How to Make a Loop Rug
For centuries, rugs have been the pride and joy of many households. Even the poorest family would make their own rugs out of scraps of materials in many different ways. Making a loop rug or anchored loop rug is relatively easy to do, and a wonderful way to spend some quiet time with family and friends.
This fine example of rug making can be made with scraps of fabric, leftover yarn, old sheets or curtains or anything you happen to have leftover from projects.
Things You Will Need
- Lacing needle or yarn needle
- Rug hook or crochet hook
- Cotton rug backing
- Fabric strips, cut 1 inch wide
- Heavy duty cotton or wool yarn
- Scissors or fabric cutter
Tip
Experiment with designs and patterns using material or yarn.
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Decide on your fabric. One nice thing about loop rugs is that they can be made from just about anything. Blue jeans, cotton fabric scraps, bed sheets--you name it and there's sure to be a rug out there made from it. If this is your first time making this rug, it has been suggested you use larger pieces of material such as old bed sheets/blankets or curtains. Cut the fabric into 1-inch wide strips. You can use either a scissors or a fabric cutter. By using the larger pieces of fabric, you will eliminate having to tie or sew the scraps together. If you decide to use yarn, you will need to run two strands of a heavy worsted yarn to pull the loops.
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Sit in a comfortable chair and place the cotton rug backing on your lap. Fold the edge of the backing over to the back. Fold the fabric strip in half and with the right side facing up towards you, place it underneath the backing. You will be using the crochet hook or rug hook to pull the loops through the backing.
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Thread the needle with the yarn. Pull it through from the bottom of the folded piece of canvas and knot it to hold the end. The needle should be on one edge of the canvas, the fabric should be underneath. It is recommended that you start at least three rows from the edge to allow for a finishing section for the rug. The finishing section will go around the entire piece.
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Gently pull the material through the grid on the rug backing using the crochet or rug hook. Insert hook into first hole and pull up a loop of the fabric strip just big enough to easily push the hook tool through. Continue to insert the hook and pull up loops until you have five loops on your hook. Carefully remove your hook.
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Pull the needle with the yarn through the loops. This will lock the loops in place and increase its durability. Continue pulling the loops through the backing adding fabric or yarn as needed until your rug is complete. To finish the rug, it is recommended to "needlepoint" the edges using either yarn or fabric strips. You can do this by simply bringing the material or yarn up through the grid, then down again in either a diagonal or straight across stitch.
The Drip Cap
- For centuries, rugs have been the pride and joy of many households.
- Making a loop rug or anchored loop rug is relatively easy to do, and a wonderful way to spend some quiet time with family and friends.
- One nice thing about loop rugs is that they can be made from just about anything.
- If you decide to use yarn, you will need to run two strands of a heavy worsted yarn to pull the loops.
- Thread the needle with the yarn.
- Carefully remove your hook.
Writer Bio
Based in Wisconsin, Danita Fausek’s 30-year working career includes jobs in administration, construction, remodeling, teaching quality processes and art classes, and event planning. With a degree in photography, she ran her own business for more than 15 years. In addition, Fausek has immersed herself in various hobbies including gardening, needlecraft and jewelry making. She brings all of this expertise to her writing.
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