Authentic Crochet Rag Rug Patterns Circa – 1930/40’s

Rug Making by Penelope

A comprehensive instruction book covering all types of Rug Making

I managed to get hold of this book via the library but it is so old it has no date reference or ISBN number etc. I have researched it on the internet but can find no history of it. What a find.

The earliest library stamp on the book is 9th October, 1941 but the photographs and pictures would suggest that it was compiled and created at some point in the 1930’s.

I am fairly certain that there are no copyright laws that might prohibit it from being documented here it is obviously out of print at this point. . The book covers a multitude of rug making techniques and traditional latch and hook dominates, but here I am interested solely in the crochet rag rugs.

All of these rugs have been produced using rug wool, unlike my rugs which use recycled household fabrics. However the basic pattern and instructions should apply, with necessary adjustments made, regardless of the media used.

Foreword

Throughout the centuries our women have plied the needle in one form or another. In medieval times while the menfolk were away at the crusades, tapestry work held sway and beautiful woven hangings and embroidered tapestries were created to add decoration and warmth to their rather bleak homes. It is an interesting reflection that such things of beauty should be the outcome of war and even in our own times many lovely pieces of embroidery and exquisite rugs were made by bedridden and convalescent ex-servicemen.

There is a special fascination and satisfaction in rug-making, for with the completion of each row and the gradual growth of the pattern, one finds it hard to put it on one side, in fact it is a pleasant recreation at which the whole family can join. Practically every one is born with a desire to create something beautiful and lasting, but in this modern world of rush and bustle it is not possible for many of us to find the time to make our own designs and indeed many have no aptitude for this. With this in mind our little book has been compiled, and a glance at the following pages will convince the most expert and critical observer that there are rugs to suit every taste.

Note: This page has now been rescanned so the instructions are clearer.

If any of the instructions are unclear please email me and I will try my best to clarify.

Penelope was original part of WM BRIGGS & CO Ltd, 34, Can more Street, Manchester, UK

Here are the embryonic beginnings of my most recent crochet rag rug. Here made using a 15mm crochet hook.

The rug has grown considerably since these picture but isn’t yet complete. You can see my other rag rugs through out my blogs here http://goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html and here http://goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/2009/08/crochet-rag-rug.html

I will document more of the patterns and other techniques of rug making in the future.

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