I love having a rug in front of my kitchen sink. It's that added touch that make my kitchen feel a bit cozier. When putting away my holiday rug a few weeks ago, I pulled out my regular (no seasonal) rug and to say it's looking a bit worn is putting it mildly.

I found a few cute rag rug tutorials on Pinterest, but none that were exactly what I wanted. So, I decided to create my own how-to video. I started this project yesterday, so you can see how fast it is to create.

Step 1: Gathering the Materials

You can use whatever fabric you want! I wanted mine to match my kitchen, so I took a quick trip to the fabric store and selected a yard or two of fabrics I liked. When selecting fabrics, it's more important to select colors you like rather than pattern. Unless the patterns are small, you won't be able to see them anyway.

You don't have to spend a lot (or any) money to make this project, you could use what you already have around the house!

Ideas for fabric/scraps:

Sheets and pillowcases
Men's shirts
T-Shirts
Old pj's
Denim jeans
Thrift store or garage sale finds
Old curtains
Remnant fabrics
Dishtowels

Step 2: Preparing the Fabric

Now that you've gathered your fabric, you'll need to cut it into strips. I place my ruler a little bit from the edge, then snip the fabric at 1 1/2" increments.

Then rather than cutting the strips, I rip them! Ripping is much easier and faster than cutting, it's more accurate, and it makes a very satisfying sound. I also like the rustic look of the torn edges.

Here is a pile of my torn strips. Some tutorials suggest you join all the fabric strips and wrap them into fabric balls so they are ready to use before you begin the project. My approach is a bit unorthodox, I don't like to prepare all my fabric ahead of time. I tear up about a dozen strips, then crochet a little bit, then rip some more fabric, and so on...then I can change fabrics as I go.

Joining the strips

It's a lot easier to join the strips before you crochet them. This method of joining allows you to crochet along as if you are working with one unending strip of fabric. No yarn ends to weave in later, I love that part.

Here's how you join the strips of fabric:

Cut a small slit into each end of the fabric strips.

The slit only need to be wide enough for a strip of fabric to slip through. I make mine about 1" long. To join the strips, we'll call this green strip, Strip A.

Now, slide Strip A, through the slit of Strip B.

Then, slide the other end of Strip B through the slit of Strip A and pull the entire strip through the slit.

Now, the strips are joined. I like how the ends link together. It adds a nice bit of dimension to your rug having a little tuft of fabric sticking up here and there.

Just keep joining the strips like that to create a long piece to work with. I join a few pieces, crochet for a bit to see how it's working up, then change fabric, work a little more, etc.

Crochet the Rug

Using a size P/11.5 mm crochet hook, chain 33

Beginning in the second chain from the hook, work 1 single crochet in each chain across (32 single crochet stitches).
Chain 1 and turn. Work 1 single crochet in each single crochet across (32 single crochet stitches).
Repeat #2 until rug reaches desired length.
Cut fabric leaving approximately a 6" tail. Pull tail through last loop. Weave in yarn ends.

More Free Crochet Patterns