Tuesday, May 27, 2008

MY SECOND RUG


This was given back to me after my Mother-in-Law died. It didn't come back looking like this. I almost put it in the box to send to the dog's home but when I looked at the squares some of them had worn quite well for 25 years. The brown main colour was pretty ratty and some squares had felted very badly after being washed in hot water and others had cigarette burns where she'd fallen asleep and dropped ash on them. So I rescued the goodish ones and crocheted them into a new main colour and I'll use it as a picnic rug. I still have the pattern but it's one you have to think about as you work so I don't think I'll repeat it but this was only the second rug I ever completed so you could say it's part of the family history.
The first one was very simple and it went on the boy's bed. In first grade, the teacher used to take the kids around to each house so they all got to know their classmates and parents.
We didn't have fancy furniture, just old stuff that I could paint to match whatever colour he wanted. He suffered from Bronchitis a lot so I made a wool rug for extra warmth. In one of those moments that mothers wrap up in silver paper and pink bows and put away in their hearts, he announced to the class that the best thing in his room was this rug because, "My mum made this by herself, for me."

13 comments:

Brian Hughes said...

Very good that Witchy. Could have done with a few Norman soldiers on it and a shot of King Harold getting one in the eye, but it's still very good. Michelle tried making a patchwork eiderdown once. We still have the two squares she stitched together and then abandoned in the wardrobe somewhere.

JahTeh said...

I hate tapestry work because I can't count stitches. I've got 3 patchwork quilts just waiting to be finished but that's summer work. Wool working is for winter. Later on I made a lovely cream rug for M-i-L but she wouldn't take it out of the cellophane in case it got dirty. She preferred to burn holes in the old one. I don't miss her son but I do miss her.

JahTeh said...

I'm currently working on one that was for a Christmas present last year but if you promise not to croak I'll have one for you in 2009. It'll be good Aussie wool for you to burn holes in with those filthy fags you're still smoking.

Brian Hughes said...

Witchy,

I don't smoke in bed. Well...not unless I'm on particularly good form, of course.

Anonymous said...

Nice memory. You better look after it. We could wrap you in it when we pop you into the box or does it need more panels added?

JahTeh said...

Good thing you're leaving on a jet plane Andrew.
I am planning on being beamed into space as a shining beacon.

R.H. said...

Take no notice of that, it's probably my fault.

I have extraordinary influence on people, for the worse, unfortunately.

JahTeh said...

Rh, if only you used your powers for good.

Anonymous said...

I like that rug.

It reminds me somehow of a crocheted flower rug my Mum made. Lots of little crocheted wool flowers, made individually, then sewn together with wool, like individual wool pathes. Bright colours with black in between.

It's amazing work but I have never had the patience to do something so stupendous.

JahTeh said...

I have to admit Maria, little flowers would drive me crazy to put together. This one is a good solid rug that will last for years.

Lord Sedgwick said...

"This one is a good solid rug that will last for years."

Good. When I no longer have anything vaguely hirsute left for a suave and sostificated comb over I'll be there on your doorstep plaintively asking "You wouldn't have a spare rug for an old digger would ya missus?"

Middle Child said...

Jahteh you made me cry - thats so beautiful the way you tell it.

JahTeh said...

What do you mean "when" Sedgwick?
Anyway I know horse hair makes great coverings.

I was so proud of him, Therese. Then he went out showing off his bike and broke both bones in his leg. I'm sure that kid took years off my life.