About rug foundation

Second type of rug foundation:
Single mesh canvas has both warp and weft threads equally spaced, and for working purposes each pair of successive threads, whether of warp or weft, is treated as one double bar of double mesh canvas, except where otherwise stated hereafter.

For single mesh canvas an evenly woven jute (see Fig. 6 on page 35), is recommended which gives 8 threads to the inch (corresponding to 4 bars to the inch of the double mesh).

It has the advantage that it is very pleasant to handle, being of a comparatively pliable texture albeit very strong, but counting its threads is more of a strain than with the double mesh type, a material factor for those who have somewhat imperfect eyesight and take up rug making as an interesting and restful hobby.

From the Otterburn Mills, Carlisle, come two other jutes known as Patterdale canvas, one (quality A) giving about 7 and the other (quality B) only about 4 threads to the inch.