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Knitting Fabric Rugs: 28 Colorful Designs for Crafters of Every Level
Knit your own fabric rugs! All you need are a cutting wheel and mat, a pair of size 10 knitting needles, fabric, and Karen Tiede's innovative technique for creating stunning designs quickly and easily. Tiede gives you directions for making 28 different rugs, with designs that use age-old motifs, including stripes and spirals; traditional quilt patterns, such as tessellations and log cabin designs; and freeform inventions. She shows how to create a wide range of color modulations, as well as different shapes, from rectangles to circles. The results are beautiful, one-of-a-kind floor coverings and wall hangings that are perfect for your space and taste.
- GenresCraftsKnittingNonfiction
184 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 11, 2015
Before this book, I had no idea you could knit strips of fabric into a rug - great for reusing old clothes! These knitted rugs have a unique charm that works in any type of home.
You'll learn everything about the preparation, where to source fabrics, which ones work best (and what to avoid), how to prepare the fabric and cut consistent strips, how to store them, how to estimate what you'll need and even which colors tend to bleed.
Then you get into the fun stuff: patterns and colors. You'll see how to adapt quilting patterns or design your own, use accent colors to avoid overly-matchy color schemes, sort colors into shades, create balls of your fabric strips and pick the shades you will use. (Yes, there's lots of prep work but the author swears you'll thank her if you spend enough time preparing.)
The final section is the actual making. For each design, the method is explained along with the reasoning behind certain decisions, allowing you to adapt it as you wish. Photographs of the completed rugs in position as well as in progress help you clearly visualize them, while the color-coded patterns make it all but idiot-proof.
The patterns vary in complexity, offering plenty of options such as interlocking shapes, floating squares, spirals, nautilus designs and triangles, tessellations, even picking up traditional designs (and assembly instructions) from the quilting world. All are patterns that play to the strengths of the style.
The photos and designs were very helpful in illustrating the concepts or offering examples, while the book itself is filled with good explanations, not just about what to do (or not to do) but packed with details to help you understand and be inspired.
I loved the explanations about colors, the pictures showing how different borders worked, and demonstrations of mathematical design theories (Rule of Thirds, Golden Mean and the Fibonacci sequence). If you like to plan your crafts in detail before starting, this is definitely a book for you.
Some of the assembly section didn't make sense to me, but I'm often a hands-on learner, better able to *do* than to *read*, and I have no doubt that if I had everything in front of me I'd be following along happily, knowing that it would work. (I'm also one of those "jump in first and regret not planning" people, so her encouragement of good design habits is definitely worthwhile.)
The author includes ergonomic considerations for tools and the knitting itself, useful if you've ever had hand or wrist problems, and points out other designs or books she's found inspirational, so if you like what you see here you know where else to look for more ideas.
A great resource.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
You'll learn everything about the preparation, where to source fabrics, which ones work best (and what to avoid), how to prepare the fabric and cut consistent strips, how to store them, how to estimate what you'll need and even which colors tend to bleed.
Then you get into the fun stuff: patterns and colors. You'll see how to adapt quilting patterns or design your own, use accent colors to avoid overly-matchy color schemes, sort colors into shades, create balls of your fabric strips and pick the shades you will use. (Yes, there's lots of prep work but the author swears you'll thank her if you spend enough time preparing.)
The final section is the actual making. For each design, the method is explained along with the reasoning behind certain decisions, allowing you to adapt it as you wish. Photographs of the completed rugs in position as well as in progress help you clearly visualize them, while the color-coded patterns make it all but idiot-proof.
The patterns vary in complexity, offering plenty of options such as interlocking shapes, floating squares, spirals, nautilus designs and triangles, tessellations, even picking up traditional designs (and assembly instructions) from the quilting world. All are patterns that play to the strengths of the style.
The photos and designs were very helpful in illustrating the concepts or offering examples, while the book itself is filled with good explanations, not just about what to do (or not to do) but packed with details to help you understand and be inspired.
I loved the explanations about colors, the pictures showing how different borders worked, and demonstrations of mathematical design theories (Rule of Thirds, Golden Mean and the Fibonacci sequence). If you like to plan your crafts in detail before starting, this is definitely a book for you.
