Area rugs add visual interest, provide additional warmth and can dampen sound. Have old t-shirts that you want to repurpose or upcycle?  T-shirts can be used to create rugs. This is a T-shirt rug roundup.

Introduction

My current apartment has both carpet and tiles for flooring. Carpet is much less common than it used to be. Hard floors like wood, tile, laminate, vinyl, linoleum, etc have taken it’s place. Area rugs increase in price the larger and thicker they are. If you have lots of old t-shirts and time, you can create your own area rug. I’ve found tutorials for 6 methods of doing so.

1) Braid

Braiding is an easy way to make t-shirt rugs. Either cut your t-shirts into continuous strips or shorter rings that you will open, then join together. Secure the ends of three strips and start the braid. Either braid all your strips together then form your rug or shape your rug as you braid. Attaching the braid to itself every 2″ or (~5 cm) makes this a no- sew project. Hand sew your rug with a tapestry needle or machine sew it with a jeans needle.

2) Crochet

You can finger crochet a t-shirt rug  or use a large crochet hook (for example size Q). Cut the body section of your t-shirt into a long strip of t-shirt and stretch it to curl the cut ends inward. You’ve made t-shirt yarn. Roll your t-shirt yarn into a ball then crochet your rug.

3) Knit

Knitting is a popular method of turning yarns into fabric. Create your t-shirt yarn then finger-knit, use large knitting needles or use a knitting loom to knit your t-shirt rug.

4) Weave

Weaving is another popular method of turning yarns into fabric. You will need a frame loom a little larger than the rug you wish to weave. There are lots of online tutorials for making frame looms. Examples include:

The Weaving Loom: How To Make A Cardboard Loom

Simply Handmade Studios: How To Make A Weaving Loom

A Piece Of Rainbow: Weave A T-shirt Rug Diy Loom

Warp threads made from t-shirt yarn or other yarn  are connected to two parallel sides of the loom. Use t-shirt yarn for the weft threads. Leave enough slack in the weft threads to prevent your rectangular rug from drawing in at the sides and loosing it’s parallel lines. Twisting pairs of weft threads as your weave them alters the look of the final rug.

5) Latchhook

Latch hooking involves pulling short yarns up through a square gridded backing. The tool that’s used for this technique is called a “latch hook” and looks like a crochet needle with a small gate to hold the threads. Rug canvas is also needed if you’re making a rug. Cut your t-shirts into strips ~1″ by 4″ (2.54 cm by 10 cm) then latchhook onto your rug canvas.

6) Sew

Sewing ~1″ by 4″ (~ 2.54 cm by 10 cm) strips of t-shirt material onto a backing made from an old towel creates a rug that looks similar to latch hook rugs in much less time.

Conclusion

These six methods for turning t-shirts into rugs are no-sew or minimal sew. You will have to cut up your t-shirts with sewing shears or a rotary cutter. Additional equipment needs vary from none at all to buying hooks and needles to making or buying looms. Cotton t-shirts can be dyed to give your rug a more uniform color. Alternatively let the original t-shirt colors shine.

Have you made a t-shirt rug? Do you have suggestions for re-using old t-shirts? Subscribe so you don’t miss a post. Comment below and/or Pin Me for later.

Tanya

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