The booklet I had suggested using 2" wide strips of fabric folded in half lengthwise, but that proved to be way too cumbersome. So I started over using 1-1/2" wide strips and that worked much better.
But because the cotton fabric had no "give," trying to crochet with it wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done.
I though I wanted about a 24" x 36" size rug but when I got to 19" x 32", it looked about the right size for my needs. I even had (lots of) strips already cut that I didn't use. (Now I'll have to think of something to do with those blasted leftovers!)
The end product reminds me of a cross between a rag rug and a braided rug.
It's plenty thick enough to be substantial and should hold up to a lot of washings which is important in this house.
I'm going to be curious to see how soon it shows the dirt. I'll be taking it outside to shake it frequently. Probably wouldn't hurt to run the vac over it when I do the floors either.If you've ever made anything in a circular or oval pattern, you know it's a smidge tricky getting the thing to lie flat. My rug looks good now but I'm wondering if drying it in the dryer will make it curl up. I think the best way would be to dry it on the metal deck table in the sunshine of a summer's day turning it over now and then while coaxing it into its flat shape.
Even though this method of making a rug required strong fingers and wrists, it went quickly and, yep, I'm already thinking of colors for the next one.
17 comments:
I think it's lovely! Love the rag look! Now that you and Jane have both done one, makes me want to try it out too!
You guys are so bad for me! In a good way of course ;o)
Geez, that's a really nice rug! I really like the colors and thickness of it. I tried making one, but it's pretty shabby. And I agree with you on crocheting something that stiff - pretty darn hard on those/my arthritic fingers! Drying it out in the sun means...not getting it dirty for three months???
APG - First, go steal some of the material Jane has to work with. It would be SO much easier!! ;o)
Susan - Or four. Or five maybe. ;o)
I love it. It looks so good. I love the colors. You could use the scraps to make a seat cushion for that chair you have by the rug.
It's beautiful! I finally started a rug after vacation by putting all my leftover chunky yarns in one basket and I'm just working on I-cord whenever I'm bored, I'm up to about 4 feet of I-cord now, it will be a year long project I'm sure LOL! I have been saving old jeans to do one like yours, but all the cutting and tying strips is a little intimidating right now.
Did you ever hear the Anna Russel routine about the ladies' art guild and their workshop schedule?
"This week, we'll have Emma Thimblebury giving a talk about how to make patchwork quilts from old skirts. This is particularly lovely, since the following week we'll have Prunella Longbottom teaching us how to make skirts from old patchwork quilts!"
Nice looking rug:)
It came out beautiful Mama Pea!! Congrats!!
Jane - A chair cushion! Duh. I guess sometimes we can't see what's in front of our face. GREAT idea!
Erin - I've got to say joining the strips was my unfavorite-est part of the project.
MaineCelt - No, I've never heard that but I've got to remember it. So funny. (And so true!)
Toyin O. - Welcome and thanks for commenting. Thank you!
Stephanie - Thank you, ma'am! (Stephanie, why can't I bring up your blog anymore??)
I have done one of these. You did a very good job, of course, you could have always made it a little bigger had you really wanted to use up all the fabric you cut, lol.
I love the look of your rug. I always wanted to try one, but now with the arthritis, I'll just drool over yours! Jane has a great idea with the seat cushion. Uses up your strips and cushions the tush ... LOL
Yvette
Cripes, is there anything you can't do??????????? It looks great!-though I wouldn't put it in the sun, it might fade.
Curious how heavy that is - not too heavy to wash obviously!
Your rug turned out great! I cut up old t-shirts to use for rag rugs. This has a bit more give to it and they come in nice bright colors. I'm a "way too much color" person.
becky3086 - Jane had a really good idea about making a chair pad for the rocker. I think I'll do that.
Yvette - I'm afraid you would have a hard time doing a rug with the fabric strips with your arthritis. It was difficult and I grunted and groaned a lot!
Sue - Is there anything I can't do? P-L-E-N-T-Y!!! Like landscape and grow flowers like you do, for starters! :o(
Jen - I don't know the actual poundage but I would guess certainly lighter than a braided rug the same size.
odiie - Color is good! Cut up t-shirts would be much easier to work with.
I have a store bought braided rug in the hallway that is falling apart. If I was really industrious, I would go through some of my stash and crochet myself a new rug. I probably won't, though. Instead, I'll just look at yours, and tell you how nice it looks.
~~Lori
Lori - Aw, come on now! Making that new rug will make you feel sooo good! Winter time is the time for such projects. ;o)
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