How to Make a Rag Strip Rug

Crocheting rag strip rugs is an easy and relaxing pastime. They are very quick to make because the stitches are big and the fabric is bulky. You can use old clothing for your rag strips, or, like the rag strip heart rug pattern, you can purchase your fabric by the yard to make your rag strips. If purchasing your fabric, you can keep the cost down by looking for clearance or markdown fabric. The color is what is important because the design on the fabric will be lost in the stitches. Don't pass up a good deal because of an obnoxious design.

Things You'll Need

• 6 yards of 45-inch-wide fabric Scissors Ruler Q crochet hook

Instructions

Prepare the Rag Strips

1. Cut 1½-inch-wide rag strips across the width of the fabric. For a more raggedy appearance, you could rip the rag strips.

2. Snip a small slit on both ends of the rag strips approximately ½ inch from the ends.

3. Place a rag strip with the right side of the fabric facing up. Place the end of another rag strip over the end of the first. Line up the slits. Bring the other end of the second rag strip up through the lined up slits. Tug the rag strips to connect.

4. Continue to join the rest of the rag strips to the last one connected.

Crocheting the Rag Strip Heart Body

1. Chain 2 for the beginning point of the heart. Single crochet five times in the first chain from the hook. Do not crochet in the chain the hook is in. Turn.

2. Chain 2; this will count as the first half-double crochet. In the same stitch, half-double crochet. Continue to half-double crochet in the next three single crochet stitches. Half-double crochet twice in the final single crochet stitch for a total of seven half-double crochet stitches. Turn.

3. Repeat Step 2 10 times. You will finish with a total of 27 half-double crochet stitches at the end of the last repeat and a total of 12 rows. Do not finish off the rag strip.

Crocheting the Top Left Side

1. Chain 2, this will count as the first half double crochet. Continue to half double crochet in the next 12 stitches. Slip stitch in the next stitch. Leave the remaining 13 stitches in the row unstitched. You will finish with a total of 13 half double crochet stitches. This is the right side of the rag strip heart rug. Turn.

2. Slip stitch in the first half double crochet stitch. Chain 2 and half double crochet in each stitch across the row for a total of 12 half double crochet. Turn.

3. Skip the first stitch. Half double crochet in each stitch across to the last half double crochet stitch. Slip stitch in the last half double crochet stitch for a total of 10 half double crochet stitches. Turn.

4. Repeat step 3. You will end with a total of 8 half double crochet stitches. Finish off the rag strip and weave it into the back of the rag strip heart rug.

Crocheting the Top Right Side

1. Join the rag strip to row 12 of the rag strip rug with a slip stitch in the first half double crochet and with the wrong side of the rag rug facing you.

2. Chain 2, this will count as the first half double crochet. Continue to half double crochet in the next 12 stitches. Slip stitch in the next stitch. Leave the remaining 13 stitches in the row unstitched. You will finish with a total of 13 half double crochet stitches. This is the right side of the rag strip rug. Turn.

3. Slip stitch in the first half double crochet stitch. Chain 2 and half double crochet in each stitch across the row for a total of 12 half double crochet. Turn.

4. Skip the first stitch. Half double crochet in each stitch across to the last half double crochet stitch. Slip stitch in the last half double crochet stitch for a total of 10 half double crochet stitches. Turn.

5. Repeat step 3. You will end with a total of 8 half double crochet stitches. Finish off the rag strip and weave it into the back of the rag strip rug.

Rag Strip Rug Edging

1. Face the front of the rag strip rug toward you. Join the rag strip with a slip stich in the middle slip stitch of the top left and right side of the rag strip heart rug.

2. Single stitch in each stitch and row end around the rag strip heart rug.

3. Slip stitch in the starting single crochet and finish off the rag strip. Weave the end into the back of the rug.

Tips & Warnings

• Slip stitch in the starting single crochet and finish off the rag strip. Weave the end into the back of the rug.