Donkey Stones (& some stuff about bad wraps)

Post by **chameleon** » Mon 10 Mar, 2008 5:37 pm

Yup, Gran would do the step into the porch at the back door and the larger step at the front door every week without fail, together with the regular beating of the door mat and small rugs.It used to be against local bylaws to beat rugs on Sunday though(Probably still is!) - but dont' ask where I found that bit of scintilating info!

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Tue 11 Mar, 2008 8:43 am

Whould they have been rag rugs, made by threading bits of old rag through an old potato bag? My grandma had one her mother had made up until a few years ago!

Si · Post by Si » Tue 11 Mar, 2008 9:52 am

My grandma used to make new rag-rugs for the house every year. They were very common in Leeds. PS Nice donkey-stone photo, Munki!!!

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Tue 11 Mar, 2008 2:14 pm

I seem to remember that the type of rugs described were made by a process called "tatting"?

arry_awk · Post by **arry_awk** » Tue 11 Mar, 2008 4:44 pm

'Rag' rugs be blowed! They were called 'Clipped' rugsand we used to spend ages cutting 3"X1" pieces fromany old coats, etc. and mum would have a rug size piece of sackingand 'Prick' (OOOPS!) each piece thru the sacking with alarge bodkin needle and pull the end back thru to the same lengthof the top 'Tag' end (I think thats what she did!). They were alsocalled 'Pricked' Rugs. I think the tradition meant you had to havea new rug ready to see each New Year in with. They did 'recycle'any unworn clippings from the old rugs!Steve J, I never heard the term 'Tatting' used for this operationMy Missus (from Sussex!),calls Tatting; trimming the edgesof garments with a cotton 'piping' material. (No.I never saw her doany!). I believe also that Tatting was a Cockney term for a rag and bone man's occupation! 'Any ol' rags and lumbah? Free godlfish!-bring yer own jar!'

arry_awk · Post by **arry_awk** » Thu 13 Mar, 2008 5:24 pm

Ere we go agen!Thanks all for that great info on the Lion Brand Donkey stones! That's the 'impressed' animal shape I must have mistaken for a donkey when I was young, abt 100 years ago!During the 14/18 War, Didn't Kaiser Bill,(Wilhelm),Likenthe British army to 'Young Lions led by Donkeys'!Could have some bearing on the name of the product!

Post by **chameleon** » Thu 13 Mar, 2008 6:02 pm

arry awk wrote: 'Rag' rugs be blowed! They were called 'Clipped' rugsand we used to spend ages cutting 3"X1" pieces fromany old coats, etc. and mum would have a rug size piece of sackingand 'Prick' (OOOPS!) each piece thru the sacking with alarge bodkin needle and pull the end back thru to the same lengthof the top 'Tag' end (I think thats what she did!). They were alsocalled 'Pricked' Rugs. I think the tradition meant you had to havea new rug ready to see each New Year in with. They did 'recycle'any unworn clippings from the old rugs!Steve J, I never heard the term 'Tatting' used for this operationMy Missus (from Sussex!),calls Tatting; trimming the edgesof garments with a cotton 'piping' material. (No.I never saw her doany!). I believe also that Tatting was a Cockney term for a rag and bone man's occupation! 'Any ol' rags and lumbah? Free godlfish!-bring yer own jar!' Clip rugs! Forgotten all about them - yup, a Granny special, pride of place in front of the fire (watch them cinders). So warm on the tootsies too.Actually tried to get a clip tool a few years ago, feeling nostalgic and wanting the 'real thing' on principle, after seeing some factory made excuses in one of the new-style furniture shops. Not a chance - plenty of people heard of them, but non to be had.