Calico Crochet Rug & Pattern.....

 It is always a wonderful feeling to finish something so big...

I really love the soft octagon edges this rug has.

and also that it looks so natural and well...handmade :)

 so here is the pattern, it is rather long....

maybe as I make more patterns in the future they will become more streamline...lol!

Calico Crochet Rug

By Gillian Hamilton

Calico was my fabric of choice for this rug.  This pattern is designed for woven cotton fabric, not stretch fabric... but of course you could make it out of any woven fabric, old sheets, and old tablecloths even old garments.

The pattern below forms a ‘soft edged octagon’ shaped rag rug.

Rug can be made smaller if desired, and can be used for bath mats, placemats, and even little coasters.  Just work until rug is the size you require it to be.

You can find instructions for making the calico yarn here.

12.00mm hook used.
Rug is worked in spiral, using stitch marker as guide for round ends.

US terms used throughout pattern... sc (US terms) = dc (UK/Aust terms)

Always make sure that joining ends are worked over as you crochet not sewn in afterwards. Ends need to be at least 15cm (6”) long so that they when worked into rug they stay securely in place.  I did not trim ends but fully worked them into the rug.

I used 12mm hook for this rug, I found a larger hook made the fabric too loose and risks the ends coming out when complete. Strips of fabric were approx 4cm (1 ½”) wide. Of course if your fabric yarn is narrower, than your hook would need to be smaller.

I made 4 large balls of fabric yarn using the following pieces of fabric.

First piece was 3400mm x 2300mm rolled into a ball weighed 1263gms = 239.97mtrs
Second piece was 3500mm x 2300mm rolled into a ball weighed 1239gms = 235.41mtrs

Third piece was 4000mm x 2300mm rolled into a ball that weighed 1290gms = 245.10mtrs

Fourth piece was 3000mm x 1800mm rolled into a ball that weighed 767gms = 145.80mtrs

Total Weight of Calico 4559gms
Total length of Calico Yarn 866.28mtrs

First ball worked the first 20 rounds - approx 67cm in diameter.
Second ball worked 21st - 29.5th rounds - approx 95cm in diameter.
Third ball worked 29.5th - 36.5th rounds - approx 117cm in diameter.
Forth ball worked 36.5 -39th round - approx 130cm in diameter.

You may find that your rug is a bit bumpy as you work it, mine was too.  When complete I used a hot iron with steam on the reverse side of the rug and this made the rug flat as you can see in the photos.

 

Let’s begin.

ch4, join with ss

ch1, 8sc into ring, do not  join at end of each round from now on work as spiral; use a stitch marker to mark start of round.

2sc into each sc = 16sc

*1sc in next sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 24sc

*1sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 32sc

*1sc in next 3 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 40sc

*1sc in next 4 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 48sc

*1sc in next 5 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 56sc

*1sc in next 6 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 64sc

*1sc in next 7 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 72sc

1sc in each sc = 72sc

1sc in each sc = 72sc

*1sc in next 8 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 80sc

*1sc in next 9 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 88sc

1sc in each sc = 88sc

1sc in each sc = 88sc

*1sc in next 10 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 96sc

*1sc in next 11 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 104sc

1sc in each sc = 104sc

1sc in each sc = 104sc

*1sc in next 12 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 112sc

*1sc in next 13 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 120sc

*1sc in next 14 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 128sc

*1sc in next 15 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 136sc

*1sc in next 16 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 144sc

*1sc in next 17 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 152sc

*1sc in next 18 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 160sc

*1sc in next 19 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 168sc

*1sc in next 20 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 176sc

*1sc in next 21 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 184sc

*1sc in next 22 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 192sc

*1sc in next 23 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 200sc

1sc in each sc = 200sc

*1sc in next 24sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 208sc

1sc in each sc = 208sc

*1sc in next 25 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 216sc

1sc in each sc = 216sc

*1sc in next 26 sc, 2sc into next sc* repeat from *to* = 224sc

1sc in each sc = 224sc

1sc in each sc = 224sc

Finish off and weave in the end.

Iron on the reverse side with a hot steamy iron.  (If you are unsure about ironing your fabric, test your iron on a scrap of your fabric yarn, I used 100% cotton for my rug so I put the iron on a cotton setting) 

This pattern is shared in good faith, here on my blog and I will also be adding it to the pattern to Ravelry.   Please include a link to this pattern if you post a rug you have made using this pattern online, and link to it if you are a Ravelry member.  If you make this rug please let me know, I’d love to see what you have created.  Please feel free to share a link to your rug in the comments below, as others may also like to see. 

If there are any mistakes in the pattern, please don’t be too hard on me this is my first pattern and I think craft is about sharing, learning and growing. 

Happy Crochet

~ Gillian ♥

how I make fabric yarn.....

