Thursday, October 17, 2013

Knitted Mat

My mom used to make braided rugs. 
 
Source:  http://yarn14760.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/braided-rug-class/

Just small rugs to use in the kitchen.  She braided them by hand for many years by cutting up whatever scraps of woolen clothing she could from cast-offs.  She saved until she had enough for a rug, then a new rug would appear.  She never quite got the hang of making them to lie flat, but they were thick and warm on the bare floor.  All those small oval mats are gone with time now.
 
When she got a large loom and began weaving, she discovered that weaving mats worked out much better and were easier to make.  Woven mats started appearing all through the house then.
 
The two rugs on the right were made using yarn, the others were made using clothing scraps.
And once she started weaving, there were more than just clothing scraps ... now she had weaving scraps, and the rugs took on a more refined look.

 
Our house in the country was always very cold as my father liked to conserve energy.  Even on the coldest winter days, the thermostat never rose above 62'F ... I will forever remember how cold I always was in the winter and how I would have to layer two sweaters on and still feel the chill.  Dad never wavered.  So Mom made bright little rugs, and at least there was a spot of warmth under our feet in front of the kitchen sink!
 
 
She gave us all some woven rugs while she was still alive.  When she passed away, I scooped up the remaining rugs that were left kicking around their abandoned house and now use them in our camping trailer ... they make such a nice little bit of coziness when we're out in the woods. 
 
 
 
I don't have an old paper bag full of clothing scraps like Mom had, nor the inclination to make any braided rugs, and Mom's loom was sold after she passed away.  But I do have this small basket of very rough, chunky pure wool from Mom's stash.  In looking at the rugs, I can see some of this yarn was used in the making of her woven rugs.


 The colours are so rich ... jewel tones ... and they remind me of my mom and her love of rich colours.  I also have a set of very large, size 12 mm, knitting needles from Mom which I had actually put in the goodwill bag just last week (thankfully, I hadn't dropped the bag off yet).  I didn't think I would ever want to knit with such awkward-looking needles.  I dragged them out of the goodwill bag this morning ...


I started thinking about that thick yarn and those rugs Mom used to make, and I thought I could try making this stash of wool into a bright knitted rug for the bathroom.
 
I did a test swatch to see how it would look using these mammoth needles, and the result was not half bad!   I just have to get used to the size of these needles!

 
I think I'll try to mimic the braided rug effect and have long strips of colour and then knit them all together.  It would work really well if I had a circular needle in this size, but I don't, so I'll just work with what I have.  I hope this works out to what I can picture in my head.  I'm just worried the joining of the strips together might make too bulky of a seam on the underside of the rug ... we'll see.  If anyone has any suggestions, they're most welcome.
 
Temperatures are dropping outside today ... I think our late summer-like weather is moving on ... so it's a good initiative to work on some cozy knitting.
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Wendy
 
 

43 comments:

  1. Wendy,
    I love your story about Mother and Father and growing up! All of the beautiful and delicate intricacies of your lives woven together much like the rugs which your Mother made! I am so thrilled that you have this vintage yarn and knitting needles to make your own treasured rugs. I can't wait to see the finished product:)
    You and I must have been in the same frame of mind this week, remembering our Parents-weren't we Blessed!
    Warm Fall Hugs,
    Jemma

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    1. Thank you Jemma ... yes, I often think back to my mom and what she used to make when I'm planning a new knitting project. I think she would approve of this one.

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  2. These rugs are fantastic works of art, you mom was very talented and obviously hard working too. I like the rainbow of colors. Nice post.

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    1. Thanks Terra ... I agree that the rugs are works of art. They're all so hard-wearing too, so there's quite a few years of use left in them.

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  3. They are beautiful rugs, and that yarn, well stunning colours....yes all very cosy! :) x

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    1. Thanks Ada ... the yarn is not exactly in "today's" colours of soft pastels, but they should look right when all knit into stripes together.

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  4. Oh Wendy those rugs are gorgeous!!! How amazing to have pieces from your mom!!! I just love your story about your youth and how cold your home was!! Made me smile!! Your mom was so talented... I would frame one because they are so beautiful! I'm glad you didn't get rid of your large needles because it looks awesome!!! I have been teaching myself to knit and am really enjoying it! All the best today friend!!

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    1. Thanks Nicole ... my mom would be secretly pleased with all these compliments over her "scatter mats" as she called them. These are a bit too large to frame, but maybe hanging from a pole like they do with quilts would be an interesting way of displaying them. Thanks for this great idea! I taught myself to knit too ... a very worthwhile skill to learn. Good luck in your progress :)

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  5. So lovely that you saved these rugs and that you have such lovely memories. xx

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    1. I maybe saved too much from my parents' home, but I just couldn't let these homey treasures be cast away.

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  6. What a lovely tribute to your mum - I can just imagine how welcome these bursts of colour would have been in such cold weather. Wonderful that you are able to use up the rest of the wool - what about joining the strips with a simple slip stitch? Jane x

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    1. Thanks Jane ... I'll have to check out that stitch, and wonder if it's the same as whip stitch? That's what I was considering to make the seam less bulky. I've been looking this up on google too, and there's a few ideas there to help me out.

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  7. Those rugs are gorgeous! I've always liked this kind of thing but I've only ever had very cheap ones from Walmart. Enjoy these lovely family heirlooms.

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    1. I too have the cheap-O ones at my doorways (don't want my lovely handmade woven rugs to get spoiled!).

