Rag Rug Decor Uses - Crocheted Rag Rug Making Tips.
A crocheted rug adds that little extra color to any room or some warm country charm.
Rag rugs can take any abuse a home has to offer! Those muddy shoes coming through the door, to food spills by the stove. Plus, nothing beats a nice soft cushiony crocheted rag rug by the kitchen sink when doing the dishes. Just what you would need after a long day's work and having to do the washing up after dinner. And since they are machine washable, it makes them a no fuss decorative floor covering. Each rag rug can be coordinated to match or compliment most home decor. Your hardwood, vinyl,
tile, marble, or wall-to-wall carpeted floors would look great with a rag rug. Crocheted rag rugs look great in a bathroom. Toilet contour and seat covers are also available.Rag rugs are just as decorative as they are functional.
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All the fabric strips are cut and not torn. Stacey feels that tearing the fabric causes to much stress on it. Plus, in her opinion, tearing causes more threads and fabric dust in the house. She rolls the raw edges in, but even though this is done some threading still occurs after washing. Normally by the 3rd wash, the rugs stop threading. Pre-washing the fabric of course is also not an option, as most of the fabric is purchased in rolls or strips in bags, commonly known as mill end fabrics. So you can imagine how the fabric would look after washing! Most of the strips still need to be cut down to size, so there is still a time factor and work involved with making them. Intense creativity is devoted to each rug. These factors are considered and each rag rug is priced accordingly. Cotton blend sheeting, upholstery or drapery weight, cotton/poly decorator, are the fabric textiles used. Other textiles like macramé cording are sometimes used. Crocheting with other textiles can be fun as well as finding new looks to a rug! |
Interested in making a rag rug yourself?
Perhaps these few rug making tips might help.
If you have never crocheted most of the basic rag rugs are relatively easy. The knowledge of the single crochet stitch is needed. Knowing how to increase and decrease will be helpful on making many shapes such as oval, round, rectangle, and heart shaped rugs. There are plenty of patterns available for rag crochet. So you can easily be on your way making your own rugs, baskets, and more rag crochet items!
If you are not a beginner at crochet, keep in mind that fabric is not like all the other textiles you may have used. It is bulkier and takes a little more work pulling through. So this may be a little more work than you are use to. If you have carpel tunnel or suffer from arthritis, it may be to hard on you.
Most people use a "Q" hook. However we would recommended a "P" hook for newcomers to rag crochet, with smaller rag strip widths. Fabric strips widths are a personal preference and what is easiest for the person. Sometimes it can depend on the type of rag rug you are making, the techniques, and crochet stitches you need to use.
Heavy weight fabrics can be mixed with sheet weight, just cut the fabric strips widths accordingly to insure proper gauge. It takes approximately 4 pounds of fabric to make an average sized rag rug. This will convert to approximately 12 to 16 yards of fabric depending on the type of fabric used for the rug.
With all the factors involved with rag rug making, sometime it is just easier to have someone else do it. You will still get a beautiful handmade rug that can be a treasure later.
A Look At Other Crafts
Hand sewn products that accessorize your whole house. Kitchen accessories like placemats can be sewn or crocheted. Crocheted hot pads make cute decor items for the counter tops.
Rag baskets
can be crocheted. Crocheted baskets can be made to match your rag rug. Just
another little added touch to add charm to your home. A crocheted basket is just
the right touch to add color to a room. Plus, crocheted rag baskets are just as
durable as the rag rugs. Candle rings are another uniquely designed items that
can be crocheted.
Beautiful silk arrangements in the baskets are a nice compliment. Why have fresh flower arrangements that die, when you can have a silk arrangement that will last forever?
Like rag rugs lasting the test of time, Classic literature of William Shakespeare will last forever.
More useful information:
Rag
Rug HistoryResourcesSpecialty Crocheted Rag Rugs
Specialty rag rugs are crocheted with unique pattern and design.
Fabric tapestry rag rugs can be done with several techniques. The tapestry rugs here are done with tapestry crochet.
Rag rugs with unusual or uncommon shapes are considered specialty rugs also.
To make some of the rag rug designs, different crochet techniques are used. Narrower rag strip is used with some of the techniques to create these beauties. These techniques bring a new aspect in rug making in the 21st century. Most of these rugs can be used as wall hangings or floor rugs.
Tapestry rag rug designs are original patterns.
All of the rug designs are original patterns for the shaped rugs and tapestry designs. Patterns are drawn with planned stitches. Rag Rugs of this nature are time consuming, but the outcome is worth it!
