DIY Network

Make a Crocheted Rag Rug From "DIY Crafts" episode DIC-160

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Crochet a rag rug using a single easy crochet stitch. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E

Nobody knows just how old the art of crochet is, but historians have found indications that hundreds of years ago sticks were used to loop thread into stitches. The word crochet comes from the French word meaning hook. Crafter Sharon Lantham explains how to crochet strips of fabric into useful rugs using a single crochet stitch.

Basic Stitches

Chain: Start with a loop on the hook. Loop a fabric strip over the hook, and pull through.

Slip stitch: Insert the hook into the foundation chain or stitch, and loop the fabric strip over. Pull through both the chain or stitch and the loop on the hook.

Single crochet: Insert the hook into the foundation chain or stitch, then loop the fabric strip over, and pull through the chain or stitch (two loops on the hook). Loop the fabric strip over, and pull through both loops.

Materials:

Crochet hook, size Q
Spool of fabric--spools come in 3"-wide strips
Scissors

1. Make a slip knot by making a loop and pulling the long end through (figure A).

2. Chain 20 stitches. Each chain stitch will look like a V (figure B).

3. Single crochet in each chain.

4. Single crochet twice in the last chain stitch. Work down the opposite side of the starting chain, and single crochet in each stitch.

5. Increase at the end of the row by single crocheting twice in each end stitch. By increasing at each end of the rug, you'll ensure that it lies flat (figure C).

6. Continue working around the rug, single crocheting in each stitch and increasing at the ends. As the rug becomes larger, space the increases evenly around the end stitches to accommodate the size. You must increase the same number of stitches at each end of the rug to keep a symmetrical oval shape. Slip-stitch in the first stitch of the previous round (figure D).

7. Finish the rug by pulling the fabric strip to the back side, cutting a slit in the strip lengthwise and tying the two ends of the slit in a knot (figure E). Use this method to join strips of fabric as well.