Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured Jute Rug
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I've got a fun and simple little pattern for you today.. it's a rustic and textured jute rug! It's perfect for your front door or could even be made into a cool runner for your kitchen.
Let me tell ya, I am in love with this rug. I think the jute offers such a natural and rustic look- just my kinda style. And while it looks really cool, let me warn you.. it is ROUGH to work with. It rubs on your hands and can wear out your wrists way more than normal yarn. All that said though, I can say today it is worth it because of the end result. I just made sure to listen to my body when my wrists were hurting and took multiple breaks. I also included other ways to make working with jute easier in the notes below.
And the texture of this rug?! It's the best. I love me some good texture... I use a stitch I called a "mini puff stitch", which is basically half a puff stitch. This stitch also adds some good weight to the rug so it's not to flimsy.
What you'll need:
-1575 feet (525 yards) of jute string that's 2mm wide, the exact jute I used is found at Hobby Lobby (link here -- this does not include yardage for the fringe. Add another 50 yards if you're wanting to add fringe. I used FOUR of these jute balls, barely dipping into the fourth one)
-size k hook (6.5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge
-yarn needle
-scissors
-optional: some sort of rug backing. I haven't backed mine yet, but I would like to so it doesn't slide around. You could use some of this latex rubber backing that you brush on the back or you could use a rubber pad like this one.
Gauge:
10 stitches of (mps, sc) by 8 rows equals a four inch square
Measurements:
unblocked rug (excluding fringe) measures 21 by 32 inches
Abbreviations:
ch('s)=chain(s), yo=yarn over, sc=single crochet, mps=mini puff stitch (see notes for description), st(s)=stitch(es)
Notes:
-in this pattern I use a stitch I call a "mini puff stitch" (or "mps" in the pattern). It's called mini because you are inserting your hook into the designated stitch half as many times as a normal puff stitch. Below is how to work the mini puff stitch :
mps: yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and draw loop back through, yo, insert hook into same st, yo and draw loop back through, (there should be five loops on your hook at this point) yo and draw through all loops on hook.
-chains at beginning of rows do not count as a stitch
-working with jute can be hard. It's very rough and can rub on your skin. It can also prove difficult to manage, wearing out your wrists. I took many breaks while working on this rug so I wouldn't over work my hands, and suggest you do the same! Here's a couple of other things that helped me out when working with jute: changing up the way you hold the jute to make it more comfortable... if possible it would be best to have a middle-pull skein/ball of jute to make it easier to work with... @oneofakate suggest putting tape on your hands where the jute rubs-- I thought that was a great idea, I actually tried wearing gloves but it didn't really work out... I just held the jute very loosely in my left hand... You could also use a hook with a rubber grip...
-you could easily make this rug into a runner by adding rows until the desired length is achieved. You could also customize the width by adding or taking away stitches in multiples of 2.
-you may want to block your rug to make it lay better. You could just spray with water and stretch around to your liking and lay on a flat surface to dry.
-like mentioned above, you could add any sort of rug backing to keep it from shifting around
Pattern
Row 1) ch 51, mps (see notes for how to do this stitch) in second stitch from hook, sc in the next st, [mps, sc] repeat [ ] across the row, ending with a sc (50 total sts - 25 mps + 25 sc)
Rows 2-72) ch 1, turn, [mps, sc] repeat [ ] across row, ending with a sc (50 total sts - 25 mps + 25 sc)
-at this point I decided to sc around the entire outside perimeter of the rug to make more of a neat edge. I just started down the left edge from where I left off in row 72 by chaining one and working sc's all the way around the rug, working 2 sc into the corners. Then once I made it back to that chain one I joined with a slip stitch.
Fasten off, weave in ends
Fringe:
For the fringe I decided to cut pieces of jute about 8 inches long...
To work the fringe I took two 8-inch pieces and folded them in half. Then I drew those pieces through the stitches on the short ends of the rug with my crochet hook, like shown in the photo above. Don't pull all the way through!
Then you will pull the ends through those loops you just partially pulled through (shown above). You're essentially just tying them onto the ends.
To finish the knot, just pull the ends tightly to secure. Continue doing this all along the short ends of your rug. You may need to snip the ends to even them out.
Once all the fringe is added your rug is complete! You may wish to block your rug so it will lay to your liking.
Hope you stuck it out with the jute to make this simple rug! I think the key, for me, was to take breaks to give my hands a break. It really did make a difference..
If you end up making your very own jute rug, feel free to tag me over on Instagram-- I'd love to admire it :)
Take care and happy hookin'!!
Meg
