Happy New Year! For January’s rug of the month, Ania has chosen to highlight an older project. This project is “Paisley Boteh.” The pattern was designed by Anita White. The rug is 12″ by 23″ and it was hooked with #4 strip wool.
Check out images of the completed project below, and read on to learn about how Ania made her creative decisions for this project.
Why did you decide to take on this project?
I was assigned this project as a “Show and Tell” rug, as a part of my McGown Certification. I like paisley very much though, and so I was very excited to take on this project.
As this project was my “Show and Tell” rug, I also completed a write-up on it, which included research into the history and origins of the boteh, and how the boteh motif eventually became known as the paisley motif. It was very interesting to learn about the traditions around how paisley motifs are portrayed in rugs.
How did you color plan for this project?
As part of my research, I learned the traditional colors used in rugs containing the paisley or boteh motif include reds, blues, gold, creams, browns, and greens. This is a very broad set of colors, and some of them are incorporated in my rug.
When I began color planning I started with the primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), in the outer border of the pattern. I also continued this theme in the whipping by using red and blue yarn to whip the rug.
For the central panel, which includes the two paisleys and the background, I used secondary colors (orange, green, and purple). The secondary colors are created from the primary colors, and so I thought they would complement each other well.
Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about this rug?
If you try to imagine a rug with this much color in it, it might seem like it’s too much. However, if you consider color theory, it can work. This rug starts with the primary colors on the outer edges of the rug, and graduates inwards to the secondary colors. By framing the rug in this manner, you create a way in which the eye can keep moving across the rug without any abrupt disruption.
As a more general note, this rug appealed to me for two reasons: 1) I like paisleys, and 2) I like symmetry. I’m a big fan of symmetry, and breaking something down to the simplest components. This particular rug is a great example of point symmetry. Point symmetry is when each part of the pattern has a matching part the same distance from the central point but in the opposite direction.
The next time you buy a pattern to hook, look for the pattern of symmetry in it! You will be amazed at how it simplifies the pattern.
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them for Ania below.
My Mother's a Hooker 