DIY Network

Baby Bonanza: Book, Mobile and Rug Take a walk on the soft side with these baby-safe gifts. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-253

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Ragged Floor Rug

Allison Whitlock gives babies a bright and soft rug to crawl on with her crochet techniques and cotton fabric. This contemporary crochet project offers a new take on an old-school idea, thanks to its contemporary color scheme. It's a perfect project for insomniac expectant mums or crafty friends in need of a quick baby shower gift.

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Ragged Floor Rug

Materials:

several yards of different colors cotton quilting fabric (solids work best)
white all-purpose sewing thread
crochet hook, US size Q

Fabric note: Allison used 4 yards each of chocolate brown and fuchsia, 3 yards of periwinkle and 2 yards each of pastel pink, cream and white. Try to pick a color scheme that will transition nicely from one color to the next.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Tear all of the fabric into 1-1/2" strips, sew the strips of each color into one long strip and roll them into balls (figure A).

2. Starting with the lightest color (white) and a size-Q crochet hook, ch 4, sl st to join the chain into a ring.

Round 1: Ch 2, sc 9 times into the center of the ring, sl st to close, ch 2 (figure B).
Round 2: 2 sc in each sc on the row below, sl st to join, ch 2 (figure C).
Round 3: Sc, *2 sc in next sc, sc. Rep from * to end, sl st to join, ch 2 (figure D).
Round 4: Sc 2, *2 sc in next sc, sc 2. Rep from * to end, sl st to join.
Rounds 5-10: Continue increasing at a decreasing rate as above, so that on each successive row you are adding another sc stitch between the increase stitches. Change colored fabrics as they run out, always moving from lightest to darkest. Always start a new color at the beginning of a new row for even stripes.
Round 11: Sc to end, sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 12: Sc 10, *2 sc in next sc, sc 10. Rep from * to end, sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 13: Sc to end, sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 14: Sc 11, *2 sc in next sc, sc 11. Rep from * to end, sl st to join, ch 2.
Rounds 15-26: Continue as with rows 11-14, increasing at a decreasing rate, but only on every other row.

Finishing

1. Fasten off and either weave in or trim any loose ends.

2. Iron flat with a steam iron.

Tip: If you find at any point that the rug is ruffling at the edges, try ironing it
flat. If you find that the ruffling persists, stop increasing for a few rows to flatten it, and then resume as with the pattern.

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GUESTS :

Jenny Ryan
E-mail: jenny@sewdarncute.com
Website: www.sewdarncute.com

Teresa Levy
E-mail: teresa@sewingstars.com
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