DIY Latch Hook Rug Canvas

Use plastic canvas to make latch hook rugs.

Latch hook rugs are made by using a special hook to tie short pieces of yarn onto a mesh canvas. The yarn pieces' patterns and colors create an overall visual effect, making the finished rug a highly decorative item. Although special rug canvas is sold for this type of needlecraft, make your own at home with plastic canvas. Plastic canvas has a mesh pattern that is similar to rug canvas. It also forms a sturdy base for latch hook projects, which may be helpful for those beginning the craft.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic canvas sheets
• Needle
• Clear fishing wire
• Scissors
• Masking tape
• Ruler
• Wide felt-tipped marker

Instructions

1. Line up the sheets of plastic canvas until they match the approximate dimensions of your desired canvas size. Trim the edges down to size if necessary. Proceed to Step 5 if you only need one sheet of plastic canvas.

2. Overlap two sheets of plastic canvas. Hold the sheets together so that the four lengthwise lines of the top sheet evenly cover the four lengthwise lines of the bottom sheet.

3. Use the needle and clear fishing wire to sew over the lined-up mesh. Make a diagonal whipstitch at every intersection of mesh on the overlapped sheets. Bring the needle and wire up through a bottom square and put it back through the square directly above and to the right. Do this until the overlapped section is completely sewn down.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until all of the plastic canvas sheets are sewn to each other. When you make your latch hook rug, bring the yarn through the overlapped layers as if they were one layer.

5. Wrap the edges of the plastic canvas with masking tape. The tape should evenly cover both sides of the plastic canvas. This will keep the edges from catching or impeding on your work. Add a normal finish to the edges once you have completed your main rug pattern.

6. Use the ruler to find the exact center of your DIY canvas. Mark the center with the wide felt-tipped marker. This will help you when you apply your design pattern.

References

• "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework"; 1979