How to Crochet a Rug out of T-Shirts

comments (32) January 13th, 2009

cal patch, contributor

86 users recommend

Its easy to crochet a rag rug made from strips from old T-shirts.

This is all youll need to make your own upcycled rag rug.

Begin cutting at the bottom hem of the shirt. I cut this part half as wide since its two layers.

It's easy to crochet a rag rug made from strips from old T-shirts.

Photo: Cal Patch

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It gives me a thrill to make something new, that's useful and beautiful, out of something old and unwanted. Oversized, corporate logo-ed T-shirts are a plentiful resource at your local thrift store or maybe even in your own closet. One of my favorite uses for them is to cut them into strips and crochet them into rugs, like your grandmother's old braided rag rugs but much easier to make!

You will need:

T-shirts (anywhere from two on up, depending on size rug desired), the bigger the better
Scissors
Giant crochet hook (I used 15 mm)

This is all you'll need to make your own upcycled rag rug.

1. Cut the shirts into strips, approximately 1 inch wide. Starting at the bottom, cut in a spiral all the way up the body of the tee, and roll the strip into a ball. Stretch it out as you wind so that the jersey curls up into a cord.

Begin cutting at the bottom hem of the shirt. I cut this part half as wide since it's two layers.

Wind the strip into a ball as you cut.

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Rug from T-Shirts
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posted in: fabric, upcycle, tshirt, home, rug

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Comments (32)

Punkins2 writes: I am about to start crocheting your t-shirt rug. I cannot find a crochet hook as large as you suggested - a size 15mm.

Why is such a large hook needed? And, will I get just as good results with a 9mm or a K hook? Also, would you please give me directions on how to make a square rug?

Thank you
Posted: 1:38 pm on February 4th

tweedlebug31 writes: Just made my first one and posted pic. Turned out very nice and was easier than I thought it would be.
Posted: 11:35 am on October 27th

Valorietx writes: Beautiful...I would love to make a few of these to use in my home since area rugs are getting so expensive. And these are perfect!
But how do you determine the shape of the rug? The round ones are fairly self-explanatory but some of the other unique shapes like the octagon, oval, etc. I have no idea how to make those shapes, please help!
Thanks in advance for any information on this great project and any other "rug" ideas are welcome too. I am in an apartment and they carpet is probably older than I am. They refuse to replace it and I am not going to invest that kind of money in a rental but I definitely need some ideas for inexpensive area rugs.
Valorie
Posted: 9:23 pm on September 16th

ciara_belle writes: what a great idea - can use old jeans for extra strong rug, or old sheets, and dress shirts..
Posted: 10:31 am on August 3rd

chammer writes: CalPatch.... you are the BOMB!!! Finding you has been a God send. Not only do I love this rug, but the timing is perfect. I had foot surgery about 1-week ago, on crutches, and I am supposed to stay off my feet as much as possible. MUCH easier said than done!!! However, you have given me something fun, creative, and productive to do that will help keep me and my foot where they need to be. Your tutorial is great and just from what little time I've been able to spend on your site I can tell you I look forward to coming back often.

Thanks so very much for sharing....see ya soon!
~Cheryl
Posted: 11:33 am on July 25th

ariyarga writes: This looks like so much fun! I need a couple of bathroom mats and this is perfect!
Posted: 12:59 am on June 8th

chips48 writes: What an awesome idea. I'll be doing this for sure.

Have a great day!

Christine
Posted: 12:54 am on May 23rd

CalPatch writes: sarsar67: i still haven't finished this rug (shhh, don't tell!) but i can send you a photo of another one if you send me your e-mail address. mine is cal[At]hodgepodgefarm.net
Posted: 9:14 pm on May 19th

sarsar67 writes: Cal Patch! You are amazing..
just wanted to ask you something..
well could you please please put up a picture (or send me one) of the full rug.. or any rag rugs you have made..
thanks!
i need it for this art project..
Posted: 12:25 pm on May 19th

silverhawk319 writes: Think i'll do mine granny square style,love the idea
Posted: 1:41 pm on March 11th

Jen1964 writes: I've been crocheting with old bedsheets & cotton shirting, but they give off lint & threads... contemplating braiding, but that takes too long, and you have the extra step of sewing. So far, I've done placemats, a potholder, and a craftbag with pockets (lined with fabric from a shortened dress. Pockets are same stuff.
SO, I like your method of joining sans thread... and will try it next project. And I bet the knitted cotton doesn't "shed" as much. Besides, it's another look.
I've found that the 1 inch material gives a neat larger size, but a 1/2 inch makes another weight of product just as nice. Must have strong hands for this, so I don't do it often or for long. Wouldn't want to aggravate tendon problems or RSI (repetitive strain injuries).
Posted: 10:42 am on February 22nd

