Has anyone crocheted a rug with fabric strips?

@sasklily (240)
Canada
February 24, 2007 12:06am CST
Years ago I had a lot of wool scraps that I wanted to get rid of and I crocheted an oval floor mat. It wasn't the best work I'd ever done, but I'm still using it at the back door and it is quite practical, as it can just be thrown into the washer and drier. I was cleaning a bit in my craft/junk room and found a pile of old sheets and I'm wondering if I couldn't tear them into strips and crochet a mat from them. I hate throwing things away and try to recycle as much as I can. Has anyone crocheted anything like this? By the way, I've downloaded another pic. of another doll outfit I finished.
5 people like this
9 responses
@judyt00 (3497)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
I did one years ago with old cotton scraps. However, my cat thought it was theperfect place to have her kittens, so we had to throw it out. WQhen I was a child, we used to braid rugs with wool scraps from the local mill. we had one in our livingroom for years that was about 6 x 8 feet big and took my sister, my mom and I a whole winter to make.
2 people like this
@sasklily (240)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
I think I'm going to try one and see how it looks, if I find the time to start another project. And I bet you had lots of good times that winter, working together.
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
25 Feb 07
absolutely! I got a bunch of sheets that either did not fit our beds or had an area of paint spilled on them, at auction for $1. I cut the sheets into 1" strips the long way and crocheted as normal. The effect is much like a rag rug would be, I made mine into rugs but they would also make nice rag baskets. If stringy edges bother you, you may not like this style of crochet as turning the edges under and sewing the strips may be too time consuming. Some sheets that have a ghastly pattern look really nice when used in a rug. A variety of sheets makes for a colorful piece of work.
@sasklily (240)
• Canada
25 Feb 07
From reading this, I'm definitely going to have to try it. I have some large hooks that very seldom get used, so it's their turn, lol. The strings don't bother me, and they wear off eventually.
1 person likes this
@sasklily (240)
• Canada
26 Feb 07
You're a lady after my own heart, I also do the frugal and recycling thing, lol. A lot of these sheets I have were bought with the intentions of doing the toothbrush rugs, but I'm a little tired of that and into crocheting now. I think it will have to be Spring, tho', so I can rip them outside. You get a lot of lint flying around if you do them in the house.
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
25 Feb 07
Great! i am sure you will enjoy it. Using a Q hook works up so quick and easy too! Finding used sheets is a great cheap resource for crochet yardage, as you can get a lot of strips out of an old king sized linen. Or sheets that have worn areas and stains, rather than throwing them out. I am really into reusing and the frugal lifestyle. Check out your local thrift shops you can often find sheets there for 50cents. Sheets in good condition are also an inexpensive source for fabric yardage to make skirts out of, or slips for your daughters. I could not believe the cost of a full sized little girls slip! $17 bucks for a thin piece of material - nah, get a good cotton sheet (doesn't have to be new) and make a few of them for pennies on the dollar. Wooohoooo!
1 person likes this
• Kuwait
19 Mar 07
i never did any thing for a rug,it didnt come to my mind yet but i think i get another new idea from you, thanks for reminding me i have a lot things to use to creat a personal rug beside my bed.
@kiiizu (1901)
• Estonia
28 Feb 07
Thank you for a good idea, I remember, my grandmother tried once to do something like this. She didn't finished it, though. I know already where I get rugs, my aunt has a lot of them! Of course, I have to wash them all, and perhaps even dye?
@sasklily (240)
• Canada
1 Mar 07
Yes, that's one thing that you can always dye them. It might be a good idea to use a color remover first and then the dye would be a more true color. If you use the Rit dyes, they have a color remover to use first.
@quatelmon (955)
• United States
24 Feb 07
I have not made one, but I have seen a few patterns with instructions on how to do this (if you go to http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com and search for it, you can find it) I am very interested in doing this, as well. Let me know how this works out for you!!!
@sasklily (240)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
I sure will, if I ever get around to doing it. I have so many projects going that I'm afraid to start another one. But, thanks for the site, I'm going there now to check it out. If I find something I'll print it off and put it with the sheets for the future.
• United States
27 Feb 07
Yes! I made one like that when I was younger. My mom still has it. I just tore the fabric into thin strips and tied them together end to end.
1 person likes this
@sasklily (240)
• Canada
27 Feb 07
I would think they'd wear very well, as they're like braided mats and they seem to last forever. And so easy to care for, just throw them in the washer and drier and they're good to go again.
@venshida (4836)
• United States
20 Aug 07
I have not but it is a great idea. I need a rug for my bathroom so that might be something I can try.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I haven't tried this yet but I am definately going to give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration. Have a great day!! AT PEACE WITHIN
• Pakistan
11 Jan 09
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