Making rugs for your floors is so awesome. Here is the basic directions (for single crochet with large plastic hook-largest they sell), . You can use many different fibers (wool, cotton, synthetics), but I chose athletic wear (sweatpants and sweatshirts-they don't ravel-neither do t-shirts or knits) to make a very substantial rag rug. I cut a long sleeve sweatshirt in four pieces, back, front, and two opened up arms. I cut off the stretchy bottom to use as fringe on the ends. You cut the cut open pieces into strips (1/2 inch to 1 inch wide-whatever size you want) You cut in a spiral round and round. Roll the strips into balls. You can join these strips as you crochet with a small slit cut in the two pieces you want to join, then slip end of new strip through both slits , creating one long strip, no knots) You can cut the bottom of the sweatshirt stretchy material into strips (6-8 inches long) and tie fringe on each end of rectangle rug, Or just put a single crochet border, or scalloped edge for very fancy border. There are so many beautiful colors and patterns you can create. I have made many rectangular rugs (have six on my floors at home), and have sold them at craft fairs etc. You can make round or oval or whatever you can manage. I get my materials at a thrift store,(places sometimes have a shopping bag for a couple of dollars), so much less expensive than buying new. You need quite a few to make large rug. (5-6 for smaller, 10-15 for larger ). Hope this inspires you to try a new craft, they make beautiful gifts too.
Very cool, A.B.E. I've done rag rugs before, although not crocheted.... I've used a wide 'french knitter' or corker to make my rug threading thicker, then tie it all together with embroidery floss in oval or round shapes, which also turned out well.
Hey, a few more rants and raves about these rugs. Sweatshirt material is very durable and color fast, so after numerous wash and dry, the rugs stay the bright color you started with, and they are virtually indestructable, I have had mine on the floor for 10 years, and they pretty much look the same as when I put them down. There are no threads to break , and no lint or frayed edges, if you use knits. They are quite heavy and thick and warms up the floors too. You can tell I am obsessed ? I love creating useful, practical items by hand. It is so much fun !!!!!!!!!!!
I am in the process of making a t-shirt rag rug. I used red t-shirts, cut in a long spiral up from the hem and braided. I am sewing the braids into an apple shape. I even have a ball of green t-shirt "yarn" for a leaf.
I just finished one with spiraled tshirts. I didn't braid it though. I did a simple crochet. The first time i have ever crochet. Nut a great way to use those old tshirts.
I love being able to recycle obscure things like plastic bags and old clothes and recrochet them or reknit them into new things... sometimes I get so tired of using just yarn, even though there's an awesome variety....
