Vintage Thingies Thursday ~Hooked Rugs~

It is Thursday already? Just seems like we had Thursday. But it is becoming one of my favorite days of the week, because it gives me a good excuse to use my blog, which for some reason has morphed into a "quilting blog", to show some of the eclectic things I collect in this old house. If you would like to find out more about how you can join in too, and make Thursdays a special day on your blog, click the apron lady above to find out how.

They say that if you have five of something, then you have a collection. Well I only actually have three of these vintage hooked rugs. So I will add two of my own. The one above I remember in my step-grandma's house all the years I was growing up. I can almost smell the all the kitchen smells just looking at it. The painted metal can thing was also hers. I can't remember what she kept in it, but it is now where I keep my balls of cotton crochet thread.
The rug above is one I picked up at a flea market. It isn't quite as vibrant in color, but I like it anyways. These rugs were made commercially in the first half of the 20th century, and were quite popular. You could also buy kits and make them yourself.

The one below is a true treasure. This one my grandma made herself.. and not from a kit. She drew her own pattern. I never had a chance to know my grandma on my mother's side, but Mom told me this was a very special piece, and I know that it is. I don't keep it out on the floor of course, and have actually rolled it up in a cloth and have it stored away in my cedar chest.. as it is becoming fragile. But the colors are still stunning. The bright red in the flowers was made using strips of wool cut from the lining my my mom's cape she wore to nursing school in the 1940's. I have a piece of that lining which she saved.Grandma used this rug hook made by my great grandfather in the late 1800's. This is a most wonderful hook. It is very sharp to pierce down through the burlap, and the hook is sharp too.. like a fish hook almost.. very easy to grab the wool strips and pull them back up to make the loops. The curve also makes it easy to hold, and easy to work on a rug with..
..I have made some rugs myself using it.
yuck.. the colors on the one below aren't great. I took this picture with my old camera.. and don't have this rug anymore or I would retake it. It is a fun thing to do. But it takes me a long time.
Hope you enjoyed my rugs. Now I am off to see what everyone else is showing today. If you would like to see too, go visit Confessions of an Apron Queen and find the list of participants.. plus she is showing some very wonderful things there today herself.