Update: Here’s an update to this I did on January 26, 2012.
This post was not paid for by Pinterest. I’m 99.9% positive pretty sure they have no idea this blog wading among millions exists. Let’s face it, it’s pretty much just me writing and a few friends reading, and maybe my Mom, maybe, haha.
Consider me on the bandwagon. I’m officially on Pinterest. I was going to write an entire post about Pinterest and my participation in the Pinterest Challenge, but I figured it would be easier to make a video to explain why I joined Pinterest, and what I’m working on for the Challenge…sort of.
To sum up the video, I fell for Pinterest. Hard. Like, fall for Richard Gere hard. Shut up, I have a thing for Richard Gere (mainly ala Pretty Woman. There’s just something about the love story between a rich guy and a hooker). I own it (liking Richard Gere, not owning Pretty Woman, but now that I think about it I really should). So in lieu of joining Pinterest, and of the Pinterest Challenge – I’m going to crochet a rug.
Particularly, one similar to this. Originally from Viva Terra for over $700 dollars. YIKES.
Theirs = wool. Mine = cheap yarn. Theirs = meticulously adorable little flowers. Mine = whatever shape I feel like making on that particular night. Theirs = adorable.
Mine might end up a ton of coasters and potholders.
The best part of this? It keeps me busy because I clearly do not have anything else to do, and I can roll it up and throw it in the wash. One of the things I didn’t mention was the size I’m planning on. I’m looking to make a 5×7 rug.
It’s going to be a lot of work.
Bring it on.
Happy Pinspiration (not to be confused with perspiration),
Heather
Pss …A few side things: Note that I mention I have no makeup on in this video, it’s apparent I forgot I had a little blusher on from earlier. Also, I thought it would be nice to share the video with a mosquito. He was more interested in trying to get blood from me and buzz around the camera. I will not be inviting him back. Also also, I said “like” too much. *cringe*. Sorry.
76 Comments
I heart this sooo much!!! So, did you just make a bunch of crochet chains, bundle them up and glue a non stick surface to one side? Bada-bing you got a rug?? Soooo adorable:)
Haha well, I have to admit that this rug isn’t something that is going to be finished anytime soon. You know when you’re super hungry and you go to a restaurant and order the whole menu and then you’re like “damn, a bowl of soup would have done it?”. Yeah, that, only applied to the rug. Haha. Someday, when my house isn’t torn apart, this WILL get finished. My plan is to tie them onto a backing though so I can easily wash it. There’s an update at the top of this post though, where you can see how I did the stitches and how I plan on attaching it.
xo,
Heather
Can you tell me what stitch you are using to crochet the different pieces for your rug?
Hi Jamie, if you go to the top of the post there is a link to an update. I have some tips over there on how I’m doing the stitches. It really isn’t a set stitch but it will give you a good idea and step by step instructions on one I’m mainly using.
xo,
Heather
I would just like to add that $700 for a rug is really not a lot of money. And, if it is the statement piece that makes the room, then $700 could be seen as a real value. Large pieces like rugs, sofas, and drapery can easily cost several thousand. If you break down the cost for the rug over the length of time that you plan to keep the item, it helps to put the price of an item in perspective.
Absolutely! It just comes down to perspective, budget and what really matters most to the particular person. We all have different values, so what may be cheap to one person, may be way out of reach for another. I can’t imagine we would ever spent $700 on a rug, but I would happily save money for a really nice gas range or we would happily invest in a sawmill that was thousands. Again, it’s all personal value. I can absolutely see why this rug is $700 dollars though, it is a ridiculous amount of work. I’ve had to put this project aside time and time again because other more important projects, life events, etc. have come up. At this point I *might* have a 2×3 rug done by 2030 haha. We’ll see!
xo,
Heather
i stumbled into this site, and i am glad i did! i like the idea of the rug: crocheting as i go, making lots of pot holders, which i don’t really like, and making them into something awesome like a rug or a blanket sounds great to me
so i will join you as well. i have so many old and pretty sheets that i don’t want to throw away or give away, so this is what i will make. thank you for the idea!