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  8. Ooh I love those rugs Wendy ... so glad you rescued them! Looking forward to seeing your finished rug too

    Love Claire xxx

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    1. Aren't they cozy looking? These would look great on some hardwood floors ... too bad I don't have any! Hopefully this will knit up quickly & the reveal won't be long away. Happy weekend to you Claire :)

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  9. Your rugs are absoluely gorgeous and hold so many precious memories.
    irene
    xxxx

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    1. Hello Irene, and welcome to my blog! It's amazing how one little piece of homemade goodness can hold so many memories isn't it? Enjoy your day! :)

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  10. Your rugs are fabulous on their own, and that your mother's hands made them makes them priceless. True treasures. I grew up with rag rugs scattered about the home, mostly ones made by my mummo (grandmother). In childhood, I remember gazing in awe at her loom. It seemed so complex and so deliciously homey. I would love to make some rugs myself someday. Actually, I've bookmarked a few knit rug patterns recently, but haven't yet decided how to proceed. And yes, knitting with giant needles is most awkward!

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    1. I was sorry to see my mom's loom go, but none of us knew how to weave, and I just didn't think I would take the time to learn (let alone find space for the loom in my home!). But Mom sitting at the loom in the living room and the rhythmic "thunk, thunk, thunk" filled a lot of winter days :)

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  11. Backin the 70s those woven mats were all the rage - I had them in our home, but didn't make them myself. Unfortunately we don't repurpose clothes and fabrics like our previous generations.
    Judith

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    1. I guess then there was a need to save and repurpose to save money and let nothing go to waste. I think many crafty people still do repurpose clothing & fabric and many younger people are finding the charm of 'vintage' fabrics. But the necessity for it is definitely not the motivation.

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  12. Ha! Colin's not as bad as your Dad, but the house doesn't usually get over 18C in the winter. The grain stove can only generate so much heat. I need to get some rugs for out in the kitchen. The back wall has so many cracks my pot cupboard actually goes below freezing.

    If you find the big needles awkward, get a pair of circulars. That way the work lays on your lap, not dangling off the ends of the big needles. I use circular for nearly all my knitting. I find them so much more comfortable.

    Paula

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    1. My parents' house was heated with a furnace that was half wood burning and half oil. When we got the wood-burning half going, the house stayed really warm because you couldn't control the temperature as well ... it just stayed hot :) Wow ... 18C isn't much better though is it! Good thing you know how to knit warm woolies! I would use circulars, but didn't want to have to buy them. These 12 mm were free & available. I'm trying a few different ideas with this at the moment, and I think it'll knit up quick once I get my mind set. Thanks Paula!

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  13. Love, love your rugs!!! If it were not for the need of having a loom, I'd try to make one. I can´t wait to see your version...

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    1. Thanks Ana! Although my mother had the loom, it wasn't something I wanted to learn. It all looked so complicated to get set up. But she really loved working on it.

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  14. I never learned to knit so I have no suggestions - I bet you could find a you tube video about joining the strips together. Just a thought. Your mats are so retro... it is a fun look for a house or while camping in the woods! Very cool, friend!

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    1. Thanks Stacy ... I did have a look around for ideas, and have come to a decision and it's all in the works!

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  15. Your mother was just as talented as you! I 'm in love with the colors she used.....and it's so nice you have the rugs as a memory of her. Fabulous!

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    1. I think my mother had quite a bit more talent than me. And she had so much patience to work through so many projects. She really liked the vibrant rich colours!

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  16. What wonderful warming rugs Wendy - the colours themselves are enough to start a warm glow! Fabulous that you are knitting your own stripey version! Looking forward to seeing its progress.
    Ali x

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    1. Thanks Ali! The rugs are nice and cozy too as they're all wool. I got straight to work on this rug on Friday, and it's coming along quite quickly with the chunky wool and large needles.

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  17. The rugs are wonderful ... little rustic works of art (I hope that sounds like the compliment it's meant to be, rustic is one of those words I worry has different connotations on different continents).

    I shall be fascinated to see the progression of that knitting :)

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    1. My mother was all about 'rustic', so your comment is very fitting :) I'm just using up the last of the wool now, and hope to finish it in a day or so ... but boy! my hand is just aching from this knitting!

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  18. Both my grandmothers made braided rugs and so I felt very nostalgic seeing that opening image. I remember the rugs didn't always lay flat either! I really love the rugs that your Mom made on the loom. They are such bright and happy colors! Your knitting project sounds great and I am sure the rug will be nice when finished.

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    1. It's nice how these rugs seem to evoke good memories with everyone. Close to the finish of my own rug now!

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  19. I love the look of rag rugs and the ones your mom made are absolutely gorgeous! So bright and colorful and beautiful! How nice to have and use them and know that they were made by her. I'm sure your knitted rug will turn out just fine. Have a great week. Tammy

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    1. Rag rugs do have a very old-fashioned charm about them, don't they. I've only got a couple of balls of wool to finish up now ... and they knit up very fast! Enjoy your week Tammy :)

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  20. Your mums rugs are beautiful, how lovely to have this lovely reminder of your mum. I can remember my mum making rugs too when I was small but sadly they disappeared long before she died. I have made shaggy rugs with yarn clippings in the past but have never knit one. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this turns out. :)

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    1. Thanks Linda, my mother would be tickled to hear how much everyone admires her "scrap" rugs. I didn't realize the multitude of ways in which to knit these rugs. It really does get your ideas going in different directions!!

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  21. What a wonderful story and I just adore those rugs. How lovely that you still have and use them. Good luck with your project and I hope you find a way of dealing with the 'ends'
    Suzy x

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    1. Thanks Suzy! I love these little homemade pieces. And you're right, I do have quite a few ends to weave in ... that should take just as long as it took to knit the rug!

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  22. I love the idea of the knitted rug... you better watch out it could prove to be addictive like I've discovered that continuous strand weaving is!!! I'm just saying... lol!
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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