I’m storyboarding product ideas for a design project at the moment and in my research travels came across this interesting (or is it bizarre?) rug based on traditional Aran knit sweaters. It’s by Netherlands-based designer Christien Meindertsma.

Confused by the scale of those – I want to say doll’s – legs in relation to the rug? Here’s another only slightly less mind bending image:

Meanwhile, you may have already seen these new Milan 2010-launched Mangas Farol rugs by everyone’s favourite designer Patricia Urquiola for the brand Gandia Blasco. You can buy them here. Creating a patchwork of different wool knits, they come in four different shapes ‘to combine as sleeves,’ apparently. An idea that plain boggles my mind. I mean, are we being challenged to map out a whole jumper on the floor? And just how big does Gandia Blasco think our houses are?

Don’t get me wrong, I actually like the ideas behind both designs. But is the future jumper rugs? Here’s a few vintage knitting patterns I found in my Mum’s cupboard, which you can enjoy while you try to answer that.