Proggie, Proddie . . .

This is the book I bought yesterday and am enjoying reading. I have put it together with my photo of another of the rag rugs in the exhibition, the one that has been used for the cover of the book. I do like the skilful way the different colours have been used to convey the landscape, just like the Highland Cow I posted yesterday. 

I was pleased that so many liked the rugs, they are very special. I just wanted to add a bit of information that I could not yesterday as my text was getting too long. 

Regarding Winifred’s husband, Ben Nicholson. Some people pointed out that they knew the same Ben Nicholson as the husband of Barbara Hepworth. Quite right. Winifred and Ben were married in 1920 and they had three children. Then in 1932, when the children were still quite young, Ben left Winifred for the artist Barbara Hepworth, whom he later married. 

Regarding rag rugs. There is a long history of the craft and many books have been written about it. There are two main kinds and they are known by many different names, depending on which part of the country they are being made in. One involves short pieces of fabric which are hooked and looped into the backing Individually. This makes a more ‘shaggy’ surface and I imagine many people have memories of these being around when they were children. I once went with a friend on a workshop to do this - it was great fun, but I don’t think I ever finished the small piece we started and haven’t done any since. The method used in the exhibition rugs involve longer lengths of fabric that are more woven through the backing. Much more complex designs can be worked with this method. 


Steady rain here all day - hasn't stopped the 'trotting' round the roads - clip clop, clip clop.