Handmade Yarn Shag Rugs

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Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Rugs are a crucial element to making a room feel cozy and inviting. Although it may seem an arduous and time-consuming project, rug weaving is a great partner activity and can help you decompress after a long day. Create custom floor coverings for your home with wonderful textures and patterns using a latch hook tool and your favorite wool yarns.

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Things You'll Need

  • Several skeins of yarn in various colors

  • Latch hook tool

  • Latch hook rug canvas

  • Scissors

  • Iron on edge binding

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15 large skeins of wool yarn were cut and woven into the 3-by-5 foot rug pictured. Wool yarn can get expensive so mix in acrylic or cotton yarns to achieve a textures look without compromising on comfort.

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Step 1: Cut Yarn

Cut 3-inch to 5-inch lengths of yarn to weave into your rug. Wrap yarn around your fingers or a scrap piece of cardboard to cut multiple sections at a time.

Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter
Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

The longer the cut pieces of yarn, the higher the pile of your rug will be, so determine your preferred look before cutting.

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Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Step 2: Start Using the Latch Hook Tool

A latch hook tool essentially aides in the creation of a slipknot around a section of the grid. Insert the metal hook under one section of the rug canvas, taking care that the latch is open.

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Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Insert a piece of yarn under the handle of the tool, pulling the edges even on either side.

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Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Pulling both ends of the yarn together, catch them in the hook of the tool and pull in the opposite direction of the latch opening.

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Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter
Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

By pulling the tool towards you, the latch will automatically close. Continue pulling the tool towards you, to draw the ends of the yarn under the section of rug canvas and through the loop.

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Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter
Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Pull the ends downward to tighten. Thicker yarns may require an extra tug to pull them through.

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Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Working row by row from the bottom up is the easiest method of latch-hook rug weaving. Try folding finished sections under to make unfilled canvas grid easier to access.

Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Step 3: Create Shapes

Create patterns by using the grid of the rug canvas or allow a design to develop organically.

Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Outline shapes on the grid in your desired color and fill them in working from bottom up.

Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Step 4: Finish Edges

You can find iron-on or glue-on binding for the bottom edge of your rug in the knitting section of most craft stores. This will keep the edges of the rug canvas intact through use.

Image Credit: Lindsey Crafter

Layer your finished rug with floor pillows and sheepskins for a bohemian look, or use your woven masterpiece as textural wall art by hanging it from nails above your bed!

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