That was a cute story, thanks for sharing it with us. Her purses sound like a neat idea too. Probably very colorful. I've never seen a "pondering pool" either. That sounds neat. Nice to have on a workstation or a windowsill, especially with a word to meditate on. I've never considered doing four craft shows in one day! Whew! Luvs

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You can find quite a few free rug patterns at crochetpatterncentral.com. I am adding a link below with a video to teach you how to make a beginning chain and then single crochet. If you want to make a square or rectangle rug using what you learn in that video, you would just make a chain the length you want your rug to be and then make as many rows as it takes to make your rug square. You will need to make 1 chain at the end of each row and turn your work and single crochet across the row. If you want to make a square or rectangle rug in rounds, that is a different technique and you will need to know how to make a ring and join with a slip stitch. Google it and you should find lots of places with videos or photo tutorials that will help you. It is still really basic crochet, but you will need to know how to increase stitches at the corners. I believe I used a K hook when I made rugs many years ago. Also, if you have a nice piece of material that you want to cut into one long strip, this site has a tutorial on how to do that so that you don't have to do the knot thing: http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the_life_and_times_of_thi/2006/10/rag_rug_tutoria.html There is only a slight advantage to cutting or tearing the strips on the bias and that is that the fabric has a little more give. Won't really make a difference in the finished product, but it will be slightly easier to crochet. I say slightly because working with fabric and huge hooks does tend to be hard on your hands. I would be happy to help you if you run into any trouble. Here is a link that might be useful: learn to crochet

Rag rugs are such fun to make and there are so many ways you can make them. Somewhere I came across a method where you use cotton clothesline and wrap it with strips of cotton, then start forming it into a circle or oval using your widest zig zag to stitch it together. I tried a little of it and it does seem to work.Like Huggybear, most of the rugs I've made have been crocheted. I have used old sheets in reasonably good condition and dyed them to colours I want even if they have a pattern. Once they're cut into strips and crocheted they can be quite attractive. Have you tried "Googling" making rag rugs? I know you'll come up with something. Also try "Googling" Rugmaker's Homestead. They have a great site on rug making and I have ordered little booklets from them on various methods of making rag rugs. The booklets are only $3 or $4 each. Good luck in your search.