Ray Snyder

My weaving interest is focused on patterns and products that have been made by Appalachian weavers for over 200 years. Early settlers to this region brought weaving knowledge with them from Europe, and they used that knowledge to make necessary cloth for everyday use. In the American Colonial time, and before that in Europe, weaving was considered “man’s” work. In Appalachia, women did the spinning and weaving. While many of these women were illiterate, they developed written codes to pass their complex and intricate weaving patterns from one generation to the next one.

One group of weaving patterns that was used by Appalachian weavers for fine coverlets, tablecloths, napkins, etc. is called Overshot. I have been able to adapt some of the same Overshot patterns used by Appalachian weavers for my rugs. The rugs, made with my adapted Overshot patterns, reuse denim from worn out blue jeans, old bed sheets, and other discarded cloth. When I use cotton yarn, it will be new yarn. When I use wool yarn in the rug, it will be new yarn that is typically dye lot ends, discarded by the carpet industry.

My goal is to weave a useful product that contains material that is no longer useful for its original purpose. 

(See also RAY SNYDER AND BETTY KLINDT)