How to Troubleshoot a Homemade Crochet Rag Rug That Curls Up

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Things You'll Need

  • Long rag or fabric strips joined together

  • Crochet hook or toothbrush

  • Pattern

A rug can be crocheted from fabric or thick yarn.

A rag rug can be crocheted using long strips of fabric and a large crochet hook or a toothbrush. The rug can be crocheted in a variety of shapes. You can make a rectangle, a square, an oval or a circular rag rug. Advanced shapes such as hexagons and octagons are also possible. The key to having your rug lie flat is having even increases and having the outer edge crocheted loosely enough to lie flat. At the same time, too many increases can cause rippling and curling as well. The key to a beautiful rag rug is to find a balance and create exactly the correct number of increases.

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Step 1

Remove crocheted stitches until your rug lies flat. Curling can be caused by too many stitches or not enough stitches around corners or curves. Check your pattern if you are using one to be sure you are following directions. If you are following directions and you still have curling, you will need to crochet by "feel."

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Step 2

Replace a row of stitches at a time. Place your rug on a flat surface to make sure that your stitches lie flat. If the rug curls around the edges, it means you do not have enough stitches on your most recent row. If the rug ripples around the edges, it means you have too many stitches.

Step 3

Check the number of stitches you have increased on the most recent rows. If you have curling, remove a row or two and add more stitches at each increase. If you have rippling, remove stitches until the rug is once again flat and add fewer stitches at each increase.

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Step 4

Make a note of your stitch patterns throughout the rug so that you will be able to duplicate your success.

Step 5

When you have ascertained the increase pattern that will lie flat, continue crocheting until the rug is the desired size. Tie off fabric and weave ends in.

Tip

Rugmaker's Homestead suggests that you check that sample rugs pictured on a pattern lie flat. If they do not lie flat, do not purchase the pattern. Use a crochet hook in an appropriate size for the fabric.

Warning

Diana Blake Gray suggests that rug patterns based on bias cut strips be avoided. She also encourages you to cut strips between 3/4-inch and 1-inch wide.

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