instructor will provide prepared wool for students to use at no cost to them. 
• Instructor will bring Shirred Needles and cord that will be paid for by their Materials fee.

Students are asked to bring:

• A small pair of sharp scissors
• We highly recommend you bring a lunch as this class does go over the lunch hour. If you need to buy lunch, you can do so at these local businesses. Covered beverages only at the table, students are welcome to take breaks to eat away from the work area.

Skill Level
It would be helpful but not necessary for students to know the very basic crochet stitches of chain, single crochet, and double crochet.  These are very easy to learn and I can teach these in a short time at the beginning of our time together.

Age Requirement
Students ages 18 and older are welcome to attend this class.

Location Details
Marine Mills Folk School
550 Pine St., Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047

Cost Details
Tuition: $65
Materials Fee: $25
Total Cost: $90

NOTE: Be aware we may cancel class if a minimum number of registrations is not reached. We work to balance teachers’ need to plan for a class with students’ busy schedules — not an easy task. Please register as early as possible!

If interested, please click here to review our cancellation policies.