Finished and Happy!

First you make a pile of strips like these.

Then you turn the strips into yarn like this.

Finally grab your biggest crochet hook and finish up with something useful like this.

It is so pleasing to have this rug done! My original plan with this fabric yarn was to make tote bags. As I experimented I found the resulting fabric too thick for what I wanted. I decided to make a rug instead and it was a great choice. What I crocheted here is nice and thick and feels so good to stand on. Stirring steel cut oats for 30 minutes won't be such a chore from now on. I have grand plans to  make 3 more of these now. On will go in front of the sink, another where I stand and do chopping when cooking and the last in front of the refrigerator.

For the strips I am using old shirts mostly. I choose ones that are stained or show too much wear to go to a thrift store. I start with removing buttons and saving those and then take apart the shirt and cutting one inch strips. Other sources in the future will come as I go through my fabric stash. I am sure I have scraps from projects that will be usable as well as that occasional "why on earth did I buy this" piece of yardage.

Since discovering that this project produces a thick sturdy fabric after the rugs I may try making some bowls or baskets out of  the fabric yarn I make. Of course I will make note of these thing right here on the blog when they happen.

Projects like these rugs and the envisioned bowls all fit the intentions expressed in one of my favorite sayings. You have probably heard it yourself. "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." That's me, using is up.

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!