Rag Rugs

[pampered_mom]

I was shaking some rugs out today when I noticed that I'm in serious need of some new ones (I've got some pretty cheap storebought ones) which brought to mind some jeans I've had sitting around. They've got holes or will have holes so I hadn't send them to goodwill and now I'm glad I didn't.

Anyway...I had seen a denim rag rug made by the MCC which was probably made on a loom. I don't have a loom so I decided to do an internet search for "rag rug". I didn't realize there were so many options - braided, crocheted, "toothbrush" rug, etc.

I was wondering if anyone had made one before. I'd be most interested in a rectangular rug first because I have a small entry way I need a rug for and I don't think a round/oval one would work well.

Any suggestions on a good resource to start with? Or which method would best suit my materials?

[operamommy]

Warning: I've never actually made a rag rug before, but I've been researching them because I plan to make some for my kitchen soon. In your case I'd probably go with the braided rug, but I'll be interested to see what more experienced people chime in with.

I'm going to use old kids clothes for mine, so I plan on using this tutorial:
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2...-tutorial.html

Good luck!!

[E.V. Lowi]

My dd made one similar to the tute posted. It was made out of t shirt strips that were crocheted with a big hook. It made a great bathroom rug, since it was washable. Hr's was made in a circle shape.

I have made rugs using a polypropylene core with strips of fabric wrapped around this core and then the whole thing sewn into an oval. This made a very decent area rug. Not sure where the core is sold these days.

I have also made braided rugs using old wool blankets and wool clothing from thrift shops. The braid aids are helpful and you can find them at most craft stores.

[flapjack]

I'm currently making a rug using old jeans, some white uncarded wool and a peg loom. The kids are making a proggy mat as well. I like my rug, but I'm not loving it, iykwim? The texture isn't as sturdy as I wanted.

[pampered_mom]

I did some more research and checked out the books my local library had. I ended up getting a book called "The Complete Book of Rug Making" by Cecelia Fletcher that was the best I could find from my library's selection. She had a section on braided rugs that was most helpful. What sealed the deal for me was the fact that I found out my grandma has braided rugs in the past so she could help me when it came time to lace it up.

There are a couple of other books I've requested from other libraries in our system, but I haven't had the chance to check them out yet.

I've got a pretty good start on the rug and I have to say I love the way it looks! I've run out of jeans, though, so I'll have to find an alternate cheap (or even better, free) source.

[AAK]

Check out freecycle for more jeans!

Amy

[pampered_mom]

I did do that actually. I even specified that they could have rips, stains, holes, etc because I figured I could work around them and still no response. I was a bit amazed actually. That's alright, though, I'll figure out how to get my hands on some more jeans somehow... :0)

[ktraxel]

Rag Rugs-Can I ask a question?

I have just recently begun this craft and I am having an issue. Why is my "rug" becoming a "bowl"? lol I tried loosening up on the "stitches" (I am using the "crochet" rather than the "braided" method) but it is still turning into a bowl shape instead of lying flat. Will it lie flatter as I go or am I doing something wrong? Like I said, I am doing it loosely but it is STILL doing that. I started over on this on because I thought on the first one that I was doing it too tightly. But nope, still a bowl.

Can someone give me some pointers or assure me that it will lie flat once I am done?

I would appreciate any and all help! (Maybe I can turn it into a basket instead of a rug! lol)

Thank you!

Kandi

[E.V. Lowi]

Originally Posted by ktraxel

I have just recently begun this craft and I am having an issue. Why is my "rug" becoming a "bowl"? lol I tried loosening up on the "stitches" (I am using the "crochet" rather than the "braided" method) but it is still turning into a bowl shape instead of lying flat. Will it lie flatter as I go or am I doing something wrong? Like I said, I am doing it loosely but it is STILL doing that. I started over on this on because I thought on the first one that I was doing it too tightly. But nope, still a bowl.

Can someone give me some pointers or assure me that it will lie flat once I am done?

I would appreciate any and all help! (Maybe I can turn it into a basket instead of a rug! lol)

Thank you!

Kandi

You have to increase your stitches at regular intervals to stop the cupping. It depends on which row and the size of your needles, but something like increase every other stitch for the first 3 rows, then every 4 stitches for the next 5 rows then every 6 stitches and so on. If you find the rug is rippling instead of laying flat, then back off on the increases.

[vanauken]

I've made a couple using this tutorial:

http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the_...g_tutoria.html

She basically lays out how her grandma taught her to make them. They turned out beautiful and it was easy-peasy - just takes a long time to cut all the cloth!

You might want to use pinking shears to stop it from fraying quite so much, though it takes long to cut with those.

[2 in August]

I saw an idea for a jean rug (can't find a link now though), where you take a piece of fabric and sew strips of jeans to it. It ends up fluffy. It looked really pretty and seemed easy. (If you have a sewing machine, but I don't)

[babytimeagain]

That sounds neat! Post a picture when you get it done

[Eclectica]

This thread is timely as I need a cozy rug for my son's room and have been thinking of doing one.

My great grandmother made hooked rugs out of fabric and clothing scraps and I've never tried this but it is on my "to craft" list. There are instructions at the very bottom of this hooked rug kit page for doing it on burlap. My grandmother did it with thicker fabric strips though (and I think used latch hook canvas) and they ended up very fluffy and funky looking. Here is the basic idea using t-shirt strips and latch hook canvas.

[sarah_bella1050]

I would love to make one of these for my kitchen, but I don't know how to crochet. I can knit a little though (as in I can make a scarf). I would really love to find a pattern for a braided on....

[sarah_bella1050]

Ok, I think this one is more my style http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Uz4...eature=related This actually looks like a lot of fun! I think I will use the idea from this tutorial though http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the_...g_tutoria.html for making the long strips instead of sewing them. :

[operamommy]

I got mine done!! Picture here: http://onehookwonder.typepad.com/one...mingof-ah.html