How To: Crochet a Rug.

Mine is still a work in progress, I want to make it just a little bit bigger but I LOVE it. It's thick, sturdy, and feels nice under my toes, which I painted just for this picture.

I've been wanting to crochet a rug for awhile so this weekend, I finally did. If you have ever crocheted before, this is super super easy. If not, there are only 3 stitches involved, I'll link videos of them so you can make one too!

I used an old sheet that had turned a little blue in the wash. oops.

First, cut strips of something, an old sheet, t-shirts, whatever you have lying around. These strips are a little wide. I would suggest 1 - 1.5 inches would be a better width.

If the fabric you used is pretty and you like it, then you're ready to go. If not, you'll probably want to dye it. I dyed four batches of different shades of purple. The first had one capful of Rit liquid dye in purple, the next had 3 capfuls, the next had 6, and the last had 10. I followed the instructions on the back of the bottle and opted to do my dyeing in a half full kitchen sink of really hot water. I then washed the strips in my washer and hung them outside to dry. If you have trouble getting the the color off your sink, use some dish soap and vinegar.

The strips lighten up after washing but they still have distinct colors which you can use to make a pattern or a haphazard look to your rug. 

Now for the crocheting part. You'll need to know these stitches:

Chain Stitch
Slip Stitch = sl st
Single Crochet = sc

I used a Q sized crochet hook. I've seen them at a few stores, they're the big giant plastic blue hooks.

Sorry if this is confusing. I sometimes have a hard time reading patterns so this is how it makes sense to me. If this doesn't make sense to you, look up a pattern on how to make a round pot holder or hot pad. It's very similar.

Chain 6, join with a slip stitch to form a circle. This is the center of your rug.
Chain 2, 2 single crochets into each of the remaining 5 stitches, sc in the same space as the ch 2, sl st into the ch 2 to close the circle.
Chain 2, 2 sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next stitch, 2 sc into the next, 1 in the next, repeat all the way around alternating 1 or 2 stitches, sl st into the ch 2 to complete the circle.  (basically it's just a sequence of stitches alternating and repeating like this: 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2)
Chain 2, 1 sc into the next stitch, 2 sc in the next, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 sc into the next stitch, repeat all the way around and close with a sl st. (1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2)
Chain 2, 1 sc into each of the next 2 stitches, 2 sc into the next stitch, 1 single crochet into each of the next 3 stitches, repeat all of the way around, close with a slip stitch. (1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2)
Keep going along these lines, increasing with each new row.

Once your rug is the size you want, fasten off the end by pulling it through the loop on your hook. Then, darn in the ends by weaving them through the underside and you're done!

Don't worry if you lose count of which stitch you're on, it doesn't have to be perfect, it'll still look good. It's a rag rug, not a sweater :)
I'd also recommend marking your chain two at the beginning of each row so you'll know where to slip stitch when you reach the end of the row, I just used a twist tie.

This project is awesome because it cost under $5. The dye was less than $3 and the hook was just over $1.

If anyone makes a rug please let me know, I'd love to see photos!


I'm linked up at Life Made Lovely.
I'm also linked up at Small Things for the Yarn Along.
I've also linked up at Homemaker in Heels.