"NEW COLONIAL" RAG RUGS.
Several days had elapsed since that on which Mary's Aunt had planned
to use the contents of her trunk to such good advantage, when Mary,
coming into the room where her Aunt was busily engaged sewing,
exclaimed: "Don't forget, Auntie, you promised to teach me to crochet
rag rugs!"
[Illustration: A "HIT-AND-MISS" RUG]
"Indeed, I've not forgotten, and will make my promise good at once,"
said Aunt Sarah. "We shall need quantities of carpet rags cut about
one-half inch in width, the same as those used for making rag carpet.
Of course, you are aware, Mary, that heavier materials should be cut
in narrower strips than those of thinner materials. You will also
require a long, wooden crochet needle, about as thick as an ordinary
wooden lead pencil, having a hook at one end, similar to a common bone
crochet needle, only larger. For a circular rug, crochet about twelve
stitches (single crochet) over one end of a piece of candle wick or
cable cord; or, lacking either of these, use a carpet rag of firm
material; then draw the crocheted strip into as small a circle as
possible, fasten and crochet round and round continuously until
finished. The centre of a circular or oblong rug may be a plain color,
with border of colored light and dark rags, sewed together
promiscuously, called 'Hit and Miss.'
[Illustration: A BROWN AND TAN RUG]
"Or you might have a design similar to a 'Pin-wheel' in centre of the
circular rug, with alternate stripes, composed of dark and
light-colored rags."
"I'd like one made in that manner from different shades that
harmonize, browns and tans, for instance," said Mary.
"You may easily have a rug of that description," continued her Aunt.
"With a package of brown dye, we can quickly transform some light,
woolen carpet rags I possess into pretty shades of browns and tans."
[Illustration: RUG]
"For a circular rug, with design in centre resembling a pin-wheel,
commence crocheting the rug same as preceding one. Crochet three rows
of one color, then mark the rug off into four parts, placing a pin to
mark each section or quarter of the rug. At each of four points
crochet one stitch of a contrasting shade. Crochet once around the
circle, using a shade similar to that of the centre of rug for design,
filling in between with the other shade. For the following row,
crochet two stitches beneath the one stitch (not directly underneath
the stitch, but one stitch beyond), filling in between with the other
color. The third row, add three stitches beneath the two stitches in
same manner as preceding row, and continue, until design in centre is
as large as desired, then crochet 'Hit or Miss' or stripes. Do not cut
off the carpet rags at each of the four points after crocheting
stitches, but allow each one to remain and crochet over them, then
pick up on needle and crochet every time you require stitches of
contrasting shade. Then crochet several rows around the rug with
different shades until rug is the required size. The under side should
be finished off as neatly as the right, or upper side. Mary, when not
making a design, sew the rags together as if for weaving carpet. When
crocheting circular rugs, occasionally stretch the outside row to
prevent the rug from curling up at edges when finished, as it would be
apt to do if too tightly crocheted. If necessary, occasionally add an
extra stitch. Avoid also crocheting it too loosely, as it would then
appear like a ruffle. The advantage of crocheting over a heavy cord is
that the work may be easily drawn up more tightly if too lose."