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How To Crochet A Bath Rug with Rope

How to Crochet A Rug with Rope

Ta – dah! Clothesline bath rug.  What do you think?

Since last summer, I’ve wanted to make a bath mat with some kind of twine or rope.  We have one mat in our master bath, but when it’s in the wash I usually just use a towel on the floor. The towel works fine, but if there’s an excuse to crochet something, you know it’s going to happen, right?  So here we go….a clothesline turned bath mat. $16.00 of rope, turned rug.

How to Crochet A Rug with Cloths Line

Leave it to me to go find the closest thing to yarn that you can find at the local home improvement store. Ha!

These clotheslines work PERFECT for this crocheted rug, I tell ya. They’ve got just just enough softness and loft and are still stiff enough to feel worthy of rug material. I found these clotheslines at Lowes, each one is 50 feet long, and I bought six of them, which was the right amount for a small mat ( Size 18″ by 15.5″ )

You can certainly buy more and make it a larger mat by continuing the pattern, and/or by doing some extra rows of single crochet on the sides.  Honestly, you can modify this however you’d like to get to the size you prefer.  This one that I made is just right for small spaces.

In fact, if you’re a total beginner, I encourage you to try making one with only single crochet stitches.  Just YouTube how to “Single Crochet”, get a big “Speed Hook” and give it a whirl.  In fact, my thought was to make this with only single crochet stitches so it would be easy for anyone to make.  I didn’t follow through with that idea though because I didn’t LOVE the texture of the single crochet rug. Single crochet is a bit tight, and you get knotty things going on that don’t feel as nice under your toes.  It still works,  but I went with this pattern to make it softer with a bit of squish. 😉

How to crochet rug halfway

Speaking of the stitch I used, do you recognize it at all? It’s the same one I used for my “Bath House Spa” washcloth. It has an amazing texture.

Make sure you check out the pictures below of the progress while making it!

You will need:

6 Packs of Blue Hawk Clothesline From Lowes or 300 feet of clothesline (make sure it feels good on your skin). Some of those ropes would be torture to step on from a bath, so feel it before you buy!

Size S 35 Speed  Crochet Hook ( I got mine from Lion Brand Yarn )

Scissors

Tips /Notes:

This is an easy pattern that uses only single crochet and double crochet stitches.  If you are comfortable with those, I think you can try this out. Check out the pattern below to see what you think!

Leave yourself long tails to weave in so that the rug is secure. It’s not a tight fabric, make sure to weave in well.

I knotted my rope when I joined a new piece because I wanted it to be secure. Just get the knot as close in to the fabric as you can. I can’t see my knots at all.

I don’t know how this will hold up in the wash. Any thoughts on that?  I am thinking I may just hand wash it?

 

How to crochet a rug - rope
Rope. Check!
How To Crochet a rug Chain
Speed Hook. Check! Chain stitches – easy peasy.
How To Crochet A Rug Progress
Getting into the pattern. Such an easy pattern of single and double crochet stitches.

 

How to crochet a rug supplies
Hardware Store yarn AKA: ROPE
How to crochet rug halfway
Loving it…..
How to Crochet A Rug with Rope
And done!

Pattern

Chain 17

Row 1 Sc across row (16 stitches)

Row 2  (Sc, 2 dc) in 2nd stitch from hook, *Sk next two stitches, (sc, 2 dc) in next st.* Repeat from * to * across to last three stitches, sk next two stitches, sc in last st.  Ch 1, turn.

Row 3 (Sc, 2 dc) in first sc, *skip next 2 dc. (sc, 2 dc) in next sc.* Repeat from * to * across row until last 3 sts, skip next 2 dc, sc in last st.

Repeat row 3 of this pattern until you’re rug is approximately 18″ long. Finish with one row of single crochet.

Tie off, weave in ends.

Let’s be honest, I was so excited to get this blog post up because I love the rug so much! It’s a lot of fun to try out different things with crochet and knitting. This project has me thinking about what else can be done with rope. Hmm…

I hope you’ve enjoyed this crocheted rug post!

