Thanks for doing the research! People used to know how to make all of their own things, and make them well. When knowledge is passed from mother to daughter and based on necessity, all it takes is one generation for that knowledge to disappear. Thank you for bringing this once common technique back to light! This is very valuable!
rachel pye Wow! What a nice thing to wake up and read your note. I appreciate you sharing your wonderful thoughts. I am trying to research another sort of rug/technique that appears to be fading from today's common life activities. I do think there is a new push with a group of people in search of the simplicity that is ever fleeting from modern life. Hopefully I will be able to figure out this new (new to me) rug and master it enough to be able to share it with others. You have a wonderful day and thank you for viewing!!
Thanks for your tutorials, Erin. I just finished my first braid-in rag rug - thanks to your videos! I enjoyed it a lot and already have stock piled some more old T-shirts to start on another one soon. When I finished mine off, I wove in one strand at a time, then braided a bit more, then wove in the next strand... and so on until they were all buried into the rug. I didn't get a noticeable lump and the edge turned out very smooth. Thank you for sharing your skill and knowledge.
Thanks for posting this series. I live on a busy farm and I've been wanting to make some of those good 'ol rugs that I remember from my Grandma's house. Less waste and better rugs than we can buy.
My pleasure. You probably should view my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug tutorial. It shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves.
Just finished my braid in rag rug . Videos just wonderful and make its easy understand and follow it. Thank you for all videos!!! Will follow another videos and keep learning...
+Oxana Smith Awesome, Oxana. I am pleased to hear that my videos helped you complete your own braid-in rag rug. I appreciate your kind words and look forward to hearing how you come along with another rag rug project. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. :-)
You did a great job in showing how to do this type of rug. Thank you so much. I learn visually, so seeing how it's done is easier for me to learn. Thanks again for these videos.
I want to thank you for posting this series. It made it so easy for me to understand. I have wanted to do this for such a long time - my Grandma use to makes these. I can't say thank you enough! Good Job!
+Barbvara McCullough Wonderful. Thank you for letting me know. I hope you enjoy making a few braid-in rugs. Perhaps enter my rag rug drawing give away. The last video I made tells how to enter. Have a great week.
Very clearly presented. I always wondered how this was done, watched all 4 videos and feel confident I can do this now. Thanks for sharing. PS I use the sewing machine foot as a third hand to hold the braid when I start. 🤓
You might want to watch my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug tutorial it shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves.
This is a great video, But I am trying to do one myself and keep getting a curve into it and can't figure out how to go around the ends without getting a curve
Are you using t-shirts or some sort of materials that gives? You need to go into the same hole several times as you are going around the corner the first time or 2 and then maybe just twice in the same hole in the corners. After that you may just have to go twice in the same hole every few stitches as you go around the corner. if you go to part 4 of the braid-in video it starts showing this around 1:45 into the video. Here is the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-K1vegPTTdmU.html I hope that helps!!
Here I was looking and searching for how to sew my corking into a flat rug after decades of working on it, then I found these videos and I wanna do this instead! What an excellent craft teacher you are Erin, and the camera man is very good too!
You are a really good teacher, I watched all 4 parts plus this 1 and understood the very 1st time, each time. You teach 1 part and make sure we got it first, rather than do a huge, long video which is too much at once. Can not wait for more projects. I will be asking everyone for their junk t-shirts, sheets, etc., ha, ha, ha !!! Thanks So Much
Be careful it can be addicting. Lol Please view my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug tutorial. It shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves.
I wanted to thank you also! I'm making a braid-in rug per your tutorials and having so much fun. Your instructions are clear, your delivery is natural and friendly,and your tips are terrific ( great tips make all the difference, you know.) Nora in Delaware
Thanks, Nora. I certainly appreciate all the kind words. I am pleased you are enjoying your braid-in rug making. Please update me on your progress if time permits. :-)
I have to say thank you as a child I used to sit with myself grandma to do this . I couldn’t remember how. Fifty years later I still have several of her rugs. God bless
My son and I just watched all the videos for this rug. He is actually excited to be learning how to do it. I may even try to teach a class for this 'lost art' in our home school co-op. Thank you!
