Isn’t it amazing the things one can learn stuck at home?!
So, here’s my latest.
I recently wove a small rag rug using leftover bits of 8/4 cotton rug warp. I estimated how much I had of each color. I had a vision of stripes in a certain balance of widths.
Well, that didn’t quite work out. But, my brain got active as I looked at it.
I realized if I knew how much the core in the tube weighed I could figure the yardage.
Happily, I have an ounce scale, a key ingredient in making chocolate cake with a grandson.
So, using my ball winder, I emptied my smallest tube of 8/4 cotton.
The tube weighs .35 ounces. Now, the math .
My green 8/4 weighs 3.92 ounces(I’ve already taken off the core weight). 3.92 is to 8(because the original tube weight) as x is to 800(yds in original tube). 3.92/8 needs to become a percent….8 into 100 = 12.5 now multiple 3.92 = 49% is what I have left on my green tube. Change 49% to a decimal, .49 x 800 = 392 yds green cotton. So, now I can plan my stripes accordingly.
This process will work with any leftover yarn as long as you know the weight of the center cone. However, your denominator number will vary depending upon your specific yarn.
Oh, and by the way, the chocolate cake was fabulous, not the frosting so much. But, thanks go to Ina Garten!
Heather Meyer wove this colorful rag rug “while stuck at home.”