How To Crochet Rug - Rope Rug

You might also like:

Crochet Washcloth Free Pattern
Bath House Spa Washcloth

 

Pendleton Rag Rug

Would you ever try a rope rug like this, or something similar? I’d love to hear if you’ve ever made a rug and what method you used.

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68 Comments

      1. I tried to make a comment but no go. So I just wanted to get it out there that the cotton clothesline would be nicer as it is water absorbent. Plus keeping to a more natural product in the end.

  1. I thought I recognized that stitch pattern!! Great job!!! Love it!! It would be perfect for a small half bath, or should I say my half bath which is in a beach theme. Would be a good summer project when I don’t want to work on a blanket. Great job!!

    1. Totally Amy. It was nice to do something kind of summery and different. Yes, perfect for a half bath. And you know this stitch well!

    2. I’ve made the rug out of sheets but I had to undo my second row because I could not get the right number of stitches at the end. What is the name of this pattern/Stitch? In multiples of how many + 1 +2?

  2. Super cool idea, and I’m going to try it out. I didn’t see where you gave the needle size that you used to crochet the project with. I would much appreciate this information. About the ends coming undone when it was washed in the machine you can take a lighter or an electric match and slightly melt the ends of the synthetic rope and it won’t come undone. Best of Luck To You In All You Endeavor, Bea

    1. Hi Bea – I’m glad you think you might try it! I used a Lion Brand Speed Hook which is an “S” 35. You can find it online but I found mine at Joanns stores. Thanks for the tip on dealing with the ends!

    2. Just be sure, if your cord is not 100% cotton, that you DO NOT put it in the dryer. It could melt, off gassing toxic fumes.

  3. I love it Jessica! We think a like, I just finished a round rag rug!! I will save this.( you know it may take me a while but I always get to making your patterns!lol) right now I’m working on three projects at once! I can admit that to you because I know you understand. As always thanks for your wonderful patterns. They are the best explained patterns on the Internet !

    1. Hi Kathy! You’re the best. Your sweet words come at a good time. That is so cool that you finished a rag rug! I’d love to try that out someday. You’ll have to share where you found the pattern or tutorial. Have a great weekend Kathy!

  4. I love this! I have wanted to make a little runner rug for beside my bed and I think I might try this a little longer. I have tried looking for an inexpensive rope to make rugs that would still be soft and I never thought to look at clotheslines. Thanks for the tip and I’ll let you know how the rug turns out.

    1. Awesome! Yes, let me know how it goes or post a pic to my Facebook page. There’s a lot of different kinds of rope out there, but this seemed the best to do the job. Hopefully you can find the same thing where you are. Have fun!

  5. How do you download the patterns? I wanted the Rug made out of rope but you cannot highlight it to copy and paste. You don’t have a download tab.

    1. Hi Anita,

      Right now I don’t have a download or print button. Since this started as my personal blog where I just share my projects, I didn’t create it like a website to download and print. The way I print from sites like mine is to copy and paste it into Word, which usually works? There is also a site I have heard of called “print friendly” that helps with printing from sites without a print button. Hope this helps!

  6. Just found your blog and as a new crocheter, I keep looking for the simple but unusual. I am going to make this rope rug! It is simple enough for me to do!

    As to printing, if you have a pc, you should be able to highlight the directions, right click and select Print…or do a screenprint….then paste into a blank document and you are ready to go! Hope this helps.

    Cathy H

  7. I wonder if you can dye the rope to make it whatever color you want and if you dye it before or after you crochet it?

    1. Hi Kimberly,
      Someone else asked me the same thing! I’m not sure how dye would work on it. There is a sheen over the rope which might prevent the color from taking super well, but I bet it would work in some capacity. What fun to make it whatever color you’d like!

      1. Synthetic materials generally do not take a dye, or they rapidly bleed the dye and make a mess. You would be better off getting already-colored cord, or perhaps doing a two-strand crochet with an acrylic yarn. As for cleaning? I would just soak it in some hot water and a product like Oxy-Clean and give it a good rinse.

    2. Walmart carries a rope that comes in different colors. I would think home improvement stores would carry it too. It is not as rough as clothes line rope.

