Rag Rugs; the tutorial.

I have made several of these rugs now and decided I would write a tutorial. I've tried making them a few different ways and I think I've finally mastered this process.

1. Make T-shirt yarn. You can make the yarn out of lots of different items: t-shirts, PJ bottoms, sheets, etc. Cut in strip and sew the strips together. Sewing them is very important. The first few I tied together and after several washings they began to fall apart. So I tore them apart and sewed the strips together and recrocheted them so they would be sturdier. Making the yarn is kind of a pain in the butt because it is time consuming but it is part of the process.  The amount of material depends on how large you want your rug. I used several shirts of varying sizes that my mind gave me after as closet clean out. Yah for recycling!

2. Start crocheting. I used a Q hook. You get use to using such a large hook and using such cumbersome material pretty quickly. This is the first pattern I wrote so beware!

Chain 4. Slip stitch to make as ring. 

Chain 1 and 5sc into the ring, join with a slip stitch. This is where I bust out a safety pin or a stitch marker to keep track of my rounds. 

Chain 1, 2sc in each stitch, join with a slip stitch.

Chain 1, *2 sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch* repeat until end. Join with slip stitch.

Chain 1, *2sc in next stitch,  sc in next 2 stitches* repeat until end. Join with slip stitch.

1sc in each stitch. Are now working in a round. (No more chain one and no more slip stitches)

*1sc in next three stitches, 2sc in next stitch.* Continue until end of round.

1 sc in each stitch this round.

*1sc in next four stitches, 2sc in next stitch.* Continue until end of round.

1 sc in each stitch this round.

*1sc in next five stitches, 2sc in next stitch.* Continue until end of round.

1sc in each stitch this round.

Continue in this fashion, increasing by 1 until it is as big as you want.  I made one that was 60 inches across.  Here are a few of my recent ones, since I've sewed them versus tying them.

Have fun with this pattern and be sure to link back pictures of your finished work. I personally think every room needs a rag rug [or two]. I really want to make a set for the kitchen but maybe square instead of circle. I'm rambling, anyway, happy crocheting!