My new bathroom needs a new bath rug. I really loved the look of this rug: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/how-to/how-to-recycled-bath-mat-080526 But I didn't think it would work for me. It's made from strips of cut towels that would otherwise be destined for the rag bag. I love the idea, but I know too much about cutting up old towels and how bad they fray and leave lint balls for days and years to come. I also wondered if tying a single knot would hold through all the walking and washing that goes on at my house.
I decided the project would be better out of recycled sweatshirts which fray very little. By using a simple slip knot it will last longer too. This new method required different size strips. Here's my version which cost me $3.29:
Materials:
Old sweatshirts or sweatpants, or new sweatshirt fleece. (I think polar fleece scraps would work well too.)
A piece of latch rug fabric. I bought a 30×36 piece from Hobby Lobby normally $5.49, but I had a 40% off coupon making it $3.29. All other items I had in my stash.
1/2 in wide double fold bias tape–enough to go around your rug
A rotary cutter and mat with ruler
A nut pick
Instructions:
1. Cut the mat to desired size. You can make it round, heart shaped, flower shaped. You choose.
2. Bind the edging with bias tape. I like to use a triple zig-zag stitch for this to make sure I catch both sides well.
If you have square corners, mitre the corner as you work your way around.
3. Use your rotary cutting set to cut fleece strips 1/2 in wide. Cut each strip into 5 inch lengths.
4. Fold one strip in half and use the nut pick to poke it through a hole. (The tool I'm using here is similar but from our Knifty Nitter Kit.) Bring it up on the other side.
Then slip the raw ends through the loop and pull tight.
Work a complete row before moving onto the next one. You will only need to tie strips on the verticle lines and can leave the horizontal lines free. The next pictures shows where to place the next strip on the first row.
I started the second row early to show you where the strips will fit together. Put the next strip where the nut pick is pointing.
Here's what the back looks like so far. You can see 2 partial rows
.
One row finished! The next row will go on the blue line.
Use your imagination to make your rug uniquely you. You can use a sharpee to mark a design like polka dots or stripes to guide your fabric placement.
Answers to common questions: A latch hook is too flimsy for this project and a crochet hook when small enough to fit through the holes is too small to be usefull. A knitting needle would work to help guide the fabric through the grid though. Yes it is machine washable and dryable as long as the fabrics you chose are also.
Other fabrics to try: denim, corduroy, twill, t-shirt knit (may want wider strips), felted wool sweaters, and polyester double knit.
Places to use your rug: At the kitchen sink, bathtub, bathroom sink, by your bed, in front of the fireplace or make a huge one for an area rug.
Make it fun: Invite friends over for a rug bee. Watch a movie while you work. Invite a child to work with you. My 10 year old daugheter could do it easily, but tired more quickly than I did.