  8. I am almost done with this cute little project. My hands are sore! It’s really cut and I am now half way done. I had trouble with one thing which I have ignored up to now. The instructions say to repeat the rows but does that mean row one also? I assumed it didn’t but I am now having trouble with the stitch counts. I love the look. I also use your pattern for the dish cloths. Love it.

    1. I’m so happy to hear that you’re trying this out Susan! Thanks for bringing this up! No, you don’t need to repeat row 1, and I will make that clear in the pattern. I’m not sure why there are issues with the stitch counts. Sometimes that last stitch is very hard to see and is really easy to miss? Do you think that could be it?

      1. I love the pattern and need a new bath mat. Am going to try this one. I think your problem with stitch count might be an error in the pattern. Shouldn’t there be a ch1 at the end of R3?

  9. I am thinking that this would work with two strands of crochet cotton together. It might work with one strand crochet cotton and one strand scrubby held together.
    Will give more thought to my idea and try when I havr the time.

    As for downloading and printing the pattern, try pinning it. Then you can come back to it whenever you want.

  10. This is beautiful I love it! Going to try to find some rope that I like 🙂
    In row 2 did you mean sc, 2 dc in the 2nd sc from the hook instead of chain? Just wanted to clarify 🙂

    Row 2 (Sc, 2 dc) in 2nd chain from hook, *Sk next two stitches, (sc, 2 dc) in next st.* Repeat from * to * across to last three stitches, sk next two stitches, sc in last st. Ch 1, turn.

    Thank you!

    1. Yes! Thank you for catching that! I just updated it to say second stitch from hook. I appreciate it, and hope you enjoy the rug!

  11. What a great idea! I am definitely going to try this, I have a size 10 and 11 chunky crochet hook, would that work to make this bath mat? If it doesn’t I am going to order one online. Thank you for sharing this awesome pattern! Love the texture

    1. Sorry for the delay in replying Elaine – I’d definitely plan to use the Size S speed hook for this one! You could try the others depending on what clothesline you buy and if it’s different.

  12. I have made hotpads from clothesline. I’ll do this pattern for my rv. I tried to dye them. I haven’t found anything but hot black tea that will stain the synthetic clothes line(beige). I even tried a beet juice/vinegar soak.. no luck. It rinsed completely out. Not even pink. This is a great patter. Thanks.

  13. Hi Jessica! Thanks for the rope rug pattern and had a question regarding this. I bought some clothesline cord its size is #7 or 7/32″………is this the size you used? The brand I purchased on Amazon is Evandale. I started it but then tore it down after getting to the 2nd row as my SC & 2 DC was not able to be made in the 2nd stitch. I am presuming you have this very loosely done! I did the spa cloth and it is beautiful fyi, I would do several of those! I just want to get my Mat done now! Thank you

    1. Hi Cindy,

      I’m so glad you’ve liked the crochet spa washcloth and I hope you can get the bath rug to work! I’m sure that there is a lot of variation with different clotheslines, their drape, etc. The one I used from Lowes, that’s pictured, is definitely very pliable and pretty soft. I’ve felt clotheslines in the past that don’t “bend” as well. The package says this rope is 3/16″ – I’m wondering if it may just be the makeup of the line that you got that doesn’t allow it to bend as easily? I’m not totally sure, but maybe another stitch might work easier? Or using an even larger hook? (Though that might be hard to find!) Hmmm…

  14. Love your patterns and thus the fact you post them for us to enjoy free! I can’t wait to make this pattern. I need new bath mats! I inherited about 100 skiens of the lily and cream cotton yarn so I think I’ll use that with this awesome pattern you have! Now, going off your pattern, how many strands would I need to hold together to come close to the close line you used? I was thinking crochet it holding four strands of that yarn? What say you? Lol I’m sick of making everything from kitchen towels and washcloths with this yarn I can’t bring myself to crochet anymore of those and I still have about 100 little balls to use up lmfao!
    Oh, regarding washing, I’d just hang it outside, hit it with your favorite antibacterial cleaner such as Clorox because it’s white, let it work for a few minutes then put your hose to work to rinse it, double hang to dry ( does it stretch out at all?) if it does, then I would throw it over my outdoor drying rack to kinda lay flat but the edges hanging over a few inches on both sides so the water drains off. This is how I take care of all our pool rugs, any out door rugs I either use a foaming carpet cleaner, scrub with a brush then rinse with my hose on the jet setting, we have so many outdoor rugs that are the outdoor carpet material that I clean then store for the next pool season, this seems to work for me. No matter what, no heat lol! Leaned the hard way but if your dryer has an “air fluff” cycle you could always just air tumble it! Just my two cents as I’m sure somebody else already suggested it and I didn’t see it!
    You’re very creative and love your work!