I have just finished my calico crochet rug and before I post it on my blog and add the pattern I thought I would make a little post on how I make fabric yarn....I know there are lots of different ways to make it but this is the way I have found works best for me :)

Tear fabric into strips about 4cm (1 1/2") wide, once you have torn a few strips it becomes easy to judge how wide to tear...I usually cut a little nick in the end of the fabric to start the tear off.
Of course this works best with woven fabric, the fabric used in this project was 100% cotton Calico.

Place the ends of two strips together as in first photo and fold them over approx 15cm (6") making 4 layers of fabric.

Cut a slit through all 4 layers of fabric on the fold, cut only needs to be about 1cm as when opened up it doubles in length
as you can see in the photo below.

to make things easier to discribe, we will call one end A and the other B.
Thread end A through the slit on B - as above.
Now thread B through A. - as below.

You now have both ends threaded through the slot in the other piece.

pull ends firmly, so that pieces become intertwined. 

move both tails over to one side, making it easier to work over the tails when crocheting.
Now wind into a ball.
I find it is better to have a few balls for a project instead of a huge ball.
I would recommend one ball be made up from about a bed sheet sized piece of fabric, so if you are ripping up two sheets make two balls and so on.

I hope this all makes sense to those who are interested in making a rag rug...I look forward to showing you all my calico crochet rug hopefully tomorrow if I have the pattern finished by then...

have a happy day,  

~ Gillian ♥

wool eater blanket CAL week 5

well it is MY week 5 anyway ;)

I'm a little behind the schedule...

but that is the beauty of this CAL

you are able to work at your own pace....

and start and finish whenever you feel like it.

So another 3 rounds of pattern complete and 

my wool eater is starting to get some size to it now.
(you can click on the image if you'd like to see it a little larger)

The three colours I added this week are

Gunmetal Grey, Medium Marl Grey, Curry.

It now measures 101cm square and weighs 793gms.

it is not to late to join in

details can be found here on Sarah's blog.

there is also a Ravelry group here for this CAL

Have a creative week everyone!

~ Gillian ♥

Rip Currents....

Please be informed about

Rip Currents

I found this great youtube by Surf Life Saving & UNSW.

Our 16yr old son had a frightening experience yesterday

with a Rip at our local beach, Fortunately he is safe but needed to be rescued and we were so thankful to the body boarder who helped him out. Tragedy was avoided and lessons were learnt.

Learning how to read the water and spot rip currents when swimming

on Australian Beaches is such an important life skill,  The beaches are

so beautiful and the last thing you want to do is avoid them.

But knowing how to spot a rip is one lesson we all should learn.

~ Gillian ♥ 

waiting for school to finish for the day....

This is a little something else I'm working on at the moment.

We took a day trip recently to Sydney

just for fun, went to some exhibits

ate some yummy food

looked at some cool shops

took in some views.

But its about a 4hour one way drive.

Yes I did say we took a day trip!

we drove down to Sydney in the morning

and came home the same day....

So that means a few hours of solid crochet in the car! :D

So I started this lovely pattern by May Cheang

it is called Dorothy's Tail Neckerchief

and it is sooooo much fun to crochet!

I love those little spikes :)

anyway, each afternoon...

 I pick my children up from school in my car, one I pick up from primary school and the other two from high school there is 10 minute wait between picking one up and the other two so I carry this project in a bag in my car and work a row or two while I wait, its easy enough to chat with my youngest and crochet while we wait for my sons to finish high school for the day.
I’m not in a rush to finish it as it is still summer here in Australia, and it is proving to be an excellent pattern to work this way.

You can find the pattern on Ravelry Here
or in May Cheang's Etsy Store Here

there is a small cost for the pattern, but it is very well written and easy to follow and well worth the small price.

Have a happy day

~ Gillian ♥

wool eater blanket CAL week 4

For week 3 of the Wool Eater Blanket CAL
(February 1st - 8th)
we were to add another 3 rounds of pattern...

I added medium marl grey, maroon (I actually think it is more of a dark plum but the name on the receipt for this colour was maroon) & Laguna (once again this was the name on the receipt but it is a medium teal/turquoise blue).
It now measures approx 87cm square and weighs approx 566gms.

it is not to late to join in
details can be found here on Sarah's blog.

there is also a Ravelry group here for this CAL

I hope you are having a nice week
~ Gillian ♥

wool eater blanket CAL week 3

For week 3 of the Wool Eater Blanket CAL
(January 25 - February 1)
we were to add another 3 rounds of pattern...

I added duck egg blue, olive green & light marl grey.
It now measures approx 69cm square and weighs approx 376gms.

it is not to late to join in
details can be found here on Sarah's blog.

there is also a Ravelry group here for this CAL

I hope you are having a creative week
~ Gillian ♥