I finished my largest knit rag rug to date. This was made using gigantic (size 35) knitting needles. It measures 28" wide by 35" long, and it's an inch thick! It literally weighs almost 5 pounds. It's one of my favorite things that I've ever made.
This is the ultimate scrap project. For the fabric, I used skinny strips, strings and selvages that otherwise would have been tossed in the trash. It feels so thrifty and SO good to make a rug out of those seemingly useless leftovers. The rug looks instantly vintage...like something that would have come from Grandma's house. In a good way! :)
The texture is incredible! It massages your feet when you step on it. An added bonus, I get a sneak peek of some of my favorite fabrics in the rug. So much goodness!!
I worked on this rug off and on for about 2 1/2 months. I only remember that because I got a fresh batch of selvages from Jennifer at the quilt retreat last November and I started it after that. :) Thanks so much, Jen! This is one of those projects that is nice to have going at all times...which means I think it's time to start another! Now it's your turn! Please link up your finish for the week, then go ahead and cheer on some of the other finishers, too. Thank for joining in my linky party! Happy Friday to you!
76 comments:
I love your rug! I would have never thought of knitting one - what a great idea!
Oh I wish I would have kept my long skinny scraps...DANG IT!!!!! That is super cute!
what a great way to use up scraps! i have a similar rug in my kitchen and it's held up for 2 year. it always looks great after washing!
The rug is WONDERFUL!! My daughter made me a similar one and it's my favorite!
Yes, an instant vintage look and I can image the stucture, the feel! What a lovely way to use all of those leftover (unwanted) strips.
Great!
I can attest to the fact that those feel great under your feet. If I send you my little strips will you make one for me? ; )
I finished a queen-sized t-shirt quilt and then promptly wrapped it up without a photo! I blame the influence of my sinus infection - or at least, the drugs to treat said sinuses!
That's a super cool rug Crazy Mom. I hope you're using it somewhere fun!
LOVE, love, LOVE, love the rug!!! I want to make one (or two...LOL)...
awesome rug!
I love it the rug. I might have to try it.
Definitely love for your rug!
Thats pretty cool. I would have never thought about that. We are saving our scraps right now for a bed for our puppy, but I might need to try your rug.... great idea!
This is pretty amazing, Amanda! I can't knit but maybe I can find a way to crochet a rug with my selvages!
You are a continuous inspiration, truly!
Jane
Love. love. love. your rug
This is so cool! I would love to make one of these too! You are so inspirational:)
Beautiful! I've had a knitted rag rug in progress for so long I daren't even say...
I think I'll have to learn how to knit, this is a fantastic use of fabric scraps and/or used clothing.
I love your rug! I've made a few rag rugs and they are so nice to keep or to give as gifts.
Love this! How do I go about making one? I love the idea of using up otherwise unusable scraps ;)
This is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen! Way to go, being super creative and putting a modern/thrifty spin on things! Love it! You should do a tut!! :)
What a great use of scraps! I don't think I've ever used knitting needles that large.
~Judy
WONDERFUL! Now I can be useful with those scraps and not feel guilty by throwing them away anymore! It looks great too! Nice job! Thanks for sharing it!
Oh my word!!! Thank you for the inspiration... I'll start saving scraps today!
Love your rug, Amanda Jean! I may have to give that a try myself....
FABULOUS PROJECT! Can you tell us how you attach the strings to one another before knitting? Thanks!
That is so awesome Amanda, I love it. Now I want to make one. I'm super impressed by how many people are finishing things in your linky, so awesome.
I myself haven't finished anything crafty in a long while, although this week we finished the first year since 22 Feb of earthquakes. That in itself is an achievement with 10000 earthquakes and aftershocks. We are choosing to give thanks this week.
Gorgeous! Did you tie all the scraps together first and make a ball of "yarn"? And then knit? How on earth does this work?
There is only one thing I can say ( and I don't say it very often) - O M G ! I so hate to throw anything away, I always wanted to do something with those strips that we're left behind when cutting quilts. Now I know that it is possible.
I am sure I could experiment and make it up as I go along, but were you thinking of a tutorial? Or even just a few pictures as you are going along, when you start your new one?
Amanda Jean you are my hero, you are so talented :)
X
You rock! I love that rug. Just picked an WIP because of your star quilt and finished a project more easily because of you. Thanks for being an inspiration! :)
I seriously love your rug! How adorable and so colorful...swoon.
Thanks for hosting!!! Smiles~Beth
My first time linking up! Love the the rug!
I hope you have time to post the rug up on Ravelry, with all the details of how you made it. It is marvelous!
Now thats a really nice way to recycle stuff that would normally go into the bin. GJ well done. ;)
I had to link up an old finish from last fall, but I havent linked it before so should be ok. Its even actually 2 finishes.
Next friday there should be at least one fresh one though if I can get some time for it during the week. Have a great weekend all.
Didn't get my quilt border finished this week. So I have that to look forward to next week! Lack just a little but no time to finish right now.
Barbara @ http://quiltinggrannie.blogspot.com
We most definitely need some instructions or something for that rug, that is an awesome way to use up those teeny strips. I am seriously in love with it!
'Tis a lovely rug - even better when one can feel the texture, as this eyewitness can attest.
