Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Make Your Own Rag Rug This Weekend



Hi. I am so very happy to see you here. I want to share my rag rugs with you.

I wrote out instructions (HERE) so you can make your own rag rug. It doesn't take too long. As a matter of fact you could make your own rag rug over a weekend.




It is extremely gratifying to whip up one of these rugs. 













This round rug was made from an old comforter and the coordinating bottom sheet. The seams had come out of the comforter and the batting was bunched up leaving us with a lumpy mutant blankie. 

I ripped the material length wise in to 1 1/2" strips. I joined the strips as per the instructions in this blog post.

Then's its just a matter of crocheting rounds with single crochet stitches.



This purple and off white rug was made from an old flat queen sheet and a single top sheet. 

I picked up these sheets at at the Salvation Army when they had 50% off linens. It's such a bummer that our local Salvation Army closed. :(



This rug is a Christmas gift for one of my granddaughters. Baby cakes wants a purple rag rug for her bedroom. 


Purple and Off White Rag Rug

I hope this picture captures the rug's texture. I like being able to see the stray threads and tied ends. It adds to the rustic charm.




How do you like my blue rug? Well actually it is grey and blue. 

I love this rug. It will look awesome in my bathroom. There is something about blue that is calming and relaxing.

I like the variety of blue shades that I incorporated here. I also found stripped, polka dot and checkered shirts to add visual interest.

Rugs made from t-shirts are a bit heavier than rugs made from sheets but both are comfy cozy under foot.


I was lucky to get a good deal on the shirts at the Salvation Army. Ten t-shirts for ten dollars. Sweet.




 My black rug is made from old t-shirts and track pants - an abundant commodity around here - from my daughters, granddaughters, and son-in-laws. As a matter of fact, I have quite a bit of stained, worn clothes piled up here for me to cut into strips.





If you don't keep the strips consistent in width when you are cutting them, your crocheted rounds with have a variety of widths. The thinner the strip, the thinner the round.

It also makes a difference if the fabrics are different weights. If you mix a sweatshirt in with the t-shirts, that section will have wider thicker rounds.


Blue Rag Rug


I have two more granddaughters who want rugs. Both of them want mult-coloured rugs which is nice because I don't have to buy material, I just need to cut up some of their clothes that they have outgrown, stained or worn out.





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High five, I've been featured at Think Tank Thursday #57.

Thank you Carrie. Her blog is called Saving 4 Six. And thanks Joyful Homemaking.




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I am so honored and thrilled to be featured at Linda's blog, Crafts a la mode



"We love and appreciate each one of you for being part of our blog.



Now for the features for the week. 
All features are also PINNED!

Darlene, from Let It Shine, crocheted some rag rugs from sheets." 



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I wish I knew what I was doing right so I can keep doing it. This post has now been featured three times. 

Create With Joy found this post inspiring enough to feature it on her blog.

I am ecstatic that so many people have enjoyed my rag rug post.



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Thank you soooo much Tanya for featuring my post on your blog

Tanya said, "It’s so hard to pick just one post to feature! I really enjoyed Why I’ll Never Be a Food Blogger,You are Enough Even with A Chronic Illness and the Fresh Peach Mojitos. However, I gotta say I was amazed by the creativity and the materials Darlene used to make these lovely rugs in thisMake Your Own Rag Rug This Weekend post. Stop by and check out this colorful and frugal handmade gift ideas. Thanks Darlene for sharing with us and hope you join us again this week!"



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I am super excited. My rugs have been featured at the Hookin On Hump Day Party. Check it out HERE.



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Well thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed checking out my rag rugs. I hope you are inspired to make one of your own. 


And don't forget to stop by my Etsy Shop, Little Shop of Treasures or check out a few other posts.

To receive my blog updates - please subscribe via email or follow through one of the other social medias. And don't forget to share the love.  :)






66 comments:

  1. I've been saving old T-Shirts for a project like this....thanks for sharing!

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    1. I am so happy you decided to pay me a visit and leave a comment. I look forward to seeing your completed project.

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  2. Sounds like fun! I like to give handmade gifts for Christmas, and I'm adding this one to the list. Thanks!

