Weaving Pattern – Hemp Rep Placemats

By Paivi Suomi on April 14, 2012

Warp-face Rep weave
(ripsmatta, ripsi) is a weave structure that uses 2 weights of weft yarn, a thick and a thin yarn, woven in tabby, to create a horizontal ribbed design. In a true warp-faced rep, the warp is sett very closely. When woven, the entire weft is covered.

Hemp Placemats

In these hemp placemats, I have used a looser sett, allowing the thick weft to show through. This adds an additional design element to the placemats. The placemats are woven using 2 coloured yarns, alternating in the threading. When woven in tabby, this creates a reversible placemat of different colours.

Rep Weave

Warp

Colour 1: 100 grams 720 ypp 3 ply dyed hemp (Red)
Colour 2: 200 grams 720 ypp 3 ply dyed hemp (Burgundy)
Natural: 100 grams 1500 ypp 3 ply natural hempWarp Length: 4 ydNo. Ends: 150
Sett: 10 epi

Border
The borders on the placemats are approx. 2 inches in width. Use Colour 1 & Colour 2 alternating in the threading.

EBAY SHOPPING
PAIVATAR YARNS
Paivatar Yarns on EBAY
Shop for roving, yarns, dyes and other craft supplies.

Rep Weave Draft

Threading:

Colour 1 – 10 ends (Red)
Colour 2 – 10 ends (Burgundy)
Center
The warp for the Center of the placemats uses Colour 2 and a natural hemp yarn.
Threading:

Colour 2 – 54 ends
Natural – 54 ends

Rep Weave Draft

Weft
For the thick weft, you can use a thick cotton mop yarn. Or you can combine several 8/2 cotton or cotton chenille yarns together. These can all be the same colour, or for different colour effects, try mixing several different colours. For the thin weft, use either 1 strand of 8/2 cotton or 20/2 cottolin.

Weave in Tabby with 2 shuttles, alternating between thick and thin wefts, to create a ribbed weave effect.
Finishing
Cut the finished warp from the loom and zig-zag stitch the ends to prevent fraying. Wash in warm water and machine dry.

Iron the warp and then cut the placemats to 18″ lengths. Sew bias tape to finish the edges.