“You may easily have a rug of that description,” continued her Aunt.  “With a package of brown dye, we can quickly transform some light, woolen carpet rags I possess into pretty shades of browns and tans.”

[Illustration:  Rug]

“For a circular rug, with design in centre resembling a pin-wheel, commence crocheting the rug same as preceding one.  Crochet three rows of one color, then mark the rug off into four parts, placing a pin to mark each section or quarter of the rug.  At each of four points crochet one stitch of a contrasting shade.  Crochet once around the circle, using a shade similar to that of the centre of rug for design, filling in between with the other shade.  For the following row, crochet two stitches beneath the one stitch (not directly underneath the stitch, but one stitch beyond), filling in between with the other color.  The third row, add three stitches beneath the two stitches in same manner as preceding row, and continue, until design in centre is as large as desired, then crochet ‘Hit or Miss’ or stripes.  Do not cut off the carpet rags at each of the four points after crocheting stitches, but allow each one to remain and crochet over them, then pick up on needle and crochet every time you require stitches of contrasting shade.  Then crochet several rows around the rug with different shades until rug is the required size.  The under side should be finished off as neatly as the right, or upper side.  Mary, when not making a design, sew the rags together as if for weaving carpet.  When crocheting circular rugs, occasionally stretch the outside row to prevent the rug from curling up at edges when finished, as it would be apt to do if too tightly crocheted.  If necessary, occasionally add an extra stitch.  Avoid also crocheting it too loosely, as it would then appear like a ruffle.  The advantage of crocheting over a heavy cord is that the work may be easily drawn up more tightly if too lose.”

CHAPTER XII.

Mary imitates Navajo blankets.

On her return from an afternoon spent at Professor Schmidt’s, Mary remarked to Aunt Sarah, “For the first time in my life I have an original idea!”

“Do tell me child, what it is!”

“The ‘New Colonial’ rag rugs we have lately finished are fine, but I’d just love to have a Navajo blanket like those owned by Professor Schmidt; and I intend to make a rag rug in imitation of his Navajo blanket.”

“Yes,” answered her Aunt, “I have always greatly admired them myself, especially the large gray one which covers the Professor’s own chair in the library.  The Professor brought them with him when he returned from ‘Cutler’s Ranch’ at Rociada, near Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he visited his nephew, poor Raymond, or rather, I should say, fortunate Raymond, an only child of the Professor’s sister.  A quiet, studious boy, he graduated at the head of his class at an early