Friday, February 24, 2012

finish it up Friday, week 16

Welcome to week 16 (!!!) of finish it up Friday! Can you believe we've been at this finishing business for that long already? Doesn't finishing feel SO good???
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:

CityHouseStudio said...

I love your rug! I would have never thought of knitting one - what a great idea!

Go-Go Kim said...

Oh I wish I would have kept my long skinny scraps...DANG IT!!!!! That is super cute!

randi--i have to say said...

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!

Jo said...

The rug is WONDERFUL!! My daughter made me a similar one and it's my favorite!

Betty said...

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!

Cheryl Arkison said...

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? ; )

tarabu said...

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!

Thimbleanna said...

That's a super cool rug Crazy Mom. I hope you're using it somewhere fun!

Rachel said...

LOVE, love, LOVE, love the rug!!! I want to make one (or two...LOL)...

Debbie said...

awesome rug!

Cathy Tomm said...

I love it the rug. I might have to try it.

Carla said...

Definitely love for your rug!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

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!

Jane said...

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

beth said...

Love. love. love. your rug

Bee said...

This is so cool! I would love to make one of these too! You are so inspirational:)

Nina said...

Beautiful! I've had a knitted rag rug in progress for so long I daren't even say...

Teri said...

I think I'll have to learn how to knit, this is a fantastic use of fabric scraps and/or used clothing.

Kathy said...

I love your rug! I've made a few rag rugs and they are so nice to keep or to give as gifts.

ohiomom said...

Love this! How do I go about making one? I love the idea of using up otherwise unusable scraps ;)

RobotMomSews said...

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!! :)

JG said...

What a great use of scraps! I don't think I've ever used knitting needles that large.
~Judy

Marian-Lady Face said...

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!

Kimberly said...

Oh my word!!! Thank you for the inspiration... I'll start saving scraps today!

Sarah Craig said...

Love your rug, Amanda Jean! I may have to give that a try myself....

liz said...

FABULOUS PROJECT! Can you tell us how you attach the strings to one another before knitting? Thanks!

Deb Robertson Writes said...

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.

Michelle said...

Gorgeous! Did you tie all the scraps together first and make a ball of "yarn"? And then knit? How on earth does this work?

Rusty said...

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

Kristen said...

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! :)

bethanndodd said...

I seriously love your rug! How adorable and so colorful...swoon.
Thanks for hosting!!! Smiles~Beth

Leslie said...

My first time linking up! Love the the rug!

Speattle said...

I hope you have time to post the rug up on Ravelry, with all the details of how you made it. It is marvelous!

Smultronbo said...

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.

Quilting Grannie said...

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

JuliePickles said...

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!

Anita D. said...

'Tis a lovely rug - even better when one can feel the texture, as this eyewitness can attest.
May you enjoy it for many years.

Unknown said...

amazing

Clair said...

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.

Kimberlee, The Spunky Diva said...

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

Katie said...

Oops, I commented on an older post. Sorry!

I love your rug!

Heather said...

That is SO cool! I love it!!!

Jennie @ Porch Swing Quilts said...

You amaze me. Now I need to start saving my selvedges and such. Well done!

Heather Cartwright said...

The rug is really cute. Hmmm...might need a rug.

Susanne said...

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 :)

Denise said...

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 : )

Sharyn Hutchinson said...

I love your rag rug and would love to know how you did it. Please tell.... Thanks.

Mama Pea said...

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.

Ella said...

The rug is really cool. Do you just knot the ends together?

Lindsay@fortheloveofcotton said...

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!

kapster said...

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

Princess Martha said...

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!!!

simply staci said...

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. (:

Suzanne said...

You are amazing for using every single bit of fabric you have. I'm amazed and impressed!

pasqueflower said...

LOVE the rug! I hope to make a crochet rug someday using scraps from my stash.

sewtakeahike said...

oooooohhhh!!!!! AJ I LOVE it!! Maybe I can get my knitting needles out and do one of these!

SarahZ said...

omigosh...a rug? there seems to be no limit to the expressions of your creativity! Knit on, girl!!!!!

Julia O'Connell said...

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

kelli said...

Do you have a tut for this? I think I remember how to knit... any hints or advice?

antique quilter said...

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

Kim said...

When do you sleep?

Happy Sewing :0)

Pauline said...

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

Unknown said...

That is an amazing rug!!! How in the world do you make one of them??

Anonymous said...

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!

Anonymous said...

Sorry! I am using a very old keyboard that sticks -- that was supposed to be "How do you wash the rug?"

Anonymous said...

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

Sarah said...

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!

Live a Colorful Life said...

I LOVE this. Sometimes I get selvages that are skinny and this would be the perfect project for them.

Linda said...

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?

Sharon L said...

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!!

Belinda said...

Please tell us how to make this rug. Please, Pretty please with sugar on top :-)!

Dawn said...

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?

sulu-design said...

Love the rug, too. I have the same request as many of the gals above me!

Anonymous said...

PLEASE TELL US HOW YOU MADE THE RUG OR HOW YOU TIED THE STRINGS TOGETHER, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JaideyBug said...

I would LOVE a tutorial for this! This is such a great project!

SewDownunder said...

Just love it! Really nice!