Some of the assembly section didn't make sense to me, but I'm often a hands-on learner, better able to *do* than to *read*, and I have no doubt that if I had everything in front of me I'd be following along happily, knowing that it would work. (I'm also one of those "jump in first and regret not planning" people, so her encouragement of good design habits is definitely worthwhile.)
The author includes ergonomic considerations for tools and the knitting itself, useful if you've ever had hand or wrist problems, and points out other designs or books she's found inspirational, so if you like what you see here you know where else to look for more ideas.
A great resource.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2021
Really great book on textile design. I knit and crochet and the idea of knitting a rug with fabric strips sounds awful (for my hands mostly but also possibly breaking my needles) but I would gladly crochet these rugs, and the best part about this book is the designs lend themself to crochet very easily even for a novice. Worth buying alone for the detailed and well-photographed instructions on how to make the fabric yarn with as little waste as possible, sketching out/planning designs, and the use of color/color wheels/color schemes. Most of the book is about planning, prepping and the design process itself which is just an invaluable resource for anyone interested in textile art and design.
March 9, 2023
One of my crocheted rugs fell apart and I've always wanted to do a rag rug. When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I loved it! It was very informative and the chapters and information were broken down and arranged in scu a way a newbie could understand it. It explained what materials to look for, how the colors worked, how to cut the material, tools needed, tips, patterns, and how to make your own.
Received as an ARC fom NetGalley.
Received as an ARC fom NetGalley.
February 22, 2022
Fascinating process, and some remarkable designs. I don’t see myself employing this technique, as it requires so many small parts sewn together. Still, I also enjoyed the long confessional intro of the author’s craft failures, and her journey here. Brava.
June 23, 2018
love this idea for using up textiles. although
July 27, 2019
Really great instructions. Shows how to cut up old fabric. She also discusses what fabrics not to use and why (because they will rot). Just very useful.
November 19, 2019
Fab book. Have added this to my art shelf.
April 1, 2024
If I got into it, I think this would be a very good resource
April 19, 2015
I would like to thank Storey Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC via Netgalley.
Can I start by saying I would really love a copy of this book when it finally comes out and do hope to find myself a copy here in Australia as it’s such a fantastic book.
The original reason I wanted to read it was because I’m looking for creative ways to use up a lot of the rag clothing I have piling up in my house that I feel too guilty to bin and know it’s not good enough for a thrift shop. I was going to try rag rugs… until I saw this book. It has blown me away with the talent and creativity throughout. As I’ve been describing it to my family (as I rave about it to them) it’s not just a knitting book, not a mere craft book – this is an amazing look into a very talented artists world and how she’s found a wonderful way to turn rags into works of art… that also happen to be rugs or wall hangings!
I’m a novice knitter in a family of very crafty folks and have been wanting to get back into knitting for some time. But I’ve had no need as other members of my family keep churning out knitted or crocheted items for myself and my children I’ve had nothing to do. Thanks to this book, now I have. It not only teaches you how to knit a rag rug… but opens your eyes to the importance of colours and shading. It gives you some great in depth details about the right clothing to use, how to prepare it, how to store it and how to plan out your work to make it easier to create and finish.
From my notes as I read it, here is the more knitty gritty (;-) ) details of my review:
Some knitting knowledge required to understand some of the things she’s talking about. I’m a novice but from a family of knitters and so understood some of it… but not all. I almost felt like I needed to google to keep up and understand what she was saying when some of the patterns like intarsia where repeatedly mentioned. Though will add that the pattern instructions are easy for someone of my basic level to understand and follow, though I do admit there are some places I’d need a more experienced knitter to watch and ensure I was doing it right.
It might be one of those Nation language barriers, but I had a hard time with the fact ‘knit’ was used when ‘knitted’ was the correct term. But I do know American English and Australian English aren’t identical and so ‘knit’ is acceptable in the country of publication.
I didn’t particularly like the double column layout where I’d read down one side, end mid-sentence and then have to scroll back to the top to continue. Not a big thing and probably more an issue reading it on a computer than it would be in a real book.