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    1. It is fun. I love making them. Once you start crocheting the rug and see it growing, it is so gratifying. I also look forward to seeing your finished rug. I hope you will come back to share it. Have a wonderful week.

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  3. I have many fond memories of my Grandmother making rag rugs and talking about them. Yours are beautiful! Maybe I should give this a shot myself:) (Stopping in from the Rosevine Cottage Link Up)

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    1. Apparently, one of my aunts use to make rag rugs but I don't remember it. It was probably my Aunt Mae - she did many different types of crafts until a stroke made it impossible for her to continue. I miss her.

      Anyway - you should give it a try. It's fun and relaxing.

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  4. They look so beautiful. I may give it a try but I have to admit I'm nervous mine won't look as nice as yours. I will check out the instructions and see if I think I can tackle this project. Thanks for sharing. Rhonda (http://feetgroundedontheeath.blogspot.com)

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    1. Hi Rhonda, thanks so much. I'm glad my pictures capture the beauty that I see in the rugs. I'm actually getting better at taking pictures. I'm sure your rugs will turn out fantastic. I think it boils down to the fabrics you choose. Rag rugs aren't meant to be perfect. I think it's meant to look shabby chic.

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  5. Nice rugs! Love using recycled t-shirts!

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    1. Hi Sara, thank you so much. Recycling is the best!

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  6. Oh wow! Those are so neat! I am awful at crocheting. I need to practice, I guess. Ha ha!

    Thanks for linking up with Take It On Tuesday! :)

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    1. Hi Jillian, Rag rugs are pretty neat aren't they. It's just a simple sc used to make the rugs - I am sure you'd be great at it. :)

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  7. They looks good! And they have an history behind (and that's a plus, IMHO)
    Pinned on our A Refashion Obsession Pinterest Group Board... would you like to pin with us?
    I'm following you and, if you follow me back and tell me if you'd like to, I'll send you an invitation :)
    MammaNene @ SergerPeppper.com

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    1. Hi Irene, thanks for the pin. I would definitely like to be part of the pin group.

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    2. I almost forgot to say that I am following you and have been for some time now. Have a super weekend.

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  8. They are beautiful, I would hate to use them as rugs. Thank you for sharing at Fluster's Creative Muster. Now that you found our party I hope that you'll continue to join us every Tuesday evening.

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    1. Hi Robin, so happy you like my rugs. I have a few sheets to rip up to make a few more rugs.

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  9. I can see why they are in popular demand, they're gorgeous!

    Thank you for linking to Super Sunday Sync!

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  10. Hi Darlene,
    These are great. I need to make some. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party.
    Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com

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    1. Hi Debi and Charly, I'm glad you like them. All these compliments are going to go to my head. :)

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  11. Love these! I was bummed to see they are crochet as I don't know how :)I love to recycle stuff and keep it all out the landfills. Followed you on b.l.
    I have one small suggestion. email me at info@spinstersnacks.com if you want
    tam@ spinstersnacks.com

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    1. Hi Tam, This is made with a super easy crochet stitch that a very beginner can do. I'm positive you can do it. You should give it a try.

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  12. I think I'll have a go sometime, just have to find some material, thanks

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  13. I have ALWAYS wanted to do this! Thanks for the inspiration, I put it on my Pinterest board Crafts I Want to Make.

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    1. So happy to inspire you. Go have some fun making one. And thanks for the PIN.

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  14. Oh gosh, I made a rag rug years ago. Yours are fabulous. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  15. These are beautiful, yet I still have to try this. LOL Thanks for sharing on DIY Sunday Showcase!!

    Shelly from MinettesMaze.blogspot.com

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  16. Those are so cute! I bet it would be perfect for my sons' rooms

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    1. It would be great to incorporate all the colours in your son's room, into the rug.

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  17. These are very pretty. I like that you've repurposed old fabric. Thank you for the directions and the gallery of the ones that you've made. Thank you for sharing this at the Thankful HomeAcre Hop; I hope you'll link up again this Thursday.

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    1. Thank you. And I look forward to next weeks party.

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  18. You have such talent! I only wish I had an ounce of it!

