Spring Crocheted Rag Rugs for the Gnomes (or Coasters)

The directions for the Flower Fairies pictured below can be found HERE.

I hate to waste anything when I’m crafting. You never know, right? So, I have bits and pieces of this and that in jars, in baskets, tucked in cubbies, and hanging from the ceiling. It is amazing how many times I hit these “should throw away” stashes!

Well, the other day I made my April (Easter) Rip and Tear Napkins.

This is what was left over.

On the next sunny day (5 days of rain in the forecast), we will go outside and drape the pieces of string in tree and bush branches, and throw them hither and yon in our green belt. Birds and field mice will use them to help make their spring nests comfy-cozy. (You’re welcome little friends!)

But, I have a special plan for the fabric scraps that were ripped away from the napkins. I will be making a couple new Spring Crocheted Rag Rugs for the gnome house. (They can also be used as lovely spring coasters!) I made a basic circle. I’ve included the directions below. If you would like to “see” the basics on how to crochet a circle, check out our Bean Bag and Coaster Directions.

Spring Crocheted Rag Rug for the Gnomes (or Coasters)

Materials:
scrap fabric strips (ripped to about 3/8″) 

Note: To have one continuous strip of fabric to crochet with, simply overlap the end of one piece with the start of a new piece. Sew them together. You do not need to be neat… it’s a rag rug 🙂

Directions:

1] Chain 6.

2] Slip stitch through 1st chain to form a ring.

3] First Round: Chain stitch 3. This is called your “turning chain” and will be counted as your 1st stitch. Next, crocheting through the hole in the center of the ring, double crochet 9 times. Slip stitch in the top (the third chain) of the turning chain. You will now have 10 stitches (including the turning chain).

4] Second Round: Chain stitch 3. Double crochet into the base of your “turning chain”. You will be increasing 10 stitches this round. In the remaining 9 stitches from the first round, double crochet twice in each stitch. Slip stitch in the top chain of the turning chain. You will now have 20 stitches.

5] Third Round: Chain stitch 3. Double crochet into the base of your “turning chain”. You will be increasing 10 stitches this round. In the next stitch double crochet once, in the next stitch double crochet twice. Continue this pattern double crocheting twice every other stitch. Slip stitch in the top chain of the turning chain. You will now have 30 stitches.

6] Fourth Round: Double crochet into the base of your “turning chain”. You will be increasing 10 stitches this round. In the next two stitches double crochet once, in the third stitch double crochet twice. Continue the pattern double crocheting twice every third stitch. Slip stitch in the top chain of the turning chain. You will now have 40 stitches. Slip stitch in the top chain of the turning chain and pull the strip through.
 
7] Using a yarn needle, weave the beginning and ending fabric tails into the rug. Clip close to the rug.

If you would like to continue making the rug slightly larger, you can add 1 or 2 more rows, continuing in the pattern established above, increasing 10 stitches each round.