Need a new bathmat? How about making one from your old t-shirts. I share with you all my recycled t-shirt bathmat rug. I crocheted this bathmat during a RAL (Rug A-Long) over at the Trash to Treasures group on Ravelry. If you are member of Ravelry, you should check out our group. It’s a fun bunch of people who love to create cool stuff using what some may call trash.
Anyway I crocheted this using about 3 different shirts and wanted a half circle rug to place in front of my shower. I had to rework my rug several times to get the shape right. Please keep in mind that you may have to add or subtract a stitch or two here and there to get your rug to lay down flat and to have the half circle shape. Remember that crafting with recycled materials is never an exact science so my patterns should be used as a guideline to help you create your own finished projects.
If you are new to crocheting or knitting with recycled t-shirts, you can learn the process by using my curled t-yarn tutorial. Enjoy this tarn rug project and happy recycled crafting to all!
Free Pattern for Crocheted T-Yarn Bathmat Rug
Materials needed:
3) t-shirts cut into 1/4 inch wide strip and stretched to curl into T-yarn
Hook:
N (9 mm) USA size aluminum crochet hook
Description:
Bathmat rug is 27″ tip to tip and 13-1/2″ wide at middle
Directions:
Row 1
Make magic circle and work 7 Dc in circle.
Row 2
Ch 2, turn. Work 2 Dc in ea st to last st, work 1 Dc in last st.
Row 3
Ch 2, turn. Work Dc in sm st as ch 2 base, then 2 Dc in ea st across.
Row 4
Ch 2, turn. Work Dc in next 3 sts, * 2 Dc in next st, Dc in next 4 sts*. Repeat between * to end.
Row 5
Ch 2, turn. Dc in sm st as ch 2 base, Dc in next 2 sts, *2 Dc in next st, Dc in net 3 sts*. Repeat between * to end. (Dc in any remaining sts and don’t worry if count is off. Add sts as needed so half circle and to help rug lay flat.)
Row 6
Repeat row 5.
Row 7 – 8
Change color if desired by attaching new color and Ch 2, turn. Dc in next 2 sts * 2 Dc in next st, then Dc in next 3 sts*. Repeat between * to end. Dc in any remaining sts to complete row.
Row 9
Change colors again if desired. Ch 2, turn. Dc in next 9 sts, * 2 Dc in next st, Dc in next 10 sts *. Repeat between * to end.
Row 10
Ch 2, turn. * Dc in next 14 sts, 2 Dc in next st *. Repeat between * to end.
Row 11
Change color again if desired. Ch 2, turn. *Dc in next 12 sts, then 2 Dc in next st *. Repeat between * to end.
Row 12 – 13
Ch 2, turn. *Dc in next 11 sts, then 2 Dc in next st *. Repeat between * to end.
Row 14
Ch 2, turn. *Dc in next 10 sts, then 2 Dc in next st *. Repeat between * to end.
Row 15 – 16
Change color again as desired. Ch 2, turn. *Dc in next 11 sts, then 2 Dc in next st *. Repeat between * to end.
Row 17 – 18
Change color again as desired. Ch 2, turn. *Dc in next 10 sts, then 2 Dc in next st *. Repeat between * to end.
Edging:
Sc down long edge evenly to finish off rug.
FO and weave ends under.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Dec – Decrease
Ea – Each
FO – Fasten Off
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Inc – Increase
RS – Right Side
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
Sm – Same
St – Stitch
T-yarn – T-shirt yarn
This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy of My Recycled Bags {dot com} and may only be used for private individual use. No commercial sales or use is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2010
****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.
I like the half mat. Have you ever tried making a tea cozy for a teapot? I was thinking that T-yarn might be better for this than regular yarn. What do you think?
.-= Moonshadow´s last blog ..The Princess Plays Basketball Feb. 06 =-.
Your rug turned out beautifully! I love the colors. I posted a link to some of your tarn projects in my blog post today 🙂
.-= Kristy´s last blog ..Its Easy Being Green Episode 13: Crafting with T-shirts =-.
Great T-yarn idea!
.-= Le-Chat´s last blog ..The BF’s Easy Chair =-.
This is so awesome! My hubs has TONS of old tshirts…hmm!
Oh I just love this!!! My hubby also has oodles of tshirts that I know would make a lovely bathmat!!
What a great pattern. I’ve seen t-shirt rugs crocheted in the past but they were always really simple and straightforward single crochet rectangles. This is a much more creative twist!
.-= Edgi´s last blog ..30 Ways to Recycle Your Cool Graphic Tees =-.
Hi Cindy,
What exactly is a “magic circle?” I have missed the post that explains that. Thanks – Trish
this is a great idea, definately on my … long list of things to do!
@Trish: It’s a way to start a project where you don’t want a hole in the middle or want it very small. Check out this video.
Thanks so much, Cindy-I watched the video and I get how to do it if my hands will just cooperate. Fingers are thinking for themselves. Really hard to do with plarn but I’m practicing!! Trish
i do like your bath mat and I’m all for recycling materials. I love some of your other stuff as well keep up the good work and sharing it with us
I love the shape! Unique! I’m going to link to this from Dollar Store Crafts in an upcoming post, too!
.-= Heather – Dollar Store Crafts´s last blog ..What Would You Do With? Sweater Follow Up =-.
Cindy,
Thats an awesome craft idea.
Gr8 goin.
Cool idea! I have a pile of my husband’s old white undershirt tees that have a project like this written ALL over it! I may dye them, tho, so I can have some color. AND we need a couple of new bath mats.
Regarding magic circle video and complexity, I suggest the old reliable chain 4, sl st to beginning of chain to create a circle to work the dc into. The magic circle looks cool, but difficult, and more so for a lefty, so I’m sticking easy chain linked circle. Thanks for the uploaded rug recipe.
@Carrie — I usually do a modified version of the magic circle. I just wrap my yarn around my finger twice and then just crochet into the ring and use the tail end to tighten up the circle once I’ve gotten the stitches I need inside it. I do like the way it tightens up snug and use it in several of my projects. I agree it’s just a personal preference what each person wants to use when then start a project such as this. Thanks for the comment and for visiting my blog.
Thanks for the input Cindy, I’m attempting your half moon bath rug not sure if I copied the recipe down wrong, but my version. is looking more like a cookie with a bite missing. I’d upload a pic of it but not sure if possible. It seems like the moon really wants to be full and as I’m increasing the circle is wanting to close, does that make sense? Ya know what, I should probably read the other posts before I bug the teacher. If I’m the first to have ‘the growing ends’ issue, I’d love some suggestions for a fix and avoiding a total redo. By the way, I love this website and I signed up with Ravelry. Looks like a fun place. I posted a pic of a rag rug I improvised just for fun. http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Carrmag
Have a great week,
Carrie
I posted a picture of the work in progress and the hook (which I think is the problem with growth) that I’m using. I’m sorry, I’m not really following the pattern as far as the hook size and the fabric/yarn I’m using, so I’m betting this is why the gauge is so off. If you have any suggestions that would be great!
http://ravel.me/Carrmag/tstbr
Carrie
I’m having a difficult time getting a straight edge with my half circle bath mat. Any suggestions? Help! Diana
@Diana – You can dampen your mat and stretch the edges. Use your hands to pull and press down on the mat edge. I have to do this after washing mine and at times when finished with a project. You could add stitches too but it is a trial and error at times to get it straight. Best wishes and hope it works out for your mat.