+JavaMama95 Great. May I suggest you watch the 5 strand braid-in rag rugs series too. It gives more details on the braid-in technique and how to keep it flat. Enjoy yourselves.
Hi Erin! Your videos are great and very helpful - thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I've been wanting to make a rag rug for a long time and look forward to starting my first project thanks to your instructions. Your 4-part tutorial is very informative and almost like being there. Thank You
Thank you. I hope you have fun with creating your rag rug. You might want to watch my 5 strand rectangle rag rug. It gives more details about adding stitches as you go around the corners and good close ups.
Wonderful tutorial!! Thank you so much for sharing! I started a braid rug BUT sewed the braids together by hand- i was actually on RU-vid to figure out how to fix mine because it has become uneven and wavey/clumping with extra material in the middle...but now I know how to eliminate the problem for my next one....NO SEWING NEEDED! Thanks again!
Wonderful. I am glad you feel confident to make your own Braid-in rag rug. You might want to watch my 5 Strand Rectangle Braid-in Rag Rug. It shows more details and close ups about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves.
My pleasure. I hope you have fun making your braid-in rag rug. I have a new video on making t-shirt yarn. Here is the link if you are interested. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-s-OkzIOURX0.html
My Grandmother used to make these braided rugs with feed sacks. You mentioned you like all the colors available with sheets but they lack the give you want for the braided rug. They used to cut the woven fabrics on the bias so you have plenty of give. The strips were wider so that they could be ironed to keep the raw edge inside of a fold as you would see the bias strips at a fabric store.
Erin, thank you for this series. I have searched for how to make this type of rag rug for a long time and now can try my hand at this! My grandmother had a friend who did this type of rug. One time when visiting (in the late 70s), the friend gifted my mother with one of these (done in the infamous polyester fabrics of the 70's). It was so beautiful and wore so well. While there, she showed my mother different shapes she had made, including a heart-shaped one. I wish I was with her on that visit to see how the shaped ones might have been done. But your videos give me hope! Thanks for all your hard work.
Thank you for your lovely note. You may want to watch my 5 strand rectangle briad-in rag rug. It shows more close ups and details as you add extra stitches as you go around the curves.
God Bless you!! My grandma made these & I still have 1 she made me when I was 18 but it needs some repairs & I haven't been able to find anything on how they were made & then I found you!! OMG you have no idea how much I appreciate this because now I can make my own in her honor. I was incredibly close with my grandma & miss her terribly. Thank you & I'm going to check out your channel & sub!!
Thank you for such an informative group of videos - I was born in the wrong century and always wanted to learn how to braid rugs. Thanks to you I just finished my first, and now that I have the hang o it I'm starting my second one. Thanks again!
I've watched all of the braid in rugs videos. You have me so very excited to start making one!! You made it easy for me to understand & you have a soothing voice. I will be watching more & learning a new skill from you. Thank you for making these videos.
Great. I am glad your excited about making your own rag rug. If you haven't watched my tutorial 5 strand Rectangle Braid in Rag Rug it shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves. Also my tutorials are organized on my website www.ragrugsbyerin.com better than RU-vid allows. No account needed. Just click on the blue link in the playlist description and view as many times as you like for free. My playlist Rag Rug Information and Help Videos has over 40 videos allow. Enjoy creating. ☀️🙂
Thank you for showing me how to make a rug. Remember my mom making them all the time. But took no interest in them but do remember helping her braid a bit.
I’m in my late 50’s now and I can remember when I was around 5 year’s old and being sat down and shown how to do this method by the elder’s ~ but we used a handmade wooden clip to hold the three strips at beginning to braid and removed it when braiding around that edge ~ we also never sewed the forth strip in ~ we just slipped it in as you did and then continued on!! This brings back a lot of old memories!!
That is lovely to read your share. I can see how just slipping the extra strand or strands in would work now I know more. I will try that with the next one I have planned. 🙋🌞
Thank you for your teaching, simple straightforward and fun! Can’t wait to get started ❤️ Live the simplicity of your video without all the bells and whistles You have a great voice! Keep up the good work, God bless
Thank you for being so informative in your videos. Started watching, couldn't stop, made me late for work. It was worth it. Going to show them to my mother, she loves learning new crafts. At 79, she is amazing.
