"How to End" Video

Several folks have asked me how I finish a rug so that it doesn't look obvious where the crocheting ended. 

I hope this little video is helpful, since it is difficult for me to put into words what my hands are doing.

Perhaps you have found a better, easier way; but, for now, this seems to work alright.


Happy rug-making, friends!  :)

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

There's always a sense of "good-bye" when I finish a rug and send it off to its well-prayed-for-receiver. I've wrapped up so much thought and prayer into it that it has a little bit of me in there.

Anyway, these are off to Maryland and Montana, as they
should be!

Sixty, Sixty-One, Sixty-Two...

Out of sheer curiosity, I used the photographs that I've taken of my rugs, to count how many I've done, so far.

I knew that it was likely over 50; but, I didn't realize that I had just finished my 60th rug...a gift for a special friend in Ohio.  Although not  large, it was packed full with prayers for this fellow pilgrim, who courageously faces many an affliction, without taking her eyes off of her Lord and Savior. She is an inspiration to me.
Before I had quite finished that rug, I had begun two more, also for friends I have "met" through facebook...#61 & #62! 
                                                                                                                                                                                       

It's a race!

And She Called It "Americana"

 That may have been the fastest that I've ever made a rug! Being stuck in a vehicle for 28 hours (total) was a very good time/place to crochet. And, the whole while, I felt as if I had Kelly with me...as though she traveled to Kentucky with us. :)

This rug is a tribute to a Texan woman's persistence, perseverance, and  pluckiness! I am proud to call her "friend".

Bits and Pieces

A mess with a purpose!

My dear friend for whom these scraps are intended gets a sneak preview of her rug.

It will be composed of one of my favorite old nightgowns, two sheets, several dresses, an apron and a few pieces of remnant fabrics that were donated to me. 

Hence, the name: "RAG RUG". :)


I am in the process of sewing these strips together, so that I can take this project with me on our little excursion to Kentucky this week. Traveling is a great time for crocheting rag rugs!

One, Of Many Reasons I Rag Rug...

"A special rug made by an even more special friend! Thank you dear sister Leslie!"

 

 

 

"Sister Leslie, I have your hug in my hand! A mere "thank you" isn't big enough! I think you looked right into my heart, found the colors of who I am, prayerfully wove them together with the love of your hands and created a treasure that will be cherished in my home! I love you dear sweet friend!"

"I can hardly contain my excitement and joy! A very special box was in my mailbox...all the way from Texas. I think I skipped all the way back to the house. Inside the brown box was a most beautiful and cherished gift, lovingly made by the prayerful hands of a friend!
I thought I'd put my special rug by my chair because so often my little ones gather on the floor here to sing or read a story. They are often right there to watch when I'm doing needlework. This is the chair where I enjoy a rest after a hard day's work, and where I enjoy my coffee, quiet time and feathered friends at my window. It is where I sit for family hymn sings. So I thought such a special treasure should be somewhere that special moments are had daily."

 The reason? 

Hearts that are connected by prayer.

The Gift of Encouragement

I know from personal experience, that when I receive something from someone that their own hands have created, it brings with it, encouragement. It tells me "I have been  thinking of you, praying for you. I care. I value you."

I received such  a gift myself, just yesterday, so I know.

The rug pictured was just that - a gift of encouragement. The dear lady to whom it was sent has experienced a multitude of health challenges and painful disappointments. My response was to create a rag rug for her. 

It is my way of saying, "I care about you."  I named the rug, "Gloria Rose"...it reminded me of a rose garden. May it always impart the fragrance of the Savior's love to Gloria.

Sometimes Rugs Are Art

From the very beginning, I called this project 

"Stained Glass".

It quickly became one of my favorite rugs.

I had enough strips sewn together to make two rugs!

A small, bathroom rug for a dear friend...

and a large, oval rug that's for sale on Etsy.

"New Year's Confetti"

A basketful of colors

 That's what the colors reminded me of and that's what I called it, intending to sell this rug on Etsy.

But, my rugs take on prayers, and I found myself praying for my grandson, Antoine, and his young caregiver, Mary. It never failed, every time I picked up the rug to work on it, THAT'S who I was thinking of and praying for!

Once, my 16-year-old son walked into the room where I was busy crocheting and asked me, "Is this one for Mary?" I told him, "No, but that's who I'm praying for."



Of course, God knew all along that this rug was intended for her, and soon after-wards, I knew, too.  The cheerful, candy colors represent her sweet disposition so well. She is a bright spot in her home, in the life of my grandson and everywhere she goes.

The finished rug

The pleased recipient

The rug may be finished, but my prayers for Mary, her family and my grandson continue. I will never forget the kindness, care and love that they have shown Antoine. I hope that this simple gift will be a reminder to them of my deepest gratitude for how they have opened their home to him.