Knitting is a fun and creative hobby that can be used to make all kinds of things, including knitted rugs. In this article, we’ll look at how to turn your knitting into a rug while keeping it both practical and pretty.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Knitting a rug can be a great way to create a unique and personalized home decor item. |
| 2. Before starting the project, it is essential to choose the right materials, determine the size and shape of the rug, and select the appropriate pattern. |
| 3. There are different techniques used in knitting a rug, including garter stitch, stockinette stitch, and seed stitch. |
| 4. Knitting a rug requires a large number of stitches and takes time, so it’s important to have patience and perseverance in completing the project. |
| 5. Aside from creating a rug, there are other ways to knit home decors that readers can explore, such as making a pouf ottoman, wall hanging, or table runner. |
Gather The Supplies
- You’ll need a few basic supplies to get started.
- Yarn and needles: If you don’t have these, they can be bought at any craft store.
- Scissors that are sharp enough to cut through yarn.
- A ruler, or something else that’s straight and stable enough to use as a guide while you’re creating your rug (we suggest using a tape measure).
Want to create more unique DIY home decors? Check out our guide on how to knit a pouf ottoman to add handmade touches to your personal space
Chose A Pattern
Choosing a pattern is the first step in making your own rug. It’s important to choose a pattern that is easy to read and follow, and one that you’ll enjoy knitting. There are many free patterns online.
Some of these can be found by searching “rug knit” or “rug hooking,” but if you’re looking for something specific, Google will find it for you!
You may also want to search Ravelry, an online community where people share their creations and ask questions about how they were made.
Selected Pattern Options for Knitted Rugs
| Pattern | Type | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Moss Stitch Rug | Classic | Easy |
| Bobble Sheepskin Rug | Cozy | Intermediate |
| Rainbow Rug | Colorful | Advanced |
| Herringbone Rug | Modern | Intermediate |
| Checkerboard Rug | Traditional | Easy |
Note: The table shows different patterns that can be used for knitting a rug. The level indicates the level of knitting expertise required to complete the pattern. The selected pattern will depend on the knitter’s preference and level of skill.
On this site there are thousands of patterns available as well as many helpful tutorials on how to read graphs, etc., so don’t worry if this seems like too much work at first!
Aside from bringing out the Christmas spirit, knitted ornaments and stockings can also be a great addition to your home decor. Check out our guide on patterns for Christmas stockings and ornaments to start decorating your home for the season.
Cast Your Stitches On To The Needle
The first step in knitting is casting on, which creates the foundation for your project. Casting on involves creating a series of loops around a needle, which are then joined together by knitting and purling stitches.
This is where you’ll start to get acquainted with your tools: the right size crochet hook, knitting needles (also called straight needles), circular needles, double-pointed needles, or even just some scrap yarn will work fine for this step.
To cast on with a crochet hook:
- Place slipknot over thumb; hold thumb and index finger together on one side of loop
- With other hand insert hook into loop from backside through frontside; grab end of yarn and pull through loop
- Pull new loop through last two loops made by inserting hook into same place as before—you now have three loops remaining! Repeat these steps until desired number of stitches has been achieved (usually 10-15).
Looking to knit something after creating a rug? We’ve got you covered with our list of 15 patterns for beautiful pillows and throws that you can use to elevate your home decor
Begin To Knit A Square
Once you’ve got the basic casting-on and knitting down, it’s time to start your rug. Again, this is a very simple square pattern that is easily increased or decreased in size as desired.
To begin, cast on 30 stitches using the long tail method (i.e., not on double point needles).
Knit 1 row purl 1 row until you have 30 rows total, then bind off loosely with an elastic bind off technique (e.g., “ladder”). Your first square has been completed!
Steps for Knitting a Square
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cast on stitches, the number will depend on the desired size of the square. |
| 2 | Knit every row until it reaches the desired length. |
| 3 | Bind off to finish the square. |
| 4 | Weave in the ends using a tapestry needle. |
| 5 | Block the square if needed to help set the stitches and shape. |
Repeat The Pattern To Make A Square
Once you have one square, you can make another. How to do this depends on how many rounds you want your rug to be.
To make a 9-round rug with 15 stitches in each round and a garter stitch border, follow these steps:
- Knit two rows of garter stitch (turning your work).
- Increase by knitting into the front and back of each stitch (turning your work) until there are 21 stitches on the needle.
- Knit three more rows of garter stitching before turning your work again and picking up new stitches from those increased stitches.