The reasoning why the patterns and rugs are the way they are, the personal history of the author, the description of best theories put into practice, etc – very interesting. Helps give depth and meaning to the projects and helps you connect with the author and passion for creating such art yourself.
Found “The raw materials” especially “synthetics to avoid” sections very useful. I’m wanting to use up the mountain of old material and rag clothes in my house. The information provided here will save me a lot of time and errors.
I found the instructions on how to cut the material into yarn a little confusing. Not too sure if this is because I’m more of a visual person and if I saw someone actually do it and then read it, it would make more sense… or if it was just a little too complicated for my novice level.
All in all though I love this book, want to own this book and really do hope to find myself a copy in the future so I can sit down with my knitting family and friends and share the beauty, talent and inspiration this book is filled with. I can’t wait to try some of the designs and hope to one day be good enough to do a nautilus!
Can I start by saying I would really love a copy of this book when it finally comes out and do hope to find myself a copy here in Australia as it’s such a fantastic book.
The original reason I wanted to read it was because I’m looking for creative ways to use up a lot of the rag clothing I have piling up in my house that I feel too guilty to bin and know it’s not good enough for a thrift shop. I was going to try rag rugs… until I saw this book. It has blown me away with the talent and creativity throughout. As I’ve been describing it to my family (as I rave about it to them) it’s not just a knitting book, not a mere craft book – this is an amazing look into a very talented artists world and how she’s found a wonderful way to turn rags into works of art… that also happen to be rugs or wall hangings!
I’m a novice knitter in a family of very crafty folks and have been wanting to get back into knitting for some time. But I’ve had no need as other members of my family keep churning out knitted or crocheted items for myself and my children I’ve had nothing to do. Thanks to this book, now I have. It not only teaches you how to knit a rag rug… but opens your eyes to the importance of colours and shading. It gives you some great in depth details about the right clothing to use, how to prepare it, how to store it and how to plan out your work to make it easier to create and finish.
From my notes as I read it, here is the more knitty gritty (;-) ) details of my review:
Some knitting knowledge required to understand some of the things she’s talking about. I’m a novice but from a family of knitters and so understood some of it… but not all. I almost felt like I needed to google to keep up and understand what she was saying when some of the patterns like intarsia where repeatedly mentioned. Though will add that the pattern instructions are easy for someone of my basic level to understand and follow, though I do admit there are some places I’d need a more experienced knitter to watch and ensure I was doing it right.
It might be one of those Nation language barriers, but I had a hard time with the fact ‘knit’ was used when ‘knitted’ was the correct term. But I do know American English and Australian English aren’t identical and so ‘knit’ is acceptable in the country of publication.
I didn’t particularly like the double column layout where I’d read down one side, end mid-sentence and then have to scroll back to the top to continue. Not a big thing and probably more an issue reading it on a computer than it would be in a real book.
The reasoning why the patterns and rugs are the way they are, the personal history of the author, the description of best theories put into practice, etc – very interesting. Helps give depth and meaning to the projects and helps you connect with the author and passion for creating such art yourself.
Found “The raw materials” especially “synthetics to avoid” sections very useful. I’m wanting to use up the mountain of old material and rag clothes in my house. The information provided here will save me a lot of time and errors.
I found the instructions on how to cut the material into yarn a little confusing. Not too sure if this is because I’m more of a visual person and if I saw someone actually do it and then read it, it would make more sense… or if it was just a little too complicated for my novice level.
All in all though I love this book, want to own this book and really do hope to find myself a copy in the future so I can sit down with my knitting family and friends and share the beauty, talent and inspiration this book is filled with. I can’t wait to try some of the designs and hope to one day be good enough to do a nautilus!
May 3, 2015
I read this book for NetGalley.
I have been knitting for almost fifty years and have read many knitting books, magazines, articles, etc. in my long knitting career. It is rare to find such a unique, useful and creative form of knitting so well presented. Ms. Tiede's contribution to the knitting universe is quite original which is difficult to do in such an mature and well developed craft. She truly brings a concept to a useful reality.
The photography is lovely - excellent craft photography makes a big difference in a knitting book. The background information is clearly and accessibly written, with many tips and pointers along the way. Instructions are clear and well written. No confusion and very straightforward.