May you enjoy it for many years.
amazing
Unfortunately I don't have a digital camera, so I can't link to your post. I got the quilt done, plus finished two books AND got my haircut this week.
What a neat idea for a rug. Love it! Great job! Would love to have you come link-up at Finished it Friday! Have a fabulous weekend!
~Kimberlee, The Spunky Diva
Oops, I commented on an older post. Sorry!
I love your rug!
That is SO cool! I love it!!!
You amaze me. Now I need to start saving my selvedges and such. Well done!
The rug is really cute. Hmmm...might need a rug.
WOW! All I can say is amazing that you knitted this rug. Several years ago I crocheted 3 oval rugs from fabric strips(I really should post pics soon) but I have never knitted one. I adore anything with the old scrappy look and the fact that you used scraps that would otherwise be pitched in the waste basket. I have a quilting book that has patterns of quilt tops made from the salvage edge of the fabric. One day I hope to try that too. Thanks for sharing.
Susanne :)
Wow what a fabulous idea! I don't knit, but I do crochet and I am definately going to give this a try with my garbage bag full of selvages my quilt guild saved up for me! LOL Thanks for sharing...you just gave me a new project : )
I love your rag rug and would love to know how you did it. Please tell.... Thanks.
Beautiful! Do you ever feel bad walking on it? That's what I'm afraid will happen if I ever delve into making a rug.
The rug is really cool. Do you just knot the ends together?
OMG! I love this rug. I would love to make one of these for my new house!!! If you don't mind telling... Did you tie the scraps together into one long strip? Also, did you just use a knit stitch? Thanks for any info!
Love the knitted rag rug. I just finished my first quilt using African fabrics. I would love to make this rug with my scraps. In this post you said you used size 35 needles, in a previous post you used size 17 needles. Which size is better to use? Thanks. Karen
Ohhh, I knew something would come up for the selvedges and skinny scraps! I knew I should have been saving them! I am opening a new Ikea box tonight, although I am not a knitter, I can do plain stitch. Thankyou for sharing!! Btw, I love it!!!
I absolutely LOVE your rug!!!! I am going to have to get on that one ... I, too, enjoy having something to do ongoing, including the in-between stuff that I just can't stay away from. My family would call that a disorder ... hmmmmm ... Thanks for sharing and I'll be posting next week on a finished project of my own. (:
You are amazing for using every single bit of fabric you have. I'm amazed and impressed!
LOVE the rug! I hope to make a crochet rug someday using scraps from my stash.
oooooohhhh!!!!! AJ I LOVE it!! Maybe I can get my knitting needles out and do one of these!
omigosh...a rug? there seems to be no limit to the expressions of your creativity! Knit on, girl!!!!!
This is great - so do you literally just knit a large area with big needles and your strips are tied together? Appreciate any tips as I'd like to have a go! Thanks
Do you have a tut for this? I think I remember how to knit... any hints or advice?
This is just adorable!
are the strips less then an inch wide? how did you tie the strips together? how many stitches across????
the larger needles just to make it easier to knit, not so tight? I have to go find a pair of those!
I would love to make this rug for my DD
thank you , I would love any help/tips you can share with us
kathie
When do you sleep?
Happy Sewing :0)
Well done this is beautiful! I know how much fun making these can be! What coincidence in the blogesphere! I've a post on rugs today on my blog.
I'd love you to drop by a see http://anieke.blogspot.com/2012/02/earthly-delights-carpets-designed-for.html
That is an amazing rug!!! How in the world do you make one of them??
I love your rug. I have so many selvagesc and little scraps and would love to use them this way. Two questions: do you tie the strips or sew them, and how do you was the rug? thanks for sharing your great ideas!
Sorry! I am using a very old keyboard that sticks -- that was supposed to be "How do you wash the rug?"
Hi,
Please can someone help me?
I tried to buy a darning foot today in my local shop, but I wasn't sure if the guy was selling the right one.
Is a darning foot the one a bit round in the botton. I think he was trying to sell me a walking foot instead. I got so confused and I don't now what to buy.
Thank you very much for your help
Tania
Knitting it just gave me the most awesome idea for me to use! I have scraps that have been placed together randomly, just waiting to be crocheted (as I don't know how to knit...yet.) into a rug. Instead, I think I may try using my knifty knitter on them. Oh, the possibilities! Just what I need more projects...oh, wait, this is already a WIP, so it's not really adding to the projects bin, is it? Thanks for the great idea!
I LOVE this. Sometimes I get selvages that are skinny and this would be the perfect project for them.
Love your rug! Some questions: how wide are your fabric strips? Did you just join all the lengths with a knot, as I imagine they will just be "lost" in all the knitting and colour and texture?
I am not new to fabric scraps, but I am new to knitting. Please consider a tutorial. Also, how are you securing your scraps together - sewing or tying?? That rug is the best!!
Please tell us how to make this rug. Please, Pretty please with sugar on top :-)!
Love this! I keep peeking at the comments hoping you'll provide some insight as to how you made it... any thoughts of doing a tutorial?
Love the rug, too. I have the same request as many of the gals above me!
PLEASE TELL US HOW YOU MADE THE RUG OR HOW YOU TIED THE STRINGS TOGETHER, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would LOVE a tutorial for this! This is such a great project!
Just love it! Really nice!
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