Great. Mau I suggest watching my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug tutorial. It shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves 😉.
I have a ton of fabric strips that were my husband's grandmother when she made braided rugs. His grandfather made a stand to hold the end of it for her to braid it . I cant wait to try the method you have shown
I hope enjoy creating. I suggest you watch my 5 strand Rectangle braid-in rag rug tutorial. It shows more details and close ups on adding extra stitches as you go around the curves.
Make sure you add enough extra stitches as you go around the curves. My 5 Strand Rectangle Braid-in Rag Rug shows more details and close ups about adding extra stitches going around the curves.
Aww, you are sweet. I hope you enjoy creating your own rag rugs. I have over over 130 videos. They are organized on my website www.ragrugsbyerin.com better than RU-vid allows. No account needed. They are all still free. Just click on the link in the Playlist description and view as many times as you like for free.
Absolutely. You might want to watch my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug. It shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves.
Erin, you are a fabulous teacher! Thank you so much for taking the time to teach us all how to do this lost art. I just love it. I also thank your camera man for the great close ups to help understand more of how you do things. I'm a visual learner so this is a great help. God Bless you both.
Thank you, Patricia. I have over 90 video that are about rag rug making. You might want to check out a couple more or my Facebook page, Rag Rugs by Erin. There are lots of rug related things posted there.
Thank you for making this video. After starting my "prototype" and getting things a little too tight, I got onto it. I started over, leaving the stitches a bit looser. I worked 2 stitches into 1, several times on the first few turns 'round the bend, and things began to look good. I'm used to using woven material, so I had to get a feel for the tee shirt knit. Looking forward to making an army of rugs!
Great. I suggest you watch my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug tutorial. It shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves. That might help the process. 🌞🙋😉
So glad I came across your videos on braid-in rag rug, my grandmother made these, but I have been unable to find out how she did them. She passed when I was very young and my mom didn't know.
Thanks for this video. I wanted to share this idea of finishing the edge by keeping two strands of the same color to make a grey row all the way around.
I would suggest that when you finish one needle's length of weaving in, you do the next length in a different direction. You went in a straight line, but by turning a corner (so to speak), you lessen the chances of the material pulling out. I love this rug, by-the-way. Well done!
Awesome! Thank You! I have been gathering up t-shirts to do JUST this craft & was wondering how I was going to finish it. I had started one with strips of wool - it wasn't working out so good. I guess I had better stay with t-shirts.
Great! I am so pleased one of my videos could help you. When I am making my videos I try to talk about all the things that cause me problems and help others avoid them or at least make it easier. Thanks for posting!!!
I know this is an old video. But just wanted to thank you. I remembered how to make the braided rug from childhood. But could not remember exactly how to end it. It is what I assumed. But it is nice to see it in instruction. TY
Erin Halvorsen it's not as pretty as your 5 braid inspiration, but I'm gonna make one for my sister in law, for her baby shower, in her colors. Also, thank you for always repeating 'under, over, under, over'. It got stuck in my head and _really_ helped 😊😊😊
Thank you so very much Erin, forthese videos and for the awesome details showing and explaining so I can really understand the how to do, I'm going to start cutting my strips tonight and start one and have everything ready to work on while at my cabin this summer, again THANK YOU so much, and HELLO from Slanesville,WV. USA
Wonderful. Please be sure to view my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug. It shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves.
Hi Erin! I just found your channel and am so excited to start a rug. I purchased a rag rug at a fundraiser auction for a pet rescue I support. However I havent found that quality in stores...so I thought I could learn to make my own! And you are really helping me to understand. I think Ill start with a crochet style..but this one looks fun as well. Anyway, thank you for all your wonderful videos!
Great. I too became interested in rag rugs after coming across a couple that were being sold by a coworker for their grandmother. That was the beginning of all this however I found very few videos that explained much if anything about the process. I am an educator and decide to help others learn what I struggled to learn through trial and error. The braid-in is more difficult to master (I feel). If you decide to make one do watch my 5 strand braid-in rectangle rag rug. It shows many more close ups and details. Check out my website www.ragrugsbyerin.com Enjoy!!
