What Is a Crochet Rag Rug?
A crochet rag rug is floor covering made by crocheting narrow fabric strips instead of yarn. The strips are cut from old T-shirts, sheets, or any worn-out fabric that would otherwise go to landfill. The fabric creates a chunky, cushioned texture that feels great under bare feet and hides dirt almost magically. Because every scrap is different, each rug is one-of-a-kind art.
Why Rag Rugs Are Perfect for Absolute Beginners
You do not need to count stitches obsessively. A rag rug works even if your tension wiggles. Mistakes drown in the thick fabric, the design is circular, and you only use two basic moves: chain and single crochet. If you already know these stitches from washcloths or scarves, you are ready to upsize to floor art. No blocking, no sewing seams, no blocking wires—just keep going round.
Materials and Tools at a Glance
- A stack of soft cotton knit: T-shirts, leggings, or jersey sheets. Five XL tees make a small bathroom rug.
- Sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and mat.
- Large crochet hook: sizes 10 mm to 15 mm work best. Metal is slicker; bamboo gives more grip.
- Safety pin or built-in stitch marker.
- Measuring tape and masking tape for marking start and finish widths.
Tip: Raid your partner’s reject pile first—cotton blends without spandex are stretchy enough to coil, not floppy.
Step 1: Choosing and Sorting Fabric
Stick to similar weights; combine light tees with light tees, thick bath towels with towels. Heavier T-shirts create a dense, slip-resistant mat; lighter golf shirts give a floppy throw-rug vibe. Fold fabrics right-side-out and cut along seams to open each garment into a single flat sheet. Save sleeves and collar bands for stuffing or future projects.
Step 2: Turn Fabric into Yarn-Like Strips
Cut the sheet into long 1-inch-wide spirals starting at the outer edge, just like peeling an apple in one ribbon. Hold the strip taut; it curls naturally, hiding raw edges. If the spiral threatens to tangle, wind it around an empty paper towel roll. A single XL shirt yields roughly 25 yards of fabric "yarn". Aim for 80–120 yards total for a 24-inch rug.
Step 3: Estimate How Much Fabric You Really Need
One queen-size jersey sheet equals roughly 100 yards after trimming seams. That is enough for a 30-inch rug. Stained tees? Mix them inside rows and let bright cuffs form accent stripes. Plan on 2–3 contrasting colors for instant pattern without the headache of graph paper.
Step 4: Magic Ring Start
Traditional chain-join gaps show wider in chunky fabric. Use a magic ring instead. Wrap the tail three times around two fingers, slide the loop off, insert the hook, chain one to secure, then single crochet six stitches into the ring. Tighten gently. Your center hides flawlessly.
Step 5: Grow the Circle Without Ruffles
Rag circles ripple only when stitch counts explode too fast. Follow the rule-of-eight: increase eight stitches evenly each round. After round one (6 sc), round two: 2 sc in every stitch = 12 sts; round three: (sc, 2 sc in next) around = 18 sts; round four: (2 sc, 2 sc in next) around = 24 sts; and so on. The math is boring but bulletproof.
Step 6: Hide the Joins
When a strip nears its end, slit both tails about ½ inch and link them like a paper chain. Cinch the knot tight—it disappears inside a single crochet. Trim any tiny tails that poke out; the chunky crochet swallows them whole.
When to Change Colors
Introduce new colors at the start of any round. The blunt fabric edges mesh, creating a seamless spiral sunset. Want neat stripes? Finish each round with a slip stitch, cut the yarn, and begin the next round with the new color. For a patchy ‘crazy quilt, join the new strip mid-round, secure with a single crochet over both tails, then crochet on.
Blocking a Rag Rug—Is It Necessary?
Usually no. Cotton knit relaxes under its own weight. If you wind up with a warped oval, dampen the rug, stretch edges gently, and pin to towels with stainless sewing pins. Let air-dry overnight. The knit memory smooths everything flat.
Sizing Chart for Common Rooms
| Use | Finished Diameter | Estimated Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Bath mat | 20–24 in (50–60 cm) | 3 XL tees |
| Bedside | 28–32 in (70–80 cm) | 4–5 XL tees |
| Entryway | 36 in (90 cm) | 6–7 XL tees |
| Small living room | 48 in (120 cm) | 8–9 tees or one queen sheet set |
How to Keep the Rug from Slipping
Natural rubber rug-grip webbing beats hot glue and lasts through machine washing. Cut a circle half an inch smaller than the rug, hand-stitch around the perimeter with doubled thread. Stitch through several loops of fabric, not the rubber, to keep the rug cushy.
Laundering Tips
Drop the finished rug into a cool-gentle wash with mild detergent. Tumble dry low; high heat shrinks the cotton tighter and thickens texture. Shake crumbs outside rather than vacuum brushes, which snag loose weave.
Beginner Mistakes & Quick Fixes
Bulky ridges: You added more than eight increases. Simply skip an increase round (plain sc around) and the rug flattens.
Angled slits instead of spirals: Straight-line strips produce bulky knots. Make the continuous spiral cut to avoid bumps.
Tail tangles: Wind small balls for each color and feed only what you need. Loose spaghetti strips snarl faster than yarn.
Upgrading Your Next Rug: Oval and Rectangle Styles
For an oval, chain the desired length plus five stitches (example: 30 in rug = 25 in starting chain) then sc evenly around both sides and ends. Increase at the end curves only; the straight sides do not require increases.
For a rectangle, crochet a long foundation chain, turn, and work in rows back and forth. Increase one stitch at each edge every few rows to keep edges straight—no tapering until the final border row.
Zero-Waste Offshoot Projects
Snippets too short? Stuff a pet bed pillow. Left sleeves? Twist into chunky plant ties and ankle bracelets. Every scrap finds a second life—rag rug philosophy in miniature.
A Simple<|reserved_token_163662|>-row Recipe to Memorize
- Magic ring, 6 sc.
- 2 sc in every stitch (12).
- (sc, 2 sc in next) six times (18).
- (2 sc, 2 sc in next) six times (24).
- Continue adding eight stitches per round until you hit your target size.
- Stop increases and work one plain round to create a thick edge.
- Slip-stitch final round, weave in ends, add rug-grip.
Time Estimate
Expect four to six episodes of a binge series—about six hours—for a 24-inch circle once you can crochet while glancing up at dialogue. Beginners usually wrap up in a calm weekend.
Sources & Safety Reminders
Techniques draw from standard crochet fundamentals in The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman (Storey Publishing, 2005). Cotton fabric recovery tests follow ASTM textile standards cited by Cotton Incorporated. Always cut away from hands, use sharp tools on a stable surface, and supervise kids during fabric preparation.
Disclaimer: This article is generated for creative instruction only. Test any laundering or sizing advice on a swatch first. The author is not liable for damage from slip risks or dye transfer.