The Braided Rug Page 4

        Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4 - Page 5 - Page 6 - Page 7 - Page 8

THE DESIGN
A good simple design is planned as follows: The center of seven rows is of the medium blue. Outside of this there are four rows of mixed blue and white, the blue predominating since the braid is made of two strands of blue and one of white. Following this, come four rows of the reverse: that is, of the braid made of two strands of white and one of blue. Next, are two rows all of white, then one row entirely blue, then two rows more all of white. After this come four rows of a braid composed of two strands of white and one of blue. The finish, or border, is five rows of braid made of two strands of blue and one of white.

See our Crocheted Rag Rug Kits that we have for sale!

This plan gives the rug a dark center surrounded by bands of graduating color going from dark to light. This is followed by an emphatic note of contrast made by the bands or rows of solid color, first white, then blue, then white again; the white should be, of course, the creamy tone of the unbleached muslin. These contrasting bands are followed in their turn by more rows of the mixed braids, graduating this time from light to dark, thus bringing the darker tone on the edge and finishing the rug in the most practical manner. Edges al-ways get more wear and therefore soil more quickly.

BRAIDING THE RUG
In the actual making take three folded strands of blue and holding the ends together, sew them. Pin or tie these at the end where they are sewed, to something heavy so that they may be firm and taut while braiding. Braid them together until within three inches of their ends. Then pin or tie these ends so the braid will not unravel. Measure off four-teen inches of it from the end where the braiding was started and double it together to form a loop. Sew this together_ (over-hand) along the inside edges of the braids, beginning to stitch where the three strands were first over-handed and working down toward the other end of the loop, which is the rounder end, as shown in one- of the illustrations. Go back now and take the loose end of the braid and over-hand it round the two first rows and go on thus until counting from side to side seven rows are sewed.

Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4 - Page 5 - Page 6 - Page 7 - Page 8

The Craft Of Handmade Rugs - View The Rest Of The Book

Introduction - Some Old Time Rugs  - A Word About Dyes - The Scalloped Doormat Or Tongue Rug
The Knitted Rug - The Crocheted Rug - The Hooked Rug In Cotton And Wool - The Needle-Woven Rug
The Colonial Rag Rug - Some Applications - Newer Methods Of Stencil Making - The Tufted Counterpane
Old Time Lights - The Batik Or Wax Resist Process