I get bored.
I admit it.
The thing about boredom is that it allows me to get creative.
To start coming up with crafts.
Magnets, Light Fixtures, Paintings, Neat Picture Displays, Rugs...
You get the idea.
My promise to you though, is that every time my boredom turns into being crafty, I'll share.
I might even sell my creations. If you're willing to buy them.
.....
Upcycling: The t-shirt rug
Now let's weave!
.....
Upcycling: The t-shirt rug
I've been doing a lot of decorating lately.
I love moving for this exact reason.
A new room has so many possibilities.
New walls, new windows, new floors... everything is like a blank canvas to me.
Let me start from the ground up.
Literally.
My new house has all hardwood and tile floors. While this is wonderful and a breeze to clean up... My feet have been missing the feel of something soft beneath them.
Also, I recently met a very friendly man at the Thursday Farmers Market who sells Moroccan rugs.
He had so many stories and was truly a pleasure to talk to.
He also gave me a book that he wrote about travelling in Morocco and how they make they're rugs. From the treatment of the wool to the actual weaving process and the people who do it all.
I found it very inspirational...
and so I have opted to weaving myself a rug.
I currently can't afford rent... much less a trip to Morocco, so I opted to upcyle some old t-shirts.
Donated to me by some lovely friends and my mom.
I think the result is fantastic.
A bunch of old t-shirts that would have been thrown out
are now a super soft rug for my super comfy chair.
I couldn't believe how simple this rug was to make.
Here's what you do:
- Gather supplies.
You will need:
A hula hoop
I borrowed mine from a friend, we are also starting to learn hoop dancing
...pretty awesome...
anyway, you can also buy them just about anywhere for less than $5
a pair of scissors
and a bunch of old t-shirts
(I used about 14 shirts total
mine were mostly on the smaller side though, so you might be able to use less)
That's all.
(really!)
Grab the biggest stretchiest shirt in the color you've chosen and cut it into eight 2 inch strips.
I know my picture only shows six... please disregard that fact =)
You are going to cut straight across leaving the sides together.
This will form 8 fabric loops.
Stretch your loops over your hula hoop.
You'll end up with your hoop looking like this:
16 evenly spaced spokes.
In order to achieve proper under over weaving you have to have an odd number of spokes.
In order to do this
squeeze two of the spokes together and then space the others accordingly.
These two spokes made into one will be your starting point.
Using the same method of cutting as shown above
cut strips/loops of the first color you will be weaving with.
Connect each loop by putting loop one through loop two and then the opposite end of loop one through itself and pull tight.
Here is the closest thing I can find on how to do it
pretend the wood is loop 2 =)
Using this same knotting method tie your first color onto the spoke you doubled up.
Start weaving under, over, under, over, under each spoke.
Continue this for about four inches across.
At about four inches, you should separate each side of your loops to make double the spokes.
On your doubled up spoke you'll leave one of them together and separate the other to keep the odd number of spokes.
You can see this in the upper right hand corner of the photograph above.
Continue cutting, knotting and weaving until you reach about 3 inches away from the hula hoop.
I could have done a few more layers, but I wanted mine a bit smaller.
Once you have finished weaving.
Cut your last loop and tie it to the spoke.
To finish off your rug cut the edge of each spoke and tie in a secure knot.
Sorry about my severe whiteness washing out this photo...
You can choose to leave the loose ends out
as I did
or you can tuck them in to your finished rug for a cleaner look.
Here is my finished rug.
Enjoy!
