Free preview · full pattern in the Retro Crochet Rugs
Happy the Clown Rug (vintage American Thread): vintage crochet pattern
A medium blue single crochet rug with knotted fringe on all four sides and a clown embroidered in black, red and light yellow cross stitch from a chart, with optional pompon buttons. Originally published as "Happy the Clown" in Crocheted Rugs (Star Rug Book No. 106) by The American Thread Company, it is now in the public domain.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed · Editorial policy
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed September 14, 2026 under our editorial policy · pattern testing in progress
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Easy |
| Yarn weight | Bulky (#5) |
| Yardage | 756–840 yd (691–768 m) |
| Hook | 5 mm |
| Gauge | Not printed. Suggested from the printed size: about 12 sc and 13 rows = 4 in (10 cm) — 60 sc across 20 in and 96 rows for 30 in. |
| Finished size | 20 × 30 in (51 × 76 cm) without fringe |
| Time | about 4 hours |
Materials
- Aunt Lydia's Heavy Rug Yarn (Coats & Clark) is still sold. It is a bulky (#5)-class rug yarn; substitute any bulky rug yarn that matches the gauge.
- Yardage: the original lists 12 skeins but does not print the skein size. Other American Thread books of the period list this yarn in 70 yd skeins, which would be about 840 yd (768 m) — check the current label before buying.
- Colours: 9 skeins medium blue, 1 skein each black, red and light yellow.
- Original hook: aluminum crochet hook size H.
- Cardboard pieces 7 in (18 cm) and 1¾ in (4.5 cm) wide; tapestry needle for embroidery.
- Hook: Start with 5 mm (US H-8) and change size to match the gauge.
Abbreviations (US terms)
Notes before you start
- Source: "Happy the Clown", Crocheted Rugs (Star Rug Book No. 106), The American Thread Company. Public domain in the USA.
- As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "AUNT LYDIA'S" HEAVY RUG YARN, Article 235; 9 skeins Med. Blue.; 1 skein each Black, Red and Lt. Yellow.; Aluminum crochet hook size H.. Gauge: Not given.
- Modernisation note: The original is written in US terms; abbreviations were updated to modern style (s c → sc, d c → dc, s d c → hdc).
- Modernisation note: "Repeat 2nd row 94 times" is written as rows 3–96; the total row count is our arithmetic.
- Modernisation note: "Cut yarn" and "break off" are written as "fasten off"; "attach" is written as "join".
- Modernisation note: Check: the embroidery chart is in the original illustrations; it is reproduced as an image, not redrawn.
- Modernisation note: "Weave in all ends" was added as a finishing step; it is not in the original.
- Modernisation note: Metric conversions and the suggested gauge were added; they are not in the original.
- Modernisation note: Hook letters from this period were not standardised to millimetres; the starting size given is a modern equivalent, and the gauge is what matters.
Rug
- Row 1: With blue, ch 61, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch, ch 1, turn.
- Row 2: Sc in each sc, ch 1, turn.
- Rows 3–96: Repeat row 2 ninety-four times. Fasten off.
Continue this pattern
The rest of the Happy the Clown Rug (vintage American Thread) pattern is in the Retro Crochet Rugs
Still to come in the full pattern:
- Fringe
- Embroidery
- Finishing
Included with 15 patterns for $12 — $0.80 per pattern.
Errata
No corrections have been published for this pattern. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will log the fix here with a date.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Happy the Clown pattern from?
It was published as "Happy the Clown" in Crocheted Rugs (Star Rug Book No. 106) by The American Thread Company. The publication is in the public domain in the United States; this version is transcribed and modernised by crochetpatterns.io.
What yarn or thread do I need for the Happy the Clown?
bulky (#5) yarn. Original: 12 skeins; skein size not printed (likely 70 yd each — check the label).
What hook should I use?
Start with 5 mm (US H-8) and change size to match the gauge. Gauge: Not printed. Suggested from the printed size: about 12 sc and 13 rows = 4 in (10 cm) — 60 sc across 20 in and 96 rows for 30 in.