oh, and by the way, i also fell for pinterest hard and unintentionally
a friend introduced me to it, and now i can go a day w/o surfing the different pages and adding stuff i’d like to try to my own pages 
have a great end of summer and an even better fall and winter–i can’t wait!!
charlie
mom of two
Hey Charlie! First, I love your name (Charlie is one of my favorites, male or female) and second, welcome! I was seriously *just* about to make a vlog next week saying that I think I need to concede and give up, but I can’t give up on you! I will give it one more go to see if I can find the time to finish it (which is my biggest problem). Oh, and yes, Pinterest is pretty much ammmaazing.
xo,
Heather
I have been looking for a rug pattern to do for my hall . This looks like one I would do. I know I have seen this rug somewhere. Going to try and figure out the pattern and the stiches, have you found the pattern? I wonder if i could buy the pattern?
Hi! At the top of this post is a link to an update I did. I don’t have a set pattern per se, but you can see how I worked on it.
Xo,
Heather
Heather, I just simply love love love this rug!! What are the basic measurements of the different size flowers as well as an overall measurement of the rug?
Woah! I didn’t get the notification I had a new comment. Sorry there, Cindy. If you look at the top of this post there’s a link to an update I did where I discuss more in depth how I make the flowers, etc. The rug is suppose to be pretty large but I downsized my goal to a simple 2×3. Each flower is roughly 3 inches across? They vary since it’s not really set. There’s more about it all in the update. To be entirely honest, this project has unravelled (pun har har). I just don’t have time to work on it, which is sad, but I have about a million other more important things. Here’s to hoping I finish it before I’m 90.
xo,
Heather
I absolutely love this rug! You have inspired me to make one of my own for my soon-to-be apartment!
I am stopping over via a pin on Pinterest!
Helen
Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
Go Helen!
xo,
Heath
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Just an idea… you could crochet a mesh backing to attach your flowers to. Instead of the hard plastic. It would probably be a lot of extra work, especially considering the size you want, but you’d still be able to roll up the entire rug for cleaning.
Haha, did I say I was putting it on hard plastic (it’s been a long time since I’ve watched that video!)? I think that might have been an idea I was originally throwing around among others but I don’t remember. I think out loud (hello extrovert) but I can assure you I’m not going to attach it to hard plastic. I am all about a flexible back so I can roll it up and wash it. My plan, now that I’ve worked at this more, is actually to just stitch all the flowers together and simply lay the final rug (if it ever gets final, but that’s a whole different topic) on a separate rug mat to keep it from slipping around. It will make it easier to wash and dry overall and I won’t have to worry about the yarn shrinking up and my rug backing staying the same size and screwing it all up. If the rug shrinks after I dry it, I’ll just cut the separate backing to fit the new size. Like I said, if I ever get it done *head hits keyboard*.
xo,
Heather
I am a mom of three and can totally relate to the low budget DIY decor needs. I absolutely loved your video. Pinterest is an amazing tool. Its the first place I go if I need a recipe, inspiration or patterns.
Richard Gere is my not so secret ” love” and has been for years! I don’t really know how to crochet but. I’m a pretty good knitted. I would love to try a knitted version of your rug. I look forward to seeing your progress.A wonderful take along project.Thanks somuch for your post and getting me knitting again.
Back off, Catherine. He’s mine. Bwahaha. I can’t even say that with a straight face. Not that you can see my face. Oh boy this comment response is going off the rails. Topic change. I’m glad you like the rug! I pretty much never touch it anymore, except to touch it and say “why, why did I put you out into the world when we both know I will likely never finish you”. I did make one more round. So that’s about one round per three months or so. Maybe I’ll have it done by the time I’m 90? Good luck on your knitted version!I hope it goes faster than my hot mess.
xo,
Heather