Thank You, As a 10 year old I learned how to make rag rugs with the end of the tooth brush, but never learned how to start one. I used to start with a braid then start going around. I can't wait to try your method of starting. Looks so much better.

My mom passed away in April of this year. I had 5 boxes of here clothing that I just wasn't ready to part with, I took all her clothing and cut them into strips and started making a rug out of them for on my wall...I also made several small ones (big enough to put on a coffe table or end table even a mantal) for some family members who wished to have my mom around for a while.
I was taught how to make rugs just a few short weeks before my mom passed. My only problem was beginning it and with your viedo I was able to learn how to begin one with no problem. THANK YOU!

My toothbrush tool was made from the handle of a dollar store spatula. The handle was cut off with a hack saw and whittled to a v shaped point. Hope this helps some one wanting to get started...

I have a question. In the top photo above, with the sage green around the edges of a blues and purples rug, it looks like there is only one strip of material instead of two. Was I supposed to stop adding material to the right-hand piece at some point?

Thanks so much!

I have TONS of polyester strips from work - we use bolts of fabric - cutting the ends off first... which means, I have fabric strips around a cardboard tube-end - from 2"-6" wide.

I will use some to make my own rag rugs, but have more than I need. If you're interested in them - just email me. I will meet you North of Atlanta or can mail them to you.

As long as I have this job, I'll have more than I need of the fabric strips. Not a lot of colors, mostly black, white, blue, red... but that may change.

georgiaboonies at yahoo is my email.

These would also work great on a loom... need to set mine up!

this is very nice however I wonder if I could save these instruction on my flash drive so I could follow it from home...thanks a bunch

Hello! I just tried making my first rug yesterday, and I have a few questions. Everything started out great. As I went on though, it started rippling. What causes that or is that normal? Also as my rug got larger, the stitches got more loose and the holes were bigger. Do I need to incorporate more than one stitch in the holes as the rug gets larger? Maybe I am just thinking to much and need to practice more. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

My son and I decided to do this as a winter project for schooling. Your videos are perfect for instructing. BUT I have a problem. The material I am using is old sheets and pillow cases, to practice on. BUT there are little anoying strings everywhere and its uglying up the project. We are using fiskars rollar to cut the material nice and even. Is it the material that we use?? I see that there are others that have used sheets. All the pics we looked at dont look as bad as ours. Thanks for help.

Hello,

Thank you for your videos. I just came across them tonight on you tube. I have never made a toothbrush rag rug before, but I hope to soon. Thanks again for your directions. In the post previous to mine, the poster asks about increases and decreases. Would one want to increase or decrease in order to give a shape to their rug other than oval or circular? I am wondering actually, is it possible to make a rectangular toothbrush rag rug? Thank you for your response!

Isn't this basically the same as single crochet? I am just fascinated and these rugs turn out really lovely! I cannot wait to do one. But I think since I got a little confused in starting it mostly only the center part that..I might get a large crochet hook and go in circles...really fascinating! I posted this on my facebook and a got a bunch more wanting to try this, I made a hotplate tonight out of tshirt remnants very cool and alot of fun!

One dumb question. Do you need to continue adding core strips or is that just to lay the beginning foundation?

Thanks so much for posting this. I've enjoyed watching and learned so much!

Amazing! I did several searches and never found your directions before today. Not just that, you were hidden away on the 5th page of my Google search. This should be number ONE that comes up. These are the clearest, most useful directions I have seen. I am using wool and instead of a toothbrush, I am using the handle of a scrub brush. I will let you know how it turns out. I am off to perfect my starting knots. Brilliant! You should publish this.

Thanks so much for this tutorial!! I've always wanted to make one of these and was totally lost lol. Your instructions make it easy and fun.

Laura Jane,

I am glad I found your videos and I am glad I did not order the dvd from auntie p. and waste my money. But have you ever thought to teach people how to set up a blog such as this? I still don't know how to do that. Just a thought.

thank u so much. i hav been lookin everywhere for somethin like this and now i found it. !!!!! thnx u bitches

Do have directions for making a rectangular rag rug? The directions you gave are quite clear. Thank you.

Hi
I made one of these from your instructions. Too easy! The only problem is mine won't sit flat. Obviously some tight bits in there. Any suggestions?
My (brilliant) idea was to dampen the rug then lay it on a couple of towels and then upturn a heavy table on top. Leave it for a day or two, I thought, and it might flatten out. Unfortunately I forgot about it and went away for 2 weeks. Came back to a lovely round stain on my ne carpet that a $120 cleaning bill wouldn't remove and a mat that still refuses to lay flat :(
As for the tool I simply cut a piece of wire coat hanger about 6" long then bent it in half making a loop at the top. Works a charm and is cheap as!
Cheers

I've been experimenting a little first trying to get the hang of this but one of the problems I'm having is lots of fraying strings to deal with. I realize I might need to look for a fabric that doesn't fray when cut, but some of the posts refer to "sewing" so I'm wondering if I'm supposed to actually sew the rough edges of all the strips first. YIKES!
Thanks for this lovely video and all the tips. (I checked out Aunt Philly and I agree - not very helpful)

Could I suggest two things? One brighter, brighter brighter light! And use contrast materials so we can see the knots better? I had alot of problems turning it, after you did your first four half knots, then I got really lost!

These Tutorials are fantastic, I'm making my first rug at the moment and its going pretty well! keep up the good work!
mine is with scraps of fabric in all textures and colours and patterns so its going to be pretty colourful when its finished!

super simple, thank you so much!

I was looking for something easy...your instructions were right on the money...I have to see not just read and yours fit the bill. Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you. I am going to start my rug today....