Border Doodles
I spent some free time in the Doctor’s waiting room. On a scrap of paper I played around with some ideas. The upper right is my current idea for the border around the rug. I liked how the roses barge into the circle border. The two rugs to the left will be patterns available through Spruce Ridge Studios.
When I originally started this rug, I hooked the stair risers as tests for the border. This was such a fundamental element of how I started the design, that it was hard to let go. The rose I am using in the border is different from the roses in the center of the rug. This is the rose from Queen Anne Rose stair riser. So I am using some of the design, just now how I originally intended.
I spread the rug out on the livingroom floor and placed paper cut outs where I wanted the roses for the border. Below are photos showing how I drew up the individual designs using a fat marker. After I cut them out, it is easy to move them around until I have an arrangement I like. I am not going to get too worried about having them exactly spaced. I like the slightly “off” look better. When things are perfect, they are stiff and boring.
One example is the line around the circle border. I originally hooked three lines perfectly in the ditch. There was something wrong, it was too perfect. I ripped out and rehooked the center line allowing myself to meander three holes on each side of the center line, trying not to make a pattern . Then I hooked a row tight against each side. Wonderfully planned randomness!
Rug with paper patterns laid out for the border
Closeup of paper patterns
Hello fellow Ohioan!
I feel honored to have the chance to email you about your rug. I was cruising the web this morning and stumbled on this blog. What a cool thing you are doing by sharing the process of making your rug! Thank you.
I, too, am designing a rug for my bedroom. I love Persian rugs because of the detail and their long history. Therefore, I decided to make my rug with a Persian rug flair.
Your blog about the room size rug is helping very much. I have the center area figured out, but became stuck when it came to the borders. I think I will follow your logic by not drawing them yet. As you indicated, they will probably change anyway! LOL.. :) However, I think my rug’s borders will be easier than yours because you have so much more freedom in yours. I want that Persian look, so it limits me.
I do like your trick with throwing a lighter color as your outline to show off your scrolls. You are an inspiration! I can’t thank you enough.
I would like to know where I can order “room size” rug patterns. Yours is beautiful! Can you help me out? I have done lots of small rugs and runners but cannot find like a 4′ round rug pattern or 6′ x 8′ pattern. I would love to do one for my entryway. Thank you!