When I was growing up in Oklahoma, we lived in an old neighborhood that had a nice mix of families with young children and older couples. Only a couple of homes on our block had air conditioners, so the women usually spent part of their summer afternoons sitting and visiting each other on their porches. Many of them did some type of needlework while they talked.
Mrs. McCormick, who lived next door, was my favorite. She would bring out her basket filled with colorful fabric strips wound into balls, and proceed to knot those strips into rugs using a comical giant needle her husband fashioned out of an old toothbrush. Once she tried to teach me how to make the knots and gave me some strips to work on, but I was little and it was hard, so mostly we just chatted while I watched her work.
I thought of Mrs. McCormick and those rugs years later when my son was a little boy, and I wanted to make a big rug for his room. The library didn’t have any information about toothbrush rugs, so I decided to try crochet instead, which produces a rug with a similar look. I was really happy with it, and for awhile I went on a binge of rag rug-making.
A few days ago, I decided to make a new rug for the kitchen. This time I easily found instructions online for the toothbrush technique, so I made a needle just like Mrs. McCormick’s, and was excited to start knotting. The thing is, after tying several rows, I just didn’t like the process as well as my old crocheted rugs, and it looked sort of messy in comparison. I really wanted to use my big toothbrush needle, but after a few unsatisfactory attempts, I finally gave up and went back to my familiar crocheted rug.
With a rotary cutter, I cut my strips 1 1/2″ to 2″ wide, depending on the thickness of the fabric, and sewed the ends together on my machine. I didn’t use a pattern, but just occasionally added extra stitches to maintain the rug shape and make sure it stayed nice and flat. The rugs have a wonderful old-fashioned look; they are thick (about 1/2″), heavy, and require lots of fabric (the two outside green rows are an entire twin flat sheet). Anyway, it’s a great way to use up any old bed sheets or ugly yardage you might have lying around, since the prints are almost indistinguishable in the rug.
Crocheted Rag Rug
44″ x 51″
I love your reminiscing and your rug. I made a rug a little crocheted rug about two years ago for my kitchen. I love it.
That’s gorgeous – what a great way to honor her memory. How did you keep all that fabric from fraying??
Thanks Christine and Allie — The fabric will fray a little over time, but I don’t mind that. I noticed that using the rotary cutter instead of ripping the fabric (like I did in my earlier rugs) produced a neater look. Also, when the fabric is much brighter on the right side, I do make an effort to manipulate the strips a bit as I’m crocheting to make that side show, but I’m not a fanatic about it. That’s why ginghams and solids are so much easier to work with.
I enjoyed your story about your neighbor and I love your new rug. My grandmother used to braid fabric and sew together into rugs.
Wow, Martha! The rug looks great. I have never tried to make one, but it looks like it takes a lot of time.It really is beautiful though.
Your rug is beautiful, Martha. I’ve never crocheted a rug but my sister-in-law has and I really like them. When I think of rag rugs I generally think of the woven ones my mom and grandmother used in their kitchens and in front of doors. I remember ripping old clothes with my mom, rolling them into balls, and taking them to the weaver. It was because of those rag rugs that I first bought a loom and learned to weave. Thanks for sharing your memories and your beautiful rug.
Hi Martha- I love the rug and I also love the clean, uncluttered look of your kitchen! It’s very Zen! Thanks for sharing the picture.
That’s a beautiful rug! It looks really cheery. My grandma made a version of that type of rug using plastic bread bags. They were actually kind of pretty (thanks to Wonder Bread).
That really takes me back. I miss the summer evenings when everyone sat on their front porches. We don’t even have front porches anymore — everyone sits in the back on their decks! It’s nice to remember Mrs. McCormick and all of the other old ladies in our neighborhood (including Mrs. Sise and her dog Bonnie and her mince pies). I love the rag rug! It’s so beautiful and colorful and looks very cozy!
Your rug is gorgeous! We still have some from our great grandmother who made braided rugs (you can tell grandpa’s work clothes in the rug and some of his and her coats and clothing). Your rug turned out wonderfully! Loved your story…we did the same thing with our front porches, but tended to be there at night when it was too hot to sleep! Have a great day!
Mickie
Those look lovely! My sister was making some of those. I wonder if she ever took any photographs. Thanks for giving me a reason to call her!
Thank you for the story. I tried to do that as well many time but give up because I could not make it stay flat. You had such great success in everything you did. I greatly admire you. Visiting your blog always cheer me up!
I went through a spell of making these beauties in the mid ’80s. I learned from my friend’s grandmother. She was in her 90’s and lived in a nursing home. She used a hook she carved herself in her earlier years. She was a joy to visit!
I really want to make one of these! It looks wonderful.
could i have the pattern or did you just single or double crochet and add to increase. i have made one but it was a kit from a company and the pattern was not correct and i had to improvise but it came out beautiful. but if you have a pattern i would be willing to pay for it if i had to.
Love it….I’m making 3 right now….It’s so enjoyable to use up clothes and sheets that others would discard in the garbage…works up fast….they’re so beautiful…and useful!
With toothbrush rugs, you pre-fold the fabric similarly to bias tape although it is on the straight of the grain. My mother made them and they looked better than the crocheted rugs. In addition, they do not come apart if damaged unlike crocheted rugs. I have, so far, been unable to find directions for the way she made them. I hope i can remember how she did it. 🙂