+Debra Tarpley Great. My pleasure! When watching my videos it is best to watch them on the computer. I often add things in writing on my videos and they can only be seen on the computer. I sometimes like to clarify something or correct something to make the viewers as successful as possible. Have a wonderful week.
Been watching your braid in 4 strand videos but haven't yet found how to increase top and bottom of oval so as not to curl. Your videos have given me the boost to take my 4 strand, curling up on ends, knit material rug from the attic and try again Thanks, am enjoying watching your videos
It talks about it but very briefly. I suggest you watch my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug tutorial. It shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves. I hope that helps.
@@RagRugsbyErin thank you for reply. That video did help. Did have to take out one row because too cupped but now on the right track. I like your saying "it's a rag rug". Thanks
Sure. Go to my website www.ragrugsbyerin.com . My videos are organized there in playlists. Go to the playlist on sheet yarn and you will find several videos that will show you. These videos are all still free there. You don't have to create an account or place the playlist in your cart. Just click on the blue link in the playlists description and view as many times as you want for free.
I’m 58 an when I was a little girl my auntie made rag rugs an id watch her for hours making them Thank u soso much for bringing this back I’m going to try it in her memory
Great video.. off to cut t shirts now. Thanks for doing this! I had as I had tried this a few years ago from written instructions with no luck. I am a visual learner and this helped enormously.
+Kate Vonkorff Wonderful. That does my heart good to know I helped someone figure out how to make this rug. The written instructions were very hard for me to understand as well. I had seen a rug close up, so that helped me because I am very visual as well. Update me on your progess if time permits. Have a wonderful weekend!!
+Erin Halvorsen I have made two "toothbrush" rugs, and working on a mat from grocery bags that is the 4 strand braid. Learned both from you tube. I am addicted! Also want to try your crochet method this winter. Thanks again for your great explanations on all of your videos!
I have wanted to make a rug for years, remembering my grandmothers wool rug. collecting many different colors from friends and family. That will make it more personable. I may even turn it in at the county fair since it is a lost mart. Will let you know. Thank you
Hi, Erin! I'm so excited to find your tutorial &get started. Thank you SO much! When my parents died, I found a beautiful braided rug "start" that my invalid grandma had begun. She had a strange tool attached to her project: a long, beige, triangular kind of pick made of thick plastic. Not sure what it's for, &I've never seen it in a craft/sewing shop. I have longed to continue her project. I do have a question: With a household full of boys, I have a lot of outgrown &worn denim. Do you think denim would work as a braided rug material? You are a wonderful teacher! Thanks Again for your awesome videos. Tami S.
I am glad you found my videos. My channel has over 70 videos on rag rug making. Perhaps the tool you found is for making toothbrush rag rugs. I do not think I would start with a braid-in rug made from denim. Perhaps with practice you can do that later. I have 2 videos on making a rag rug using denim you may want to view. I had my husband make a special wooden hook with denim in mind. I love denim but without the correct tools it can be exhausting to work with. Here are the links for both the videos that talk about denim. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F6t-koK7Rxs.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ejJcFNKKkaI.html Hope that helps! Have a wonderful week.
Thank you, Erin! And thanks also to your helpful cameraman! I was thinking sheets fabric might be stretchy enough if you cut the strips on the bias. Have you tried that? Cheers from your new fan, Marcella
I have not tried that but many people comment on that. You may want to try watching my 5 Strand Braid-in Rectangle Rag Rug it shows more details and close ups as you add extra stitches as you go around the curves. Hope that helps. Thank you for the note and kind words.
Great. You may want to watch my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug! It shows more close ups and details about adding enough extra stitches as you go around the curves 😉.
Thank you so much for the easy to follow tutorial videos! I have wanted to make a rag rug for years, and you've inspired confidence in me that I can do it! You make it look so easy, and I can't wait to get started! Any advice on washing them, though? If they are small enough, do you think would they be okay to machine wash?
Great. Yes you can wash them in the washing machine just don't over due. May I suggest a video that I published in May. It shows how to braid with 5 strands and I think the instruction I give is more thorough. Even though it is not the exact same rug I think you would find it quite helpful. This is the link to part 1. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lf7zPqSed18.html Hope you have fun with your project!! Erin
THANK YOU, ERIN!! I've been wanting to make a rag rug for a long time and look forward to starting my first project thanks to your instructions. Your 4-part tutorial is very informative and *almost* like being there. Your efforts to research and revive the technique are greatly appreciated. Two thumbs up -- way up. Couple of questions (1) Is there another video that covers cleaning or washing the rag rug? (2) Have you ever made such a rug with woolen scraps?
