Knitted rag rugs have been in existence since the mid- 1800’s in one form or another. Knitted rag rug creations range from quite straightforward to very intricate.
The knitted rag rugs are most often made using the simple garter ( knit stitch only ) and stockinet ( knit one row, purl one row, etc . ) stitches. However, many other stitches may be employed to make more complicated rag rugs. These stitches include the reversible shingle stitch, corn-on-the-cob stitch and woven or fabric stitches.
The shapes of the knitted rugs were traditionally round, oval or rectangular. These days, many alternative shapes of knitted rugs have developed, including heart shaped, half-round, and hexagon. Also rugs known as “winding path” shapes have been manufactured by combining different types of knitted stitches, which makes for an interesting appearance. This look of mixing different stitches can also be achieved with other shapes as well.
The different types of knitted rag rugs may include : block and strip ; round ; hexagonal block ; heart knitted ; winding path ; cross woven ; and rake knitted rugs.
The block and strip knitted rugs are described as the most primitive of the knitted rugs. The reason they are described as such is that simple strips of knitted fabric are joined side-by-side to form the rug. However, they can be created with a touch more detail when blocks of knitting are laced together in a duvet style pattern. A bit more detail can be provided when hexagonal blocks are used.
Examples of round knitted rugs include coiled, bulls-eye and wedge. The bulls-eye round knitted rugs were typically employed in the Shaker colony of New York. These rugs were made with a small round knitted center ; then sections of knitted fabric strips were curved around the center in rings. To make a coiled knitted rug, begin with a narrow strip of knitting, then coil it to the center and go on with a spiral in the same continuing knitted fabric strips. The wedge knitted rugs were quite straightforward to make. They are knit in a single section on the radius of the rug.
To make a cross-woven knitted rug, knit a rug base with rag strips and include sections which are not knitted. These unknitted sections are woven across with rag strip. This leads to a steady formation with alternating strips of knitted and woven fabric strips.
Rake knitted rugs were actually manufactured by using the tines of a rake. They could also be made with a succession of pegs in a board which are similar to the teeth of a rake. A primitive knitting machine was fashioned with loops of fabric strip worked in sequence over the pegs. Spool knitting is a modification of rake knitting. These rugs are made using a hollow, wooden spool, with four pegs on top. Then the tubes of knitting are coiled, then laced together like braided rugs. Good deals on steam cleaners.
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