Rag Rug Tutorial

I've used almost all of my jeans so I took a trip to the local goodwill store and went on a denim hunt. I originally looked in the pants area but then I saw dresses! Yes, denim dresses! I was able to buy several dresses for $3 each. Geez, I almost felt guilty. Then I whipped out my cutter and went to town. I cut strips about an inch wide. I don't use an edge to cut against because if its not completely straight or even, it doesn't matter! I love that! So Easy. Next I have to tie my strips together so I take two of them and cut a small vertical slit in the end of each.

I stack the strips on top of each other as pictured above and then take the end of the strip that's on top and pull it up through the bottom. Pull the full length through until you reach the end and it creates a perfectly flat little knot.

I repeat this until I have all of them hooked together, now I am ready to begin. As you can see I use a GIANT hook. I have no idea what size it is other than its gigantic and blue. This rug is going to be rectangular so I chain a length that will be the short side of my rectangle.

Once I chain the length I need I turn it around and double crochet back down in every chain stitch. When I reach the end (which is actually the very very beginning) I chain three and begin to double crochet back down the other way. I repeat this process until my rug is the right size. (You wont believe how quick this project comes together!)

Here are a couple of tips:

~ You can use any type of denim however a thinner or distressed denim is a little easier to work with or if your denim has a little stretch to it.

~ Thinner or distressed denim is also very easy to tear rather than having to cut. This last dress that I bought was very thin so I made a little cut at the bottom and just ripped the fabric into strips. This also takes much less time than cutting with scissors or rotary cutter.

~ If you are using old jeans (pants) the easiest way to cut them is to first cut the legs off as high on the hip as possible. Now you will have a long tube of denim (the leg of the pants) begin at the top (thigh area) and cut a spiral all the way around and down the tube until you reach the bottom. This way you don't have to tie them together.

~ Usually when I crochet its quite tight but that doesn't fly on this project so remember to keep it loose.

(If this is all very confusing please PLEASE contact me and I will help you through it!)

 How to join your strips of fabric.....

Ok, I tried to post a video but my laptop just wasn't having it so let me see if I can talk you through it..... 

After you have cut the slits/holes in your fabric lay the fabric strips one going north and one going

south with the holes aligned.

  Holding the two strips in your left hand and with your right hand find the end of the strip that's on the top, pull the end of the top fabric up through the hole from underneath

Now just pull on the end of the top fabric and give a little tug, it will look like its kind of turning itself inside out.

I hope this helps.  I struggled with this in the beginning too, I just couldn't figure it out!  Please let me know if you need more instructions.  I will try to get a video up as soon as possible.