+D. Murray Thank you!!! I have not made a rug with woolen scraps. On my channel, I do have a video on washing a rag rug. It is called "Learn How to Make a Rag Rug Last for Years". It is in a Playlist called Rag Rug Information and Help Videos. There are 16 videos in the list to help with all sorts of situations that might help you with rag rug making. Thanks for viewing and good luck on your project!
+Erin Halvorsen Great, I will check it out. For my first one or two area rugs I will definitely use T-shirts for their low cost. I love the look of braided rugs -- we had large braided rugs when I was growing up and they last forever. It's very exciting to find your well-done tutorials.
Connection as many strands you like and Google braiding 8 strands. Then proceed as shown with all 4 parts of the series. www.ragrugsbyerin.com My tutorials are organized on my website better than RU-vid allows. All still free. No account needed. Just click on the link in the Playlist description and view as many times as you like for free. I suggest you want my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug. It shows more close ups and details about adding extra stitches as you go around the curves.
Erin..... outstanding video !! Thank you so much for the excellent tutorial as well as all the time you must have spend researching this technique!! So much of our history hand handicraft arts have been lost to our modern ways. Can you make a rag rug in a rectangular pattern ?? I'm interested in making this about 40 inches long and 25 to 30 inches wide. Is that possible using your braiding/weaving technique?? Thank you again for the terrific video and your time. Best wishes.... Ax
+Axerxes I am working on product development on 2 different rugs right now and 1 one of them is a rectangle 5 strand braid-in rug. So hopefully I will have both of the rugs finished and out in video in the next 2 months. I appreciate your comments and hope you will wait for that new braid-in rag rug. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 🌞
This series was great, and has inspired me to give Braided Rag Rugs a try. How well does the no--sew at the end hold up to machine washing? Thanks for sharing!
f Absolutely beautiful and you were very easy to follow. Would stretchy type sheets work for this? I know they're heavier than T-shirts so probably can't be mixed with T-shirts. This is a hobby I want to do. Thank you so much.
Yes. They would work and might even work with t-shirts. Watch my 5 strand rectangle braid-in rag rug tutorial. It shows more close ups and details when adding extra stitches as you go around the curves 😉.
+Jo Gabatan great. If you like this technique I suggest you view the 5 strand braid-in runner rag rug. It has more details and will help you with either. I have over 80 videos on rag rugs. One of my playlists is Rag Rug Information and Help Videos it is a good resource for someone new to rag rug making. Enjoy yourself.
How do I stop my rug from bowling up?.No matter if I pull the strips tight or leave them loose it rolls up into a bowl shape. What do you think I’m doing wrong? I’m using strips of tee shirts
+Douglas Adams You need to make sure you are not pulling the strips more like placing them. Also you need to make sure you are adding enough extra stitches as you are going around the corners. You could send me a few pictures so I can see. Ragrugsbyerin@gmail.com
Hi Erin! Your videos are great and very helpful - thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I have just finished my braid-in rag rug using t shirts and it looks great, except that it cups up in the middle in two spots: at the two ends of the initial rows in the middle. Is there anything I can do to fix this? Thanks in advance!
+Caitlin Bancroft Caitlin, Thank you. I do not think there is anything you can do to fix it at this point. It was probably pulled a little too tight in the beginning or needed to have more stitches as you go around the corners. Hopefully you can live with it or try to pull it a bit when you are flatting it to lay on the floor. Your next rug will probably lay nicer. Enjoy the rest of your week.
This was great to watch and learn. Have you ever considered using strips of wool. I have loads of it and wonder if it would have the same give at the t-shirt material? Thanks so much
I have not used wool. If you add enough extra stitches as you go around the curves it will work. If you watch my 5 strand braid-in rectangle it shows more close ups and details about adding the extra stitches. Hope that helps.
Maybe if you would tack the strands to a board to keep them straight it might be easier to weave through. Or maybe set a cement block on top to hold them
