The American citizen. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1888-1909, 1889-02-01
HOMEMADE RUGS.
Why They Are to He Preferred to Chea,
Imita atoms of Eastern Wnrk

household furnishings, and, withal. "a
comfortable and useful, that it is not
to be thought strange that thew grow
in popular favor each syear. Few
homes, nowadays, lack these con-
veniences, for no matter how richly
furnished, otherwise, q house NAV he /
the absence Of rugs detracts much from
its comfort. in looks, at least. There
are few things will give a house such
hOme-like appearance as a number Of
rugs scattered about the floor. For
those who can afford it, the deft hands
OF the Orient furnish models of luxur-
lance, but the majority OF people are
con ent with imitation of the Eastern
work, and the most of them very poor
limitations at that, and many of the
homemade rugs are much to be pre-
terred to them. These can be made
as artistic or plain as any one desires,
from the pretty tufted rug for parlor or
sittlng-rOom, to the common braided
or knit mat for the kitchen.
A pretty rug for the parlor or sit
ting-rOom is made as follows: Take a
piece OF burlap canvas Or coffee sack
ing the size required, and have stamped
upon 1t a pretty pattern After
matching your yarn according to col
ors IN the pattern, take a lead pencil
or round stick about the thickness Of a
pencil, and with darning needle draw
the yarn through the canvas. going
over the pencil or stick each time,
and, as the pencil fills, move it along,
and proceed as before. until the whole
surface Of the canvas is filled. A very
little thought can arrange a rug of
this kind as handsome affair, or, if
commoner one is desired, it may bemade
by using the Rawlings from old stock
ings and working without a pattern,
hit or miss.
Another pretty rug is made by taking
a piece Of burlap canvas and basting
over it a piece of coarse net canvas
such as is used for slippers. Take some
pretty tidy or table-spread pattern,
and charging as you go, work through
the canvas in cross stitch, using colOrs
to match, or that will harmonic with
the carpet on the room for which it
is intended. When the pattern is done
fill in the groundwork. then remove
the net canvas thread by thread.
Finish the ends with heavy fringe,
the color Of the groundwork. This
mat can be worked on the burlap with
out the net canvas, but it will not be
as soft and fluffy. and have as pretty a
raised look, nor will it be as easy to
work, for the broad meshes Of the net
are easily followed without any strain
ing of the eyes. Pieces Of Brussels or
tapestry used for rugs are much pref
tier for the addition Of a heavy fringe
the shade Of the prevailing color in
the carpet tied in each end.
A pretty rug for a chamber or sit
ting room is made by taking a bright
shade of yarn, and knitting strip
about five inches wide. Then dampen
and press. With sharp shears cut it
through the center lengthwise, then
ravel the cut side of each strip to
within half an inch of the other side.
Have a piece of coffee sacking as large
as you wish your mat, and around this,
beginning at the outside edge, sew the
knit strip with the fringe side on the
outside. Knit and fill the whole sur
face of the mat in this way, always
sewing each row of fringe near enough
to the previous row to conceal the
plain edge of the former. Always sew
around the mat, and work toward the
center. This makes soft, pretty rug,
and is very durable.
Although rags are so very common,
nevertheless, some very pretty mats
can be made of them. Here Is one:
Cut the rags same as for braided mats
and sew together. Take, if conven-
lent, two pretty contrasting colors ano
cast on to a coarse wooden needle
thirty-fve stitches, which is large
enough for medium-siZed mat. Knit
first across, then knit five, turn ano
60 back. Knit ten, turn and go back
and so continue increasing five each
time and return until all have beer
knit. then return. Tie on the other
color, knit five, turn, and go back, anC
SO continue same as previous row
This mat is knit in gorges and shaped
like parasol Knit until when lalc
on the floor it will lie fat, then join to
gether.
In the center will be a small clrulal
hole. which fill in this way. Cast or
the same needle three stitches and IN
crease one stitch each row until there
are eight stitches on the needle, ther
decrease one stitch each row until only
three remain, which bind of. lnser
this piece in the space in the center
This makes unique mat and will las
for years.
A crocheted rag mat is made D!
making q chain long enough Tor on
side of a square mat. then turn an'
missing the first stitch work to end Q
h; :, double crochet; turn ant