Rya Rugs – Paivatar Yarns and Design

Finnish Folk Rya Kits

This new series of Rya Rug kits that I am designing are based on the traditional folk Rya of Finland. ‘Suomen Kansanomaiset Ryijyt’.
Some of the earliest Rya in Finland date back to the 1700’s – 1800’s. Many of the rya of that period were geometric in shape, containing repetative squares, diamonds, diagonals and fish net patterns.
The Rya yarns were dyed using mainly local dyeplants of the region, such as Anthemis tinctorial – Marsh Labrador tea, Myrica gale, Bog myrtle, Birch leaves and bark, Alder buckthorn, Alder leaves and catkin, Willow bark, Spruce and pine cones, Parmelia lichen, Lichen saxatilis, Northern bedstraw. Red’s were obtained from Cochineal and Blues from Indigo, both of which were imported. Colours were darkened or blackened with the addition of iron to the dyebath.

Pori 1836
149 cm x 206 cm
Warp: Hemp
# Threads between rows: 8
Length of Pile: 1 cm
Owner: Yrjö Uotila

Hämeenlinna 1711
152 cm x 188 cm
# Threads between rows: 12
Rya Pile Length: 1.5 cm
# Threads per Knot: 6
Owner Galerie Horhammer, Helsinki
Deposited in Finnish National Museum

Ryijy - Hammenlinna 1711 — Ryijy – Hammenlinna 1711

Pirkkala 1792
158 cm x 190 cm
Warp: fine linen thread
# Rows between rows of pile: 6 – 8
Length of Rya Pile: 1.1 cm
# Threads per rya knot: 3-4
Owner: Trade Councillor N. Tirkkonen

Ryijy Rya Rug - Pirkkala 1792 — Ryijy Rya Rug – Pirkkala 1792

Jämsä
145 cm x 171 cm
Warp: Thick Hemp thread
# Threads between rows: 24
Length of Rya Pile: 3 cm
# Threads per Rya knot: 3

Ryijy Rya Rug - Jämsä — Ryijy Rya Rug – Jämsä

I will be adapting some of the Finnish rya rugs into smaller versions.
Rya Kits, Prices and details to come shortly.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
I am updating this website on a regular basis with new hand dyed yarns, handwoven items and other products. If you would like to keep informed of the latest developments, please Subscribe to my new Newsletter.
Päivi

Ikkuna Rya Rug Kits

I first designed these ‘Ikkuna’ Window Panes Rya kits about 20 years ago. I wove the first sample rya on my Glimakra tapestry loom. Each window pane gives a view of a different hand dyed colour, framed in black. The popular kits have gone through many variations over the years.

Ikkuna Rya Kit 2020

The new 2020 version of this rya kit will be dyed using the colours of nature. The dark window panes are of natural brown wool.
The coloured windows will each be dyed using natural plant dyes.
When working with natural dyes, the colours are seasonal. Not all dyeplants are availabe throughout the year. The type of soil that the plant grew in, the growing season, the quantity of dyestuff in the natural plant, the acidity or pH of the water, the temperature and length of time in the dyebath are all factors that affect the final colour that emerges. There are no repeats when working with nature’s colours. Each kit is unique.

Ikkuna 2020 Rya Rug Kit
48 Squares of Natural Plant Dyed Colours
Surrounded by Natural Brown Wool
Backing Length: 45 cm x 50 cm
Finished Size: 40 cm x 40 cm

The Rya kit includes:
Rya backing canvas
1.5 cm Rya Ruler
Plant Dyed Rya wool yarn
Pattern

If you have any questions, or would like to order a larger size in this design, please contact me.
Päivi

Hand dyed and hand spun yarns are now sold through my Etsy and EBay shops.

Paivatar Yarn on Etsy
Paivatar Yarn on EBay

1970’s Rya Rugs

These are some rya rugs I designed a few years ago, in the style of the 1960’s – 70’s rya rugs. The yarns were all hand dyed. The rugs were woven on a floor loom.