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  19. Darlene, I love these! Featuring you tonight also. PINNED. Linda

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  20. Oh, my word! I have been wanting to learn how to make these for so long. Yours are beautiful, and you make it look so easy!! LOL! I am going to do my best to try this. What great Christmas gifts this would make, and if you can make one in a weekend, there is still plenty of time to complete a few! So glad I found your blog today. :) Blessings, Cheryl

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    1. It is easy Cheryl. I can't wait to give rugs to my granddaughters at Christmas. :)

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  21. These looks so pretty!! Super cute!! Thanks for sharing at Take it on Tuesday!
    ~Betsy @ Romance on a dime

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    1. Thanks Betsy. I actually was able to take pictures that showed off the colours and details.

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  22. I'd forgotten about rag rugs! I have some old fabric that might be perfect. I'm off to check out your tutorial.
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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    1. Hi Laura I hope my tutorial works for you. Let me know if it doesn't so I can fix it. :)

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  23. How absolutely awesome that you re-purpose old and stained clothing! These do make wonderful gifts! I'm glad that your grand daughters also appreciate hand made gifts. So many kids nowadays prefer the store bought name brand things. Will have to check out your tut. ;)

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    1. My granddaughters are still young. LOL. They are five and six. Grandma is still one of their favorite people still.

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  24. It is amazing that you made these from old comforters. Awesome way to recycle old unused garments. Very creative. Thank you for sharing this one at Countdown in Style as well :)

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    1. I love recycling. With kids out growing, staining or ripping clothes you will never run out of raw materials to create.

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  25. Awesome! I have a bunch of clothes not able to be given away that I would love to make a rug like this with. Thanks for sharing and linking up with Countdown in Style!

    ~~April~~
    100lbCountdown.com

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  26. Mom, can you make me an oval rag rug for my kitchen?! Maybe one with red?

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    1. Yes dear. I have the material I just need to rip it into strips so I can start crocheting it. Want to help rip it up?

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  27. This is so creative Darlene! What a great use for worn out clothes and blankets! I am pinning this to my crafts board. Thanks for sharing with #ThrowbackThursdaylinkup! Hope you join us again this week.

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    1. Thanks Tanya. You know, I'll never run out of material to make rugs!

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  28. What great projects! I love how they are a great way to re-purpose something that might otherwise be thrown out.

    Thank you so much for sharing at my Yarn Fanatic Party. You've been featured! I hope that you'll come back again this week. :-) http://philwife.blogspot.com/2014/10/yarn-fanatic-party-12.html

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  29. Thanks Rachel. And when I make a rug from my granddaughters old clothes it has a sentimental value to it too.

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  30. I have a stack of old jeans and have been thinking about doing something like this with them. They are well worn and soft but not sure how thin i should go with the strips.

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    1. Hi, I'm not sure what you mean. Thin as in worn thin or thin as in width of the strip? Worn thin is fine. Just think most of my rugs are from old linens and that material is quite thin. As for width of the strips it depends on how bulky you want your rug.

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  31. I'm looking for a bit more heft in the rug then what i would get from using thinner material like t-shirts but still workable i was thinking about 2 or 2.5 inch width. I don't want to waste the material with trial and error since I am also planning to make a quilt as well. Am a bit worried that 2.5 inch may get cumbersome to work with though. Quilts I have done but this will be my first rag rug. I really appreciate the advise =) .

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    1. You know that the t-shirt rugs are quite a bit heavier than those rugs made from sheets. I haven't mad a rug from denim so it's difficult for me to give you an accurate answer. I don't think I would go any wider than 2 inches.

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  32. I,ve always wanted to try this...now I will for sure! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I think you'll enjoy making one. I liked it so much that I was on rug making craze.

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  33. love all the details and the colors! I have to try making at least one of these for myself :) Thanks for the inspiration Darlene!

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  34. Beautiful rugs! Will have to give this a try using some of my tshirt yarn.

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  35. These are gorgeous- I love the colour combinations. A lot of work but well worth it! It is so satisfying to repurpose old textiles into something new and useful! Thank you for sharing at Hookin on Hump Day!

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  36. The rugs are beautiful, you talented lady! What size hook did you use?

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