Rya Rug Backing

For those who don’t weave but like the plushness of a rya rug I now am able to supply the backing so you can make your own rya.
The backing is woven using a pure linen warp and wool weft.

Please subscribe to my Newsletter if you wish to be updated on the latest products.
Paivatar Yarns Newsletter

Update: March 2022

Paivatar Rya Rug Backing

I am very pleased to say that I am now able to weave some rya backings. These will be narrow in width 40-60 cm as I do not yet have the arm strength required to weave larger widths.

Rya Rug Backing

The Paivatar rya backings are similar to the Finnish Wetterhoff rya backing. The sett of the cloth is approximately the same (number of warp threads per inch/cm. As I worked with the Wetterhoff backing, I found it a bit difficult to use thicker weight yarns, due to the firmly packed weft. I prefer to weave the backing with a slightly looser beat, to allow a bit of wiggle room for tying the rya knots.
As you work with the rya knots and add more, the knots will fill in the extra spacing of the weft threads. Give a firm tug to each knot across the row, before stitching the next row. This helps to even the sett, and to leave extra room for tying the next row of knots.

The backing cloth has been woven using natural cream coloured organic wool and linen yarns.
I have also sourced some lovely yarns from small spinning mills in eastern Europe. The flax and wools are sourced from local farmers and are spun using traditional methods using organic materials.

The first of these backings are off my loom now. I am taking orders for 1 meter lengths of the backing.
Please contact me if you have any questions.

The spacing between each Rya knot row is 1 cm
Rya Rug Backing Fabric

Rya Sample

When working with Rya Backing, you can choose to tie the rya knots on every warp grouping or you can space the knots out by skipping one warp group in between each knot.
For example, if you are using a thicker weight yarn it is best to leave a warp thread untied between each rya knot.
If you are using finer weight yarn such as a 4Ply or Sock yarn, tie the knots around every 2 warp threads.
In Finland, many variations in the spacing of rya knots were used, depending on the weight of the cloth, the thickness of yarn or the desired effect of the finished pile.
There is no one right way to tie rya knots.

Rya Knots Diagram

Source: U.T. Sirelius – The Ryijy Rugs of Finland

How to Stitch a Rya Rug – YouTube Video

Please visit and Subscribe to my Channel on Rumble for more how-to videos.
https://rumble.com/Paivatar
All Custom orders and require a 50% non-refundable deposit.
This covers my cost of the yarns – should you change your mind and not want the product.

Plant Dyed Rya Yarns
Soon I will also have available plant dyed rya wool yarns that are suitable for use with this rya backing. Please visit Plant Dyed Rya Rug yarns for more information.

Rya Rug Instructions
Here are some instructions on how to sew rya knots onto a pre-woven rya backing fabric.

Rya Rug Backings

Rya Rug Rulers