I found the fact that Ms. Tiede uses the craft of quilting as a guide and inspiration, but in the case of an item composed of pieces, quilting knowledge would be very useful.
I really wish I could do some of this knitting, but I have space limitations so I have to stick with small items. Still, this book inspired me to do some different things and see knitting is different ways. I learned a lot from this book! Thanks, Ms. Tiede!
I have been knitting for almost fifty years and have read many knitting books, magazines, articles, etc. in my long knitting career. It is rare to find such a unique, useful and creative form of knitting so well presented. Ms. Tiede's contribution to the knitting universe is quite original which is difficult to do in such an mature and well developed craft. She truly brings a concept to a useful reality.
The photography is lovely - excellent craft photography makes a big difference in a knitting book. The background information is clearly and accessibly written, with many tips and pointers along the way. Instructions are clear and well written. No confusion and very straightforward.
I found the fact that Ms. Tiede uses the craft of quilting as a guide and inspiration, but in the case of an item composed of pieces, quilting knowledge would be very useful.
I really wish I could do some of this knitting, but I have space limitations so I have to stick with small items. Still, this book inspired me to do some different things and see knitting is different ways. I learned a lot from this book! Thanks, Ms. Tiede!
March 28, 2015
I have dabbled in crocheting with fabric's before but I never considered knitting with them, so when I had the chance to get this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review I immediately jumped on it. Not only is this a visually attractive book, with beautiful color photographs, but the Rugs themselves look like little pieces of art to me. I loved all the unique techniques, helpful and easy to follow instructions and interesting color combinations. I have a pile of old t-shirts and clothes that I will be happy to utilize for my next project. This book really got my creative juices flowing and I can't wait to get started.
June 23, 2015
I just learned to knit a few years ago and I am always looking for new and unique knitting projects. This book is wonderful. Tiede walks you step by step through process. The patterns are simple. The book is filled with excellent photos of the projects, so you can see them up close and in use. I want to go out and make a rug.
February 23, 2016
I don't even knit, but I do crochet & other fiber arts, so I read this book to learn about the author's process. And I was not disappointed! I loved reading about how she began using recycled clothes & fabric items to make her "yarn", how she processes the fiber & how she sorts them, how she uses them & how she assembles the rugs.
June 23, 2016
Intriguing idea, just seems rather intimidating with the amount of supplies one needs and getting the patterns right.
Read
April 17, 2016I didn't get too far in this but wanted to note the book so I can borrow it again when I have time to work on this type of project.
July 8, 2016
3.75. Interesting techniques and designs. Author's voice very present.
December 28, 2016
A collection of quite ugly designs that are hard to keep clean.
April 10, 2017
Interesting. She used clothes and shows how to cut them up to get her strips with which she knits.
December 6, 2017
I just learned to knit a few years ago and I am always looking for new and unique knitting projects. This book is wonderful. Tiede walks you step by step through process. The patterns are simple. The book is filled with excellent photos of the projects, so you can see them up close and in use
January 3, 2018
I far prefer the front cover on the download with the rec circular rug than the netgalley thumbnail of the front cover.
As a recently took up knitting and crocheting, I was intrigued by this book. The pictures throughout the book are stunning and give vibrant life to the book and its projects, and vividly caught my imagination.
I was truly 'had' in the introduction, which not only rang true for me, but also made me chuckle. For a knitting book, it is surprisingly readable. It has a great colour and design section useful for any art projects.
A few pages in to this, I wasn't just interested to have a look, I wanted to read it, savour it and was inspired to do it (I had too many t-shirts anyway).
As a recently took up knitting and crocheting, I was intrigued by this book. The pictures throughout the book are stunning and give vibrant life to the book and its projects, and vividly caught my imagination.
I was truly 'had' in the introduction, which not only rang true for me, but also made me chuckle. For a knitting book, it is surprisingly readable. It has a great colour and design section useful for any art projects.
A few pages in to this, I wasn't just interested to have a look, I wanted to read it, savour it and was inspired to do it (I had too many t-shirts anyway).
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews