Make your own rag rugs from t-shirts. This is a great way to recycle old t-shirts. These are durable long lasting rugs that can take high traffic and frequent washing, while still adding color and cheer to any room. Most rugs are pictured newly made, but the blue and yellow striped rug is shown after 6 years of hard duty in my kitchen!

This booklet includes 2 tutorials in one. First, step by step instructions and 21 color photographs lead you through my fast rotary cutter method to strip each t-shirt into one continuous strip of “yarn” with almost no waste.

The second half of the booklet includes patterns for 3 knit rugs and 2 crocheted. Exactly recreate the rugs pictured or use the instructions as a launching point for your own creativity!

The materials you’ll need for this tutorial are:

5-10 t-shirts per rug
Sewing machine (optional)
Matching thread
Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler (optional but recommended)
Scissors
size 15 circular knitting needles or size K crochet hook

Instructions are also included for stripping the t-shirts with scissors instead of rotary cutting equipment, but this method is slower and harder on the hands.

There are two easy beginner level patterns (one knit and one crochet) I would rate the remaining patterns as advanced beginner because they include working in the round and keeping track of regular increases.