Solar Sky Rya Rug
Approx size: 45 cm x 70 cm

Diamonds and Tears Rya Rug
Approx size: 50 cm x 50 xm

Vortex in Blue Rya Rug
Approx size: 45 cm x 50 cm

Prime 17 Rya Rug
Approx size: 40 cm x 70 cm

Licorice Allsorts Rya Rug
Approx size: 40 cm x 70 cm

Aurora in Hemp Rya Rug
100% Hemp Yarns
Approx. size: 70 cm x 220 cm

Plant Dyed Rya Rug Yarns

Please Note:
I am not accepting custom orders for Rya Rugs at this time.
Here are a few other sources for ordering Rya rug kits and supplies.

Iltamaa
Jenni Vanhanen in Finland offers wonderful Finnish style rya rug backings and yarns.

Byrdcall Studio
Melinda Byrd sells Norwegian style rya rug kits and supplies.

For those who would like to make their own traditional style rya (ryijy) rug, I hand dyeing rya yarns using natural plant dyes. The world of plant dyes offers much variety and gentle colour to yarns. Each batch is uniquely dyed as the colour and shading varies depending on the soil and growing conditions of the plants, the acidity of the dye water and the length of time in the dyepot. This variety of colour gives a plant dyed rya rug a rich depth of shading.

These Rya Yarns have been designed to work best with the Finnish style of backing that I sell.
Traditionally, the rya pile on a Finnish rug is quite short in length.
The pile is packed quite firmly (4 threads per knot). This allows the pile to stand up quite straight, creating small points of colour in the finished piece, allowing for greater detail in the patterning.

Plant Dyed Rya Rug Yarn
The rya yarns that I currently sell are all hand dyed with natural plant dyes. I dye the yarns in small skeins of 20 grams per skein. Each skein is approx. 80 meters in length.

Below are tables that gives an estimate of how much yarn you will need depending on the size of rya rug and length of the rya pile.

Short Rya Pile – 1.5 cm
Using a 1.5 cm Rya ruler, a 1 meter length of yarn will tie approx. 12 – 15 knots.
Use 4 yarn threads per knot.

Rya Rug Size	Knots / Row	# Rows	Knots / Meter	Yarn / per Knot	Total Meters	Total Skeins
35x100cm	52	100	12	4	1733	22
45x100cm	68	100	12	4	2267	28
54x100cm	80	100	12	4	2667	33
80x100cm	120	100	12	4	4000	50
100x100cm	150	100	12	4	5000	63
120x100cm	180	100	12	4	6000	75
130x100cm	195	100	12	4	6500	82

Long Rya Pile – 2.5 cm
When designing a longer length of rya pile, the rya looks best when the pile lies more flatly, overlapping the previous row of knots.
For this type of rya rug, I recommen using 3 threads per knot.
Using a 2.5 cm Rya Ruler, a 1 meter length of yarn will tie approx. 10-12 knots.

Rya Rug Size	Knots / Row	# Rows	Knots / Meter	Yarn / Knot	Total Meters	Total Skeins
35x100cm	52	100	10	3	1560	20
45x100cm	68	100	10	3	2040	26
54x100cm	80	100	10	3	2400	30
80x100cm	120	100	10	3	3600	45
100x100cm	150	100	10	3	4500	57
120x10cm	180	100	10	3	5400	68
130x100cm	195	100	10	3	5850	74

Plant Dyed Organic Wool Yarns

I use high quality organic worsted spun wool for my hand dyed rya rug yarns. The yarns are quite soft to the touch. Rya rugs are not designed to be used as a floor rug but are meant to be hung on a wall as a tapestry and family heirloom. Please treat your hand made ryijy with care, so that you can pass it on to future generations. Plant dyes are more sensitive to gentle fading. Please hang your rya rug in a place that is not in direct sunlight, to help preserve the brightness of the colours.

All of my hand dyed yarns are now sold through my Etsy and EBay shops.

