The Braided Rug

RATED: 2 for difficulty

I have been torn with putting this particular post up as frankly there are dozens of Youtube videos on braided rug making and the principles are the same, and my husband looked at the colors I had chosen and said it looked like vomit. (Haha eww!)  But in the end I think its cute and will compliment my daughter's child-sized sweetheart bedroom.

Making a braided rug is very simple and is usually made from scraps you have around the house (I've seen everything from blue jeans to towels used)  All you need are scissors, a needle and thread and fabric.  I chose a simple cotton that I used to make my daughter's dollhouse patchwork quilt.

Start by cutting your fabric into thin strips - mine were between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch.  If you cut it wider than that the braid will simply be thicker, if you use a heavier fabric again the braid will be thicker, attempt to make them relatively uniform as it will make the braid look even and nice.  If you are using a shorter width, you can make a longer strip by "going around the bend" (see the picture to the right.

You will need at least three lengths of the fabric, and realize that the fabric will shrink during braiding and you will most likely want at least 36 inches of braid per rug.  Once you have completed your three lengths of fabric secure them together with a needle and thread, a few quick stitches should be all that's needed.

Now set to braiding - if you have a little girl odds are you've braided, if not its simple, pull apart the three strands, outer right side goes over the middle and becomes the middle, outer left side goes over the middle and becomes the middle.  Outer right, outer left, over and over again, always going over or always going under (they give different looks don't mix them.)  The braiding I found went relatively quick, but if you find you need to take a break during it a simple straight pin will hold it nicely.

If you want to check for the size of the rug simply wind it up. Mine is an oval and started with an inch or so length folded in two and then wound around, you can try other designs as well, squares or circles look nice too.  If you discover it isn't quite as long as you'd like simply fold in extra fabric (See the photo on the right.) If you are having trouble folding it simply add an extra stitch or two to hold it while you braid,

Once you have finished braiding simply pin the end (clothes pins work too, but with a doll rug its a little bulky.) And wind it up, stitching every third or forth knot.  This is by far the longest part of the process, but its straight forward and simple.

Once finished simply tuck the end under the side of the rug and sew it on with a few extra stitches. Voila! You have a doll rug. :)