Hi! Years ago rag rugs were made from old clothing, stockings, etc. and rugs were used on beds to keep families warm and then went down to the floors and on walls to insulate their homes. I’ve crocheted rag rugs for a long time but I’ve always used new store-bought 100% cotton fabric. I even have several rag rug crochet patterns that I sell. But the prices for cotton fabric has gone sky-high here in Anchorage and I simply can’t afford to make rag rugs anymore. So I got to thinking that I should give recycled sheets another try and succeed this time! So I’m RECYCLING FOR EARTH DAY (tomorrow) and beyond!
I absolutely love going to thrift stores and looking for treasures! I’ve never told anyone this, but my Senior Prom dress was from a lovely second-hand store and it was gorgeous, definitely something I’d never be able to afford if I bought it new! So I’ve been having a blast looking for recycled bed sheets and I’ve found some nice colors and designs. There’s not a huge selection to choose from but it’s a start. I got a BIG SHOCK though at the cost! I had no idea they cost sooooo much! The lowest was $7.95 for a twin and then jumped to $12.95!! These are used, and some with holes! But then I remembered that some thrift stores have different colored tags–50 % off weeks. Last week it was yellow and this week is orange. And the Salvation Army sheets cost less but usually only have one or two, maybe.
Recycled Bed Sheets for my Rag Rugs
I started my new recycled rag rug in my usual spiral fashion with crochet hook size Q and it was terrible! The color joining was horribly uneven! I couldn’t figure out what I was doing so wrong? And I was so close to being done!
Spiral Rag Rug and Uneven Color Changes
I ripped it out and tried and tried again and again. Nothing worked! So I ripped it back to the second red circle and joined each round. But it still didn’t work, so I ripped it back to the center red circle and it still sucked! So…….I guess the lesson is, rip it ALL out and START OVER! I knew that!!
Rag Rug with "joined rounds" and even colors
And this is how my recycled rag rug FINALLY turned out! I can live with this one, OK 🙂
1. When working with such contrasting colors it’s better to join each round to minimize color changes. With similar colors you can use the easier spiral method just fine.
2. When it doubt, RIP IT OUT!
3. Trust your gut and do it right the FIRST time! I knew that! LOL!
4. Happy EARTH DAY 2012 and hooray for RECYCLING!
♥ Donna
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