Weaving your own rug by loom can be a fun hobby for either leisure or profit. It's also a practical choice, since rugs are used in nearly every household. Finding the right kind of thread offers added color and quality to your rugs, bringing a new layer of enjoyment to your work. Whatever material you work with, you don't have to rely on luck to find what you need.

Loom Thread

If you work primarily with cotton, linen or a combination of both (cottolin), find a shop that sells skeins that are at least 100 yards in length. Cottolin generally come in much larger skeins. Buying smaller amounts, normally found in general craft stores that focus on non-weaving projects, can be unnecessarily costly. Venne Cottolin yarn, known for is ability to be safely machine washed, is a popular choice for weavers. Pacific Wool and Fiber, a yarn store based in Oregon, sells a large selection of Venne Cottolin in 640-yard skeins. Arizona-based Cotton Clouds, in operation for 30 years as of 2010, also offers a wide array of cotton thread specifically for weaving projects.

Wool Yarn

Wool yarn is a little easier to come by in larger skeins because it is used in knitting, crochet and countless other projects in addition to weaving. Many craft stores carry a variety of sizes, widths and colors, while more specialized stores carry unique styles and handspun wool. One size of skein isn't necessarily preferable over another. Michaels has a number of stores across the country that sell a variety of wool yarn; it also have a website where you can purchase yarn if you don't live near one of its stores. For specialty wool yarn specifically created for weaving projects, Halcyon Yarn from Maine offers a large selection of colors listed by weight and fiber type.

Rag Rug Fabric

If your loom weaving projects fall more in line with rag rugs, you'll have many more buying outlets. It's best to choose fabric you can cut or tear into several 1 to 1 1/2-inch strips to get the most for your money. Since you work with strips of fabric rather than with thread, there are more options to be had in fabric and general craft stores in addition to websites specializing in weaving supplies. Jo-Ann Stores, according to its website, is the "nation's largest specialty retailer of fabrics." Their stores' selection is categorized by style and material, and they offer a wide variety of branded and licensed fabric. Hancock Fabrics also has many stores across the country as well as a website, which sports a large selection of merchandise separated into fashion and home decoration categories as well as by material.

Source:

Pacific Wool and Fiber

More Information:

Halcyon Yarn

Cotton Clouds