'Sparkle' Hand Hooked Wool Cat Rug — Pat Cross Design / Grace V. Ayres, Age 79, 2019

About This Piece

Meet Sparkle. A grey-and-white tabby cat sits in dignified poise at the center of a glowing deep-orange oval halo, set against a rich charcoal-dark background. Her golden eyes are bright, her pink whiskers extend to both sides, and a curved grey tail rises behind her. The cat's name — SPARKLE — is spelled out along the bottom in cheerful multicolor letters: yellow, pink, white. In each corner, fan-shaped rainbow motifs in pink, grey, orange, and yellow add folk art whimsy to the composition. The bright orange outer border and the vibrant corner details give this small piece enormous visual energy.

The pattern was designed by Pat Cross, a well-known rug hooking pattern designer whose cat and animal designs are popular in the rug hooking community. This piece was hand-hooked in 2019 by Grace V. Ayres of Onley, Virginia, at age 79 — making this the last known dated piece in Grace's remarkable collection, completed when she was nearly 80 years old. It was executed on monks cloth at a #8 cut, the same wide, expressive cut she used for most of her later pictorial work. The label, written in pink ink on a blue-stripe ticking patch with gold zigzag embroidered border, records the complete provenance.

As the final documented piece from a prolific folk artist whose output spanned at least 2004 to 2019, 'Sparkle' has special significance for collectors. It is also simply a joyful, perfectly executed piece — small, bold, and full of personality. Cat art and named-animal folk art both command strong collector interest, and this piece delivers both.

Product Details

• Pattern Title: 'Sparkle'

• Pattern Designer: Pat Cross

• Maker: Grace V. Ayres, Age 79 — Onley, Virginia

• Year Completed: 2019 — the latest known dated piece in this collection

• Technique: Hand hooked — every loop pulled individually by hand

• Material: Wool on monks cloth backing

• Cut: #8 cut wool

• Size: Approximately 12½" wide x 18" tall (portrait orientation; per label and tape measure photos)

• Motif: Named grey tabby cat 'Sparkle' in orange oval halo; 'SPARKLE' lettering in multicolor along bottom; rainbow fan motifs in each corner — cat folk art / named animal / colorful primitive

• Color Palette: Deep charcoal/dark forest green (background); deep orange and golden amber (oval halo and outer border); grey, white, and silver (cat body); golden yellow (cat eyes); pink (whiskers, lettering); multicolor yellow, pink, orange, grey, white (corner fans and 'SPARKLE' lettering)

• Edge Finish: Orange wool whipped binding all around

• Reverse: Orange canvas/fabric backing; blue-stripe ticking provenance label with gold zigzag embroidered border stitched to center reverse

• Hanging: Orange fabric hanging sleeve sewn to top reverse edge with small wooden dowel — ready to hang immediately

• Provenance Label: Records pattern title, designer, maker, location, year, age, backing, size, and cut — written in pink ink

• Collection Significance: Grace's last known dated work — made at age 79, fifteen years after her earliest piece in this collection

Condition Notes

• Overall condition: Very good to excellent — vivid, punchy color palette; strong loop integrity throughout

• As the most recently completed piece in the collection (2019), the wool loops show the least age-related wear of any piece here

• Some minor loop variation in the dark background field — typical of this cut and style; not distracting

• The orange halo, cat figure, lettering, and corner fans are all crisp and well-defined

• A few scattered minor loose fibers on surface — cosmetic only

• Orange binding intact all around; corners secure

• Hanging sleeve and dowel are attached and functional

• Provenance label is affixed securely and fully legible

• No holes, tears, staining, or odors noted

• Please review all photos carefully — happy to provide additional images on request

Shipping & Returns

• FREE shipping — carefully packed flat and fully protected for safe delivery

• Returns accepted for any reason — your satisfaction is fully guaranteed

• Questions? Happy to provide additional photos or measurements before you purchase

Sparkle. Hooked at 79. The last word from a lifetime of making.