Paivatar Yarn on Etsy
Paivatar Yarn on EBay

Small Size Rya Rug Kits

Please note: I am currently working on a new series of Rya Rug Kits. These will be based on the traditional Finnish style of ryijy matto.
You may also purchase rya backing and Plant Dyed Rya Rug Yarns so that you can design your own handmade rya rug.

The pure wool yarns are a finer weight than those of my previous rya rug kits and are designed with a shorter pile length and are not designed to be a ‘shaggy’ style of rya.

Ikkuna 2015 Rya Rug	Ikkuna 2015 Rya Rug Kit Approx. size: 50 cm x 50 cm
Vortex in Blue Rya Rug	Vortex in Blue Rya Rug Kit Approx size: 50 cm x 50 cm
Prime 17 Rya Rug	Prime 17 Rya Rug Kit Approx. size: 40 cm x 70 cm
Diamonds and Tears Rya Rug	Diamonds and Tears Rya Rug Kit Approx. size: 50 cm x 50 cm
Solar Sky Rya Rug	Solar Sky Rya Rug Kit Approx. size: 40 cm x 70 cm
Licorice Allsorts	Licorice Allsorts Rya Rug Kit Approx. size: 40 cm x 70 cm

Walls Walk Artists

Walls Walk Artists
Disparate Art
21 July – 2 August
Oxmarket Centre of the Arts

We are three friends and neighbours who live overlooking the historic wall in Chichester:

Peter Stoakley – colour blind amateur photographer who “takes a good photo”

Robert Lane – creates fine impressions around Chichester

Päivi Suomi – expert weaver and felter who uses ancestral Finnish and Saami techniques in a modern context

History of the Rya Rug

In Scandinavian countries, Rya rugs (ryijy matto) have been found dating back to the early 1400’s. They were used as blankets or sled coverings, the knotted side being closest to the body providing warmth. The Ryas at this time were mainly of natural wool colours, natural white, grey, black.

The Rya developed further with the use of colour and pattern. Decorative ryas date back to the 1700’s. In Finland, as a wedding approached, a weaver would be commissioned to weave a Rya for the young couple. The Rya was used as a prayer rug during the wedding ceremony. The bridal couple would kneel on the Rya as they exchanged their wedding vows. The colourful tapestry was then displayed in their home as a reminder of their wedding day. If one of the spouses passed away, the Rya would then be spread on the bed during the day and the Rya became known as a widow’s blanket. The Rya rug became a family heirloom to be passed on to future generations. In Finland, the commissioned weaving of a wedding Rya is still a tradition today.

In the 70’s the Rya rug again became fashionable, with designers such as Eames using bright and bold colours and pop art designs. The pile was long and shaggy. The shag rugs were used as decorative floor coverings.

An exhibition of some of my latest loom woven Rya Rugs

Solar Sky Rya Rug
Approx size: 45 cm x 70 cm

Diamonds and Tears Rya Rug
Approx size: 50 cm x 50 xm

Vortex in Blue Rya Rug
Approx size: 45 cm x 50 cm

Prime 17 Rya Rug
Approx size: 40 cm x 70 cm

Undulations Rya Rug
Approx size: 40 cm x 70 cm

Aurora in Hemp Rya Rug
100% Hemp Yarns
Approx. size: 70 cm x 220 cm

Bespoke Rya Rugs

These Scandinavian style rya rugs are handwoven using fine quality, pure wool yarns. All of the rya yarns that I use are hand dyed at the time of the order. Hand dyed yarns have slight variations in colour giving the rug an additional depth of shading.
The rya knot yarns are fairly short, and closely sett, resulting in a soft pile that stands about 1.5 – 2.0 cm in height. The finished rugs are plush and very soft to the touch.

I am not currently weaving rya rugs as I am working on other commissions. I will resume making rya rugs again in October/November. Pleae enquire for more information and pricing.

PLEASE NOTE:
These “Rya Rugs” are designed to be hung on a wall as a piece of art. Using a Rya as floor or area rug is not recommended.