    1. Hi Jess,
      I’m so glad you can use up your Sugar N Cream with this rug. Great idea!! The cotton will make it so absorbent. I appreciate your thoughts on washing mine. I need to buy up some bleach! I believe holding 4 strands (maybe 5!) would work well. You might want to use a bit of a smaller hook because your yarn will be more flexible than the rope. You might have to make a swatch of the pattern and see how it turns out and go from there! Thanks for your kind words about the blog. I love sharing the projects and you’re welcome!!

  15. Hello,
    Could you explain what means
    Sk in *Sk next two stitches, (sc, 2 dc) in next st.* ?
    Thank you

    1. Sure Deniz,

      The sk means skip two stitches, then you single crochet AND double crochet in the next stitch. I hope this helps!

  16. again me,

    İ am not English native speaking person, it is hard really to understand…
    if it is possible could you add pic of scheme for this rug. İ tried twice, but it doesnt look the same as yours.
    🙁

    1. I’m so sorry Deniz, but I have no idea how to make a picture scheme for this. I wish I knew how! Maybe someone can translate it for you? Just a thought. I’m so sorry you’ve had difficulty!

  17. in the website place I put a link to the picture of this that I did. I upcycled a fitted sheet (of t-shirt material) in red for mine! I did a boarder of double crochet all the way around. It worked great! Thank you!

    1. I just left plenty of length to weave the ends in nicely and tightly. I have put it through the wash and was worried about it, but it came out great!

  18. I love this idea. At first I thought 16 dollars for rope that’s a lot. Then I read your pattern and you bought six skeins of rope not so bad..ha ha

  19. How about a bathroom garbage basket. Or something to hold extra Washcloths. Or make one for Rolled towels and Washcloths.

  20. Great idea. I’m thinking about adapting it — using rope — to make a Christmas tree skirt.
    Our 2 kittens absolutely destroyed ours — make from acrylic yarn. Rope might slow them down a little. 😉

  21. Great Idea, but wrong material. The cording should be COTTON. Synthetic – aka acrylic or polyester, does not absorb moisture well. Cotton, hemp, linen is the best for the bathroom, especially hemp because it does not mildew.

    1. I definitely would have used cotton if it was available. This still works nicely though in my opinion and I’ve been using it for years at this point.

  22. I’ve been a little bored in my spare time recently, and I’ve been considering taking up knitting as a hobby. Your article had some great tips about how to crochet a bathroom rug, that I would really like to try, and I liked how you said to make sure to leave long tails to weave into the rug so its secure. Thanks; I’ll keep this in mind if I decide to take up knitting or crocheting as a hobby.

  23. I love your spa bath mat…I have really been wanting to crochet a large rug for my living room, yes, I know…12×16…really large. Crazy right?! I have crocheted for a while but stayed close to afghans and single and double crochet. I have gotten more adventurous lately with a scarf, but I am really wanting to try different things. I was thinking about using Bernat Maker Big for a rug or a wall hanging. Any experience with Bernat Maker Big? Would it work for a rug? I would love some advice. Thanks!

  24. Hi, I LOVE the stitch in both the mat and the dishcloth. Is there a name for it? How many stitches in a repeat? I ask these questions because this is such a nice stitch that I’d like to use it to create a ruana wrap. I live in an area of the US where a nice sweater or wrap can get you through most of the winter. I’ve had the yarn for several years, it’s a gorgeous shade of blue. I just haven’t settled on the stitch I’m going to use.

  25. Hi, Jessica,
    I love your patterns! However, I am not into crochet but am a knitter. Looking forward to seeing you create a knitted bath mat out of cotton!!

  26. Hi I would like to put a non- skid backing on mine. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks, I do love this pattern. PS I made mine with cotton yarn.

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