Irish_Lass writes: I'm going to round up all my husband's old shirts. This really sounds fun!
Posted: 9:39 pm on February 20th

cynergyplus1 writes: Love this idea! Thanks Cal Patch. My oval bathroom rug was started with a chain of 20 stitches. It took 7 t-shirts (most size XL) to make a rug 39"x 26". I'm looking forward to making more of these in different colors and shapes!
Posted: 7:10 pm on January 28th

BoDyanDSouL writes: what a grate idea, I'm not a knitter, but I could see myself do one of this
Posted: 5:08 am on January 26th

popoagie writes: Wow. This takes me back to my childhood when I used to hook rugs and then to college when I would make rugs for the cold floor with old sheets and other cast offs from the dorm. Using freecycle as a resource, I can see this as being a very green endeavor indeed!
Posted: 7:44 pm on January 25th

Morethanskinsdeep writes: Boy am I glad I found your post! I'm stating a project this summer using my BIL's t-shirts (may he rest in peace) to make quilts, now I can use the backs of those shirts too to make rugs! Oh I'm so excited.
Posted: 12:56 pm on January 25th

shrtcke writes: I love this! I don't really crochet but I know some basics so I will have to try this. Great color shoices! I'd love to see a pic of the whole finished rug.
Posted: 11:34 am on January 22nd

CalPatch writes: hi valorietx! my fave way to start a circle is:

chain 2
round 1: 5 single crochets into the 2nd chain from hook, (do not join)
round 2: into the first single crochet of round 1, do 2 sc, and continue around putting 2 sc in every stitch
round 3: 2sc in first stitch, 1sc in next, repeat around
round 4: 2sc in first stitch, 1sc in next 2 sts, repeat around
round 5: 2sc in first stitch, 1sc in next 3 sts, repeat around

and repeat accordingly until the rug is as big as you want. in general, for every round you will put one additional sc between the increases.

to finish, after my last sc, i do 3-4 slip stitches to blend in to the edge. then finish off.

good luck and happy hooking ;n)
Posted: 1:35 pm on January 20th

sewittoday writes: Such a cool and pratical way to use up t-shirts. I bet you can just throw it in the wash when it gets dirty. I read an article in Sew News about a lady that uses her t-shirts to make cool panties. They are already shrunk, so they are good and broken in. Can't wait to try this super idea. A little rug would look great in my sewing room. Thanks
Posted: 5:01 pm on January 18th

island_girl writes: What a great idea for all those t-shirts that are stained or has lost their appeal.
Posted: 4:17 pm on January 17th

dette writes: Fabulous! no tee shirt will be safe in my house now!! I started a rag rug using rags ie fabric from my stash but it wasn't working as I'd hoped plus it seemed to take masses of fabric for a small piece of work. Thanks for the nifty trick on how to join fabric too.
Posted: 8:12 pm on January 16th

sbmore writes: I've been hording tshirts for a quilt but this looks like more fun and I think a small one would be perfect for in front of my daughter's play kitchen. It's on my official to do (sometime in the next 10 years, maybe) list.
Posted: 8:10 pm on January 16th

Valorietx writes: Can you please explain to me exactly how to get the rug started...do you make a long line of single stitch or what? I guess I'm not sure how to make it start going in a circle.
Thanks for the help!
Posted: 5:34 pm on January 16th

Knittingdoc writes: This is an excellent tutorial for making the rug with tee shirts. I particularly like the large clear pictures. I've always wanted to learn how to join strips using the slit method. Thank you for illustrating it.

David Thomas MD
http://knittingdoc.wordpress.com
Posted: 12:09 pm on January 14th

CalPatch writes: hmmm, good question, SewMuch1920! i got about 2 square feet out of an XL men's T, or maybe a little less. it will depend on the thickness of your strips, too...
Posted: 11:08 am on January 14th

SewMuch1920 writes: I hate the feel the polyester bathroom rug when I get out of the shower. Since I outgrew a lot of white shirts, this would be a fabulous way of getting a cotton rug in there. I'd have to put some grippy stuff down though.

How many square inches (roughly) do you think you can get out of each shirt? (say a women's medium)
Posted: 9:36 pm on January 13th

JenniferStern writes: Maybe I should trade my knitting needles (trying to do the mini cardi) for a big crochet hook...great project!
Posted: 7:04 pm on January 13th

Priamanda writes: I have made these with several different materials and adjust the thickness and how wide the strips are cut. I also just learned toothbrush rugs and the two are really similar. I love to use up what would be trash otherwise.
Posted: 5:50 pm on January 13th

IHaveYarnIssues writes: What a great idea! (Thinking to self, and open to others thoughts) I am making a t-shirt quilt for my daughter I wonder if I could use the "extras" this way?
Posted: 4:50 pm on January 13th