What fun! Either the maker hooked the pattern from the wrong side and got too far to turn back| or for amusement value deliberately hooked it so W E L C O M E reads backwards. Adding to its uniqueness is the fact that| as printed on the pattern| it was intended to be a half-round rug but the maker hooked the entire foundation in ivory to make it a rectangular mat. Definitely defies convention! and may be one of a kind. Exhibited in the ART IN EMBASSIES Program of the U.S. State Department at the American Embassy| Canberra Australia| 2008-09.