I bought a lovely thing yesterday.

We popped into town for some school shoes for lad (hoping to – and succeeding in – avoiding the screaming hoards that descend in the week before school starts). And I couldn’t resist a quick shufty in Oxfam, as we were passing.

Whilst lad was rewarded with a sit-down, and partner with a pair of very nice Levis, I got this thing of beauty…

Although it was in the scarves box, I don’t think it is a scarf. Or rather, it wasn’t originally intended as one.

Some patterns transcend the purpose for which they were created.

Have you ever looked at stationary and wished the pattern was available as a fabric? Or worn a dress and thought “this would make pretty curtains”?

I’m afraid I do it all the time. I can’t help it. It’s like a little part of my brain is never satisfied with a pattern in just one context, so it has to perform some strange mental paint-by-numbers and pop it somewhere else, just to be awkward.

Someone had obviously done the same mental re-imagining process that I am so fond of and gone – “ooh, scarf!” But I think the item in question is actually a very small tablecloth.

It has one or two of those tiny, tell-tale tablecloth-type stains and the fabric I think is rayon, which is typically tablecloth-y.

Whatever, for two whole pounds, I wasn’t going to quibble.

The stains are barely noticeable and that pattern is just divine…

So, shall I wear it as as scarf, or put it on a table?

Well, the answer to that is…

Actually, neither. I rather like it as a throw (see picture at the top of this post).

And like this tablecloth, I think it would also make a smashing floor-cushion cover.

But the thought that sprang to my over-excited and contrary mind was actually, “wouldn’t that make a lovely rug?”

So, how does one go about turning a tablecloth into a rug?

I’m thinking, look out for a thick wool blanket in cream or pink, and sew it onto the back. Or if I can source something felty, that would probably do too.

And in the meantime, I can always use it as a throw.

Or maybe even wear it as a scarf. ♥