Guest Author - Iris ten Holder

Summer with its good times can inspire special designs that make the memories last all year long with its special coloring.

· The rug pattern in this article was the result of such an inspiration, and also is a good example of the use of remnants. As long as the total yarn requirement is there to make a rug, the challenge is to adapt the design and make it still work when one color threatens to run out.

· The original intent of this rug was just sand and blue skies, but when the white started to diminish, it was time to make other choices, and use more of the darker tones. The result was rather pleasing.

· Requirements for this rug:

· Golden yellow, light and dark blue, white, and two dark colors, such as black and maroon or dark blue.

· The dark colors form the design; the other colors are the fillers.

· Combinations used:
· Black and maroon for all stripes
· Bright blue and medium blue,
· Yellow and white
· Yellow and blue
· Yellow and maroon
· White (double thread)
· White and black


· Note: a rib consists of one row and a return row.
· Each rib is two stitches shorter than the previous one
· Cast on 36 stitches
· Section one
· 34 - black and maroon
· 32 - black and maroon
· 30 - yellow with white
· 28 - yellow with white
· 26 - yellow with white
· 24 - white
· 22 - black and maroon
· 20 - white
· 18 - yellow with white
· 16 - yellow with white
· 14 - yellow with white
· 12 - white
· 10 - black and maroon
· 8 - white
6 - blue and light blue
4 - blue and light blue
2 - blue and light blue

· This completes one section.
· All stitches have been used up and are two by two on one needle.

· Section 2 – Knit all stitches and follow instructions for section 1. At 14 stitches knit blue and light blue instead of yellow and white.

· In Sections 3 to 6 continue replacing the yellow and white with blue and light blue (at 16, 18, 26, 28

· In Section 7 change the last section of blue and dark blue into yellow and maroon. This is how Section 7 looks.

· 34 - black and maroon
· 32 - black and maroon
· 30 - blue and light blue
· 28 - blue and light blue
· 26 - blue and light blue
· 24 - white
· 22 - black and maroon
· 20 - white
· 18 - blue and light blue
· 16 - blue and light blue
· 14 - blue and light blue
· 12 - white
· 10 - black and maroon
8 - white
6 - yellow and maroon
4 - yellow and maroon
2 - yellow and maroon


· For sections 6 to 12 follow the same order as in Sections 1 to 6.

· In addition replace one of the white threads with black or maroon.

· This part of the rug will look darker, the idea being that this is the effect of the water flowing over the sand.

· This shifting of colors adds interest and dimension to the rug.