In a fix over what to get your kids that will make for
- a great family bonding activity
- give the promise of a super fun filled time
- provide a lesson in being innovative and green
- practice to develop the crafter’s hands or simply to instil the love for it (craft), and
- to keep a certain tradition/legacy alive.
Well then why not try your hands at crocheting a rag rug? The fun of making it is only superseded by usefulness of the end product.
Rag rugs have been around and existed in the traditions of various communities around the world for centuries. It is not a new art, which only goes to prove that people back then were simply more mindful about wasting and innovative to recycle and reuse in fashions we only wish we knew how today.
I’m sure this one will bring back memories because many of our grandmother or mother used to crochet rag rugs. Back then, I’m sure many among us weren’t very proud to display the use of the rag rug. I guess we perceived it to a form of poverty or sort, a shame that we’d all rather not let anyone know (just for the record, there’s no shame in being poor and certainly no shame being thrifty – someone youth tends to make us blind to that) but today it’s a whole different story.
Rag rugs are beautiful classic artworks and they can fetch a very fancy price. Don’t be surprised to see it selling for over $100 a piece! Yes, they sell for more than the conventional manufactured rugs; makes you regret about being ashamed of the art and not picking it up from your beloved grandma doesn’t it?
Well that’s just the thing, because many of us decided not to learn the beautiful craft and now when the world has learned to appreciate it (whether for the reason of being green, bringing back the feeling of nostalgia or it’s just somehow become fashionable is a subjective matter, the bottom line is nowadays there’s a demand for these rugs) these rags are being introduced as though it were a new innovative craft.
If you learned this craft when you were young, teach it to your children. If you didn’t but you’d like to learn then you can always buy a ‘recycled rag rug kit’ that conveniently comes with the materials, tool and an instruction book (not sure grandma would approve of this kit but that’s just my family) or simple attend classes (yes, that same craft you didn’t want to pick up from your mom is now something many people actually pay for).
For those familiar with the craft, you’ll know that you can crochet more than just rugs. The possibilities are endless (you can make baskets, purses, totes, garlands, decorations, etc) and with the right combination of rag colours you can make a very very elegant and beautiful rag crochet item.
