Monday, October 15, 2012

Toothbrush Rag Rug Progress Days 1, 2, & 3

Toothbrush Rag Rug Progress, Day 1
Day 1

Toothbrush Rag Rug Progress, Day 2 & 3
Day 2 & 3
It's already big enough for Melody to sit on, but I want it big enough so she can play on it. Each day, she checks on my progress and exclaims in delight to see a new fabric/color added. Then she likes to tell me that I am taking "forever". The kid needs to learn some patience. Lol.

It's been a lot of fun picking out fabrics from my collection. What a great way to use up the fabrics that I will never get around to sewing with. I love how simple the technique is and that there is no pattern to memorize or look at.

For those of you that want to give this a try, these videos via Etsy are a good starting point. But she doesn't talk about increasing which is important if you want your rug to lay flat. Day to Day Adventures has a 4 part tutorial on how to make a oval rug and where to increase. After you do this for a while, you will get a feel for when you need to make increases. It's best to do this on a flat surface so you can check to make sure your rug is flat.

There are so many ways to make a rag rug. The more I search, the more techniques I find. If you know how to crochet, Sugar Bee Crafts and Vintage Chica have crochet tutorials. Crazy Mom Quilts knitted a rag rug with the selvedges that she has collected from her sewing projects. If I have more time some day, I want to make a braided rag rug. Homestead Weaver and Little House in the Suburbs have tutorials on a no sew braided rag rug. Moda Bake Shop has a tutorial on a hand sewn braided rag rug. If hand sewing is not your thing, Crafty Captain has a faster technique by using the zig zag stitch on a sewing machine to join the braids.

Happy Monday, everyone!

12 comments:

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

That is SO pretty! I love how you've arranged the colors. I had a rag rug my grandmother made years ago that we used until it literally fell apart! Maybe I need to make one.

polkaknits said...

I like it so much! It reminds me a huge lollipop! Maybe I'll make a rag rug for my new apartment. Thank you for inspiration!

kristin said...

well, i've got crafter ADD too and watching your rug develop just gives me the urge to start tearing up some fabric. it's so beautiful now, i can just image when it's all finished. well one!!

Unknown said...

Your rug is gorgeous! I'm itching to start something new... but I have so many things to finish!

CelticCastOn said...

I have a rag rug pattern and giant wooden crochet hook that came with it. I'm kicking myself for not getting the material for it because the lady I got the kit from sold the strips too.
Can't wait to see this one finished!

Yarny Days said...

That is gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing the end product. And dont take forever ;)

Pat Olski said...

HI Angela,
I have stopped by your blog many times over the years. I want to welcome you to northern NJ. I am the VP of the Bergen County Knitter's Guild. We are a relatively small group, and host wonderful speakers, from time to time. We have had the good fortune to have everyone from Jared Flood to Nicki Epstein, and yearly visits from Carla Scott of VK. Some of our meetings are simply informal get togethers. Our next meeting is Nov. 19th at 7:00pm. We meet on the 2nd floor of the Oradell Police Station. It is on Kinderkamack road in Oradell, right off of Oradell avenue(Ridgewood Ave. in Ridgewood turns into Oradell Avenue in Oradell. We always enjoy new faces. My e-mail is PatOlski@yahoo.com
Hope to see you!
Pat Olski

Peppermint Mocha Mama said...

I've got some old sheets that I'm going to do this with for my daughter's room... though I am thinking of not using a hook and doing it by hand - I think it would be easier. Are you using a huge hook? Does it work alright or would it be faster with just your hands?

Oiyi said...

Hi Amy,

No, I am not using a hook since I am not crocheting it. I am just making knots. I improvised a needle with a paperclip which makes the process much easier than trying to push the fabric through with your fingers.

You can see my paperclip needle here, http://oiyi.blogspot.com/2012/10/trying-something-new.html

Sayschnicklefritz said...

Thanks for including a video, because I was absolutely baffled by what this was. The only rag rugs I know of are dome on looms. What . . .should I have told you that? Might this spark and entirely new obsession with a new set of tools?

Love teh rug!

Oiyi said...

Sayschnicklefritz, um yes I found out about the looms during my research. That's next on my list. One obsession at a time. LOL.

Sam said...

What a fantastic idea! And the result is fun and pretty... no wonder Melody is impatient :o)))