The history of Deen Loom Company will be revisited at a conference to be held in Clayton, New York, in the spring of 2012. Details to come...

The Weavers Friend is a biannual newsletter for weaving enthusiasts of every persuasion.

In celebration of our 20th year of publication we are offering a complete set of back issues from 1990 through 2010 (more than 40 issues in all!) for $100 plus $8 shipping.

This printed collection is a unique resource filled with useful, hands-on information on all aspects of rag rug weaving. Each issue contains a rag rug project, news about other weavers, and historical perspective on the craft.

Send money orders or checks to Janet Meany, Publisher, at 5672 North Shore Drive, Duluth, MN 55804. Checks must be in US dollars. Sorry, no Paypal or credit cards.

On the left: Finish rug weaver Rora Strom 1972 seated at her handmade loom
On the right: The Newcomb Semi automatic rug loom manufactured in the 1890s.

Hand looms have evolved throughout the centuries. Originally all looms were hand made. Then came the industrial revolutions and looms were transformed into metal weaving machines, powered by water and then by steam. However, hand weaving continued to be important. In the late 19th and 20th century, using some of the technical advances of industrial weaving equipment, specialized looms were manufactured for hand weavers who still used their own physical strength to operate the weaving equipment. Much of this web site deals with these hand weavers and their looms. Look for links to be added later to this website.

Pictured here are several rugs brought to Rag Rug Show & Tell at Convergence 2006 in Grand Rapids MI. On the left Kathy Berlincourt of Battle Creek, Michigan shows a plane weave with alpaca weft ,wool roving. The rug on the right belongs to Beverly Weaver, Colorado Springs, CO. Beverly Weaver (not pictured here) took the Convergence photographs. More on Convergance 2006 Rag Rug Show & Tell later.