Repeat these four steps until there are the same number of rows as you want for your rug—for example: nine times for a 9-round rug with 15 sts per round & 2 sts per inch gauge used throughout this tutorial
If you’re looking for more ways to make your living room more cozy, we suggest making a hand-knitted throw that you can snuggle up into. Check out our guide to learn how to create one for yourself
Knit Another Square For The Rug
If you want to make a rug from scratch, it’s important that your squares are all the same size. Otherwise, the rug will not turn out.
It’s also crucial that you choose similar colours and patterns for each square. If one colour or pattern is noticeably different than another, it will look bad when they are put together in a larger piece of knitting.
Add More Squares To Create A Rug
Once you’ve knitted your first square and are ready to begin making a rug, add more squares! The easiest way to do this is by crocheting. If you don’t know how to crochet, don’t worry: there are plenty of resources online that can teach you the basics in no time at all.
To start adding squares, pick up where you left off on the last stitch and yarn over (drawing the needle through loops).
Then, insert your needle into the same space where it came out before but instead of going through that stitch again, come up one row lower than where you started on this new square’s edge (just under where the stitch marker is).
The other side of this new square will also have holes every other row from when we increased before; simply go through those holes like normal when inserting your needle back onto this square’s side. Continue in this way until all 16 stitches have been worked (8 stitches per side).
You’ll want to make sure each new square is exactly the same size as its neighbor(s), so measure them after every few rounds until they look even enough for you!
Aside from creating a rug, why not add a wall hanging to your home decor through knitting? Check out our guide to learn how to make one step by step
Sew The Squares Together
Once you have all of your squares sewn together, it’s time to start sewing them onto the rug. If you have a sewing machine, this will be easy.
If not, we recommend using a needle and thread. You’ll want to sew from the back of each square through its adjoining squares (but not through the front!). This will ensure that when it comes time for trimming your edges later on in this process, all points are even.
Steps for Sewing Squares Together to Create a Knitted Rug
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Block each knitted square to ensure uniformity in size and shape. |
| 2 | Arrange the squares in the desired pattern or layout. |
| 3 | Using a tapestry needle and yarn, sew the squares together one by one using a whip stitch or a mattress stitch. |
| 4 | Weave in the ends to hide the knots and cut off any excess yarn. |
| 5 | Block the entire rug to set the shape and stitches, if needed. |
Add The Backing
If you want to add a backing, use a piece of fabric that is the same size as the rug. Sew it to the back of the rug using either hand or machine stitching. You can sew it in place with yarn or thread, and then cut off any excess from your seams so that only an inch or so sticks out from each side.
Conclusion
So, did you know that a rug can be made in your own backyard? You don’t need to go out and buy one at the store. With some time, effort, and creativity, making your own rug can be an extremely rewarding experience. It’s super affordable too!
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about knitting and creating rugs, here are some resources you might find useful:
Love Life Yarn’s Knit Rug Patterns: A collection of various knit rug patterns and design inspirations for knitters of all skill levels.
Masterclass’ How to Make a Rug: A comprehensive guide on rug-making covering different techniques and materials used.
Hands Occupied’s Bulky Knit Rug Throw: A step-by-step guide on how to make a soft and warm rug throw using a chunky yarn.
FAQs
What is the best yarn to use for making a rug?
The best type of yarn for making a rug is wool yarn, especially those labeled as worsted weight or thicker. Other excellent fiber choices include alpaca, cotton, and polyester.
How long does it take to knit a rug from scratch?
The time it takes to knit a rug depends on various factors such as the size of the rug, the type of pattern being used, and the knitter’s skill level. On average, it takes around 1-2 weeks to finish a small to medium-sized rug.
Can you use variegated yarn for a while making a rug?
Yes, you can use variegated yarn for making a rug, especially if you want to add color and texture to your project. Just make sure to choose a pattern that can highlight the beauty of the yarn.
Is it possible to make a rug using only basic knitting techniques?
Yes, it is possible to make a rug using only basic knitting techniques like casting on, knit stitches, purl stitches, and binding off. However, some patterns may require additional techniques like decreases, increases, and yarn overs.
How do you clean and maintain a knitted rug?
To clean and maintain a knitted rug, you can shake off any loose dirt, dust, or debris on a regular basis. You can also use a gentle vacuum or sweep it with a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt that’s trapped inside the fibers. For more stubborn stains, spot clean the area using a mild detergent or fabric cleaner, then blot dry with a clean cloth.
My name is Hellen James, and I’m a crochet and knitting expert. I’ve been crocheting since I was just a kid, but I started taking it seriously when I realized that it was a great way to de-stress and relax. Now that I have kids of my own, I love teaching them how to do it too!