Different Types of Knots
Marjatta Hirvi
A pile surface can be created using various knots. There are no restrictions—experiment with your own variations and mix different knots in the same piece.
Basic Rya Knot
The pile is tied to two adjacent warp threads. The pile passes over two warp threads, and the ends turn up between the warp threads.
Factors Affecting Pile Structure
– Number of yarn strands per pile
– Length of pile yarns
– Different knot types
– Spacing between piles
– Spacing between pile rows
Rya knot to the left
A left-turning pile knot tied to a single warp thread.
Rya knot to the right
A right-turning pile knot tied to a single warp thread.
Partially overlapping rya knots
In a very dense pile, the next knot is tied partially over the previous one.
Knot underneath
You can also tie pile knots underneath the fabric. Here, pile rows are alternately knotted on the upper and lower sides of the fabric. In the images, there is one pile row on the upper side and two on the lower side.
Quickly forming pile
A slightly unconventional pile knot: Pass the yarn under the middle warp thread, twist it around the left warp thread from underneath, pass over the middle warp thread, and then take it under the right warp thread. The pile will turn slightly to the right.
YOU CAN FIND MORE INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEAVING THE PILE ON THE WEBSITE.
Weaving Library 3828 Tie Rya Knots. For Members Projects: Tie Rya Pile, and Digital magazine: Theme: Pile 2025.
