How to Make a Fluffy Rug from Yarn and Fabric Scraps
Small balls of knitting yarn and leftover fabric can become a colourful, fluffy decorative rug. Sort through your stash and, in one evening, make a piece for a bedroom or hallway. It resembles a terry towel, but is denser and brightly coloured. This is a decorative project, not a safety-rated floor covering: use a non-slip underlay on smooth floors and place it where loose loops will not create a trip hazard.
What you need
- Sturdy fabric for the base. You can piece it together from old jeans if needed.
- Yarn in any weight and colour; choose yarn that is comfortable to handle.
- A 30 cm ruler.
- A sewing machine.
How to make a fluffy rug
Cut the base to the desired length and width. You can add batting or stabiliser if you wish. When using scissors or a rotary cutter, work on a protected cutting surface and keep your fingers clear of the blade.
Wind the yarn in one direction around the ruler, making firm, even coils.
Slide the loops carefully off the ruler and lay them flat on the table so they stay in order.
Repeat with the remaining yarn.
Starting at one edge, stitch each yarn bundle down the centre, smoothing it evenly as you sew. Keep your fingers clear of the needle and secure each strip firmly before moving to the next one.
Continue until the whole base is covered. You can leave the looped texture as it is, or cut the loops for a fluffy finish.
Lay the rug flat, then cut the loops with scissors, working away from your fingers. Fluff the yarn gently and check that no strands are loose.
Your rug is ready to decorate the room. For smooth flooring or a busy walkway, use a suitable non-slip underlay or choose a low-traffic location.
Unexpected! I've seen different ways to make grass-style rugs, but this is an almost no-waste idea. I should try it and see how it turns out; I have a bag full of yarn, though I knit only rarely now. For thicker yarn bundles, I think you can wind the yarn in two layers from the start.