A Simple Rag Rug

 Are you one who appreciates things of the past?  Or have you noticed how some things that were common and practical are now obsolete, but appreciated by those 'in the know'?  I think that rag rugs fall into this category.  Authentic rag rugs are hard to come by these days.  Replicas can be bought in country-themed shops, but they are usually fastened by monofilament threads that stitch the knotted strips together rather than hooking and looping for one-piece fabrication.  Monofilament threads break apart over time and the rug falls apart.  In comparision, crocheted rag rugs will withstand hard use and many washings.  The art of rag rugs making made a come-back in the 1970's and I remember my mother skillfully creating one that she used on her stoop for years to come.  But hers were nothing in comparison to Grandmother's magnificent rag rugs made from wool scraps.  They were large enough to visually anchor a dining room table and chairs, or to fill the space in front of a hearth in the family room.  Mother's were a recreation.  Grandmother's were authentic to the core.  Such beauty, warmth, and grace they added to her home.  The art is not to be lost!  Simple projects, like chair pads or small rugs for the front door can still be made.  Scraps of cotton or wool can be saved from other projects and successfully used for rag rugs over time.  Old garments, recycled for a project like this, cut costs and save resources.  Essentially any type of fabric will work, but natural fibers, like cotton and wool, will provide the most enduring value and effectiveness when it comes to the helping the rug achieve its duty as welcome mat and cozy covering.

If you would like to try your hand at this art, instructions can be found here.