Sadly, over the years I have received many emails from rya rug owners, asking how to repair the hole in their rug that was created by a table or chair leg. A repair is possible sometimes, but this should not have happened. Ryas are traditionally used as a bed covering or a wall hanging. A Rya should be treated as a treasured piece of art, hung on the wall, not on the floor and can last for a lifetime when cared for properly.

Rya Rug Weaving Workshops
I will be offering rya rug weaving workshops where you will learn how to weave a rya rug using a table loom or a floor loom. In this method of rya making, the rya knots are made at the same time as the background cloth is woven.
For more information please visit
Scandinavian Weaves Workshop.
I will also add updates about current workshops offered via Twitter.

More about Rya Rugs:

Rya Rug Backing

Rothko Rya Rug Kits

History of the Rya Rug
#ryarug #rya #rya #rothko

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.

Unfortunately, since I had surgery recently that caused damage to my arm, I am no longer able to weave large pieces on my floor looms.

I am very pleased to say that I have been able to source lovely rya backing fabrics that have been handwoven in Finland.
The warp is 100% linen yarn.
The weft is pure Finnish wool.

The rya backing can be ordered in a variety of widths.
Prices shown are per Meter length.

Update May 2021:
As I live in the UK – Due to Brexit – I am unable to order supplies from Finland anymore. Please contact Jenni Vanhanen in Finland who will be happy to supply you with the Finnish style of rya rug backings.

Iltamaa
Jenni Vanhanen in Finland offers wonderful Finnish style rya rug backings and yarns.

Byrdcall Studio
Melinda Byrd sells Norwegian style rya rug kits and supplies.

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

Backing Width CM	Backing Width Inches	Knots per Row	Rows Per Meter
35 cm	14 inches	52 knots	100 rows
45 cm	18 inches	68 knots	100 rows
54 cm	21 inches	80 knots	100 rows
80 cm	32 inches	120 knots	100 rows
100 cm	40 inches	150 knots	100 rows
120 cm	48 inches	180 knots	100 rows
130 cm	52 inches	195 knots	100 rows

I am updating this website on a regular basis with new hand dyed yarns, handwoven items and other products. If you would like to keep informed of the latest developments, please Subscribe to my new Newsletter.

The spacing between each Rya knot row is 1 cm
For this design of rya backing fabric, 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 such as a Sport or DK weight, 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.

Sirelius - Rya Knots — Sirelius – Rya Knots

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

All rya products are 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
I also now 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 Stick 2.5 cm
£8.00 Add to cart

All of my hand dyed and hand spun yarns are now sold through my Etsy and EBay shops.

Paivatar Yarn on Etsy
Paivatar Yarn on EBay

Rya Instructions

Stitching a Rya Rug
A rya rug can be either woven and knotted on a floor loom or the backing can be woven first and then the knotted pile design can be hand stitched onto woven backing.
I have provided written instructions on these rya making methods on my All Fiber Arts website.
The Finnish Rya is made of knotted wool(with about a 1 – 1.5 inch pile), tied to a handwoven fabric backing. The special rya backing is woven using linen warp and wool weft. The backing is woven with spacing to allow the rya knots to be tied or sewn in.

How to Stitch a Rya Rug – All Fiber Arts

How to Weave Rya Rug Backing Canvas – All Fiber Arts

How to Stitch a Rya Rug

PLEASE NOTE:
These “Rya Rugs” are designed to be hung on a wall as a piece of art. Using a Rya as floor or area rug is not recommended.

Sadly, over the years I have received many emails from rya rug owners, asking how to repair the hole in their rug that was created by a table or chair leg. A repair is possible sometimes, but this should not have happened. Ryas are traditionally used as a bed covering or a wall hanging. A Rya should be treated as a treasured piece of art, hung on the wall, not on the floor and can last for a lifetime when cared for properly.

More About Rya Rugs
History of the Rya Rug
Bespoke Rya Rugs
Rya Rug Backing Fabric
How to Weave Rya Rug Backing Canvas

Rya Rug Stick 2.5 cm