Round Crochet Rug with T-Shirt Yarn – Free Pattern
There is something deeply satisfying about making something beautiful for your home out of material that might otherwise end up in a landfill. A round crochet rug worked in t-shirt yarn sits right at the intersection of sustainability, creativity, and comfort — and once you understand the basic structure, it becomes one of those projects you find yourself making over and over again in different color combinations for every room in the house.
This free pattern from Ned & Mimi will walk you through everything you need to know to create a thick, squishy, washable round rug that looks like it came straight from a boutique home décor shop. Whether you are a beginner who has mastered the basics or an experienced crocheter looking for a quick and satisfying project, this pattern is designed to be approachable, flexible, and genuinely fun to make.
What Is T-Shirt Yarn and Why Is It Perfect for Rugs?
Before we dive into the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to talk about the star of the show: t-shirt yarn, also known as tshirt yarn, fabric yarn, or zpagetti yarn. This chunky, stretchy material is made by cutting old knit fabric — most often the kind used in jersey t-shirts — into long continuous strips. The result is a yarn that is soft, washable, durable, and wonderfully tactile.
T-shirt yarn comes in two main forms. You can buy it commercially from craft stores and online retailers, where it is typically sold in balls of around 100 to 200 meters. These commercial versions are made from textile factory offcuts, which means buying them is already a more sustainable choice than purchasing conventional synthetic yarn. Alternatively, you can make your own t-shirt yarn at home by recycling old t-shirts from your wardrobe or thrift store finds. Both options work beautifully for this pattern.
The reason t-shirt yarn is so well suited to rug making comes down to a few key qualities. It is thick, which means your rug grows quickly and has real substance underfoot. It is naturally grippy when worked at the right tension, which helps the finished rug stay in place on hard floors. It is machine washable, which is practically essential for something that lives on the floor. And because it comes in such a wide range of colors — from neutrals and naturals to bold, saturated tones — you have enormous creative freedom when it comes to designing your color palette.
Materials You Will Need
Getting your materials together before you start is always a good idea with larger projects, and this rug is no exception. Here is what you will need to complete a round rug measuring approximately 60 centimeters (about 24 inches) in diameter, which is a perfect size for a bathroom, beside a bed, or in an entryway.
For the yarn, you will need approximately 300 to 400 grams of t-shirt yarn for a rug of this size. If you want to make a larger rug — say, 80 to 90 centimeters in diameter — plan on 600 to 800 grams. You can work this pattern in a single color for a clean, modern look, or use two or three colors to create stripes, color blocks, or a gradient effect. The choice is entirely yours.
For the hook, you will want to use a large crochet hook. Most t-shirt yarn works best with a 10mm to 16mm hook, depending on the thickness of your particular yarn. A 12mm hook is a good starting point for most commercial t-shirt yarns. If you find that your stitches feel too tight or the yarn is difficult to work with, go up a hook size. If your rug feels floppy and lacks structure, go down a size.
You will also need a pair of scissors, a yarn needle or tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a non-slip rug pad if you plan to use the rug on a hard floor surface. The rug pad is optional during the making process but is something to think about once the project is finished.
Understanding the Construction
This round crochet rug is worked from the center outward in continuous rounds or joined rounds, depending on your preference. The foundation is a magic ring — also called a magic circle or adjustable loop — which allows you to close the center of your rug tightly without leaving a hole. If you have not used a magic ring before, do not be intimidated. With chunky t-shirt yarn, the technique is actually easier to see and feel than it is with fine yarn, making it a great opportunity to practice.
The rug is worked primarily in single crochet stitches. Single crochet is the ideal stitch for rug making because it produces a dense, sturdy fabric that holds its shape well and provides good cushioning underfoot. The key to keeping your round rug flat — rather than cupping upward like a bowl or ruffling outward like a frill — lies in the increase pattern. As you work outward from the center, you need to add stitches at a consistent rate to compensate for the growing circumference of each round.
The general rule for a single crochet circle is to add six stitches per round. So your first round will have six stitches, your second round will have twelve, your third will have eighteen, and so on. In practice, these increases are distributed evenly around each round so the work remains balanced and the circle stays flat. We will cover exactly how to do this in the step-by-step instructions below.
Pattern Notes and Abbreviations
Before you begin, here are the abbreviations used throughout this pattern.
MR means magic ring. Ch means chain. Sl st means slip stitch. Sc means single crochet. Inc means increase, which is two single crochet stitches worked into the same stitch. St means stitch. Rnd means round. Rep means repeat.
This pattern is written for a finished size of approximately 60cm in diameter, but it is infinitely adjustable. Simply continue adding rounds using the same increase pattern until your rug reaches the size you want. Each round adds approximately 2 to 3 centimeters to the diameter, depending on your yarn thickness and tension.
Free Pattern: Round Crochet Rug in T-Shirt Yarn
Foundation
Begin with a magic ring. If you prefer not to use a magic ring, you can substitute with a starting chain of 2 stitches and work your first round into the second chain from the hook.
Round 1
Work 6 sc into the magic ring. Pull the tail to close the ring. You will have 6 stitches at the end of this round. If you are working in joined rounds, join with a slip stitch to the first sc and chain 1. If you prefer to work in a continuous spiral, place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round to keep track of your position.
Round 2
Work 2 sc into each stitch around. You will have 12 stitches at the end of this round. (Every stitch is an increase in this round.)
Round 3
Work in a pattern of 1 sc in the first stitch, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat this sequence all the way around. You will have 18 stitches at the end of this round.
Round 4
Work 1 sc in each of the first 2 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat around. You will have 24 stitches at the end of this round.
Round 5
Work 1 sc in each of the first 3 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat around. You will have 30 stitches at the end of this round.
Round 6
Work 1 sc in each of the first 4 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat around. You will have 36 stitches at the end of this round.
Round 7
Work 1 sc in each of the first 5 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat around. You will have 42 stitches at the end of this round.
Round 8
Work 1 sc in each of the first 6 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat around. You will have 48 stitches at the end of this round.
Round 9
Work 1 sc in each of the first 7 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat around. You will have 54 stitches at the end of this round.
Round 10
Work 1 sc in each of the first 8 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat around. You will have 60 stitches at the end of this round.
Rounds 11 through 14
Continue following the same increase pattern, adding one additional plain sc before each increase stitch with each successive round. Round 11 will have 66 stitches, Round 12 will have 72, Round 13 will have 78, and Round 14 will have 84 stitches.
Round 15 and beyond
Continue in the same manner until your rug reaches your desired diameter. For a 60cm rug, most people find that 15 to 18 rounds is approximately right, depending on yarn thickness and personal tension. Check your work frequently by laying it flat on a surface. If it lies perfectly flat, you are on track. If it starts to cup, you may need to add a few extra increases in the next round. If it starts to ruffle, you may have added too many increases and can work one round without any increases to compensate.
Finishing
When your rug has reached the desired size, fasten off by cutting the yarn and pulling the tail through the final loop. Use your yarn needle to weave the tail securely into the back of the rug. Do the same with the starting tail from your magic ring. Give the ends a gentle tug to make sure they are secure — the last thing you want is for an end to work loose under foot traffic.
Tips for Keeping Your Rug Flat
Flat is the goal with any round rug, and achieving it consistently comes down to a few things worth knowing before you get started.
Tension is everything in t-shirt yarn projects. Because the yarn is stretchy, it is easy to pull it too tight without realizing it, which leads to a cupped, bowl-shaped result. Aim for a relaxed, even tension where the fabric has a little give but the stitches are still clearly defined. Working with a hook that feels comfortable in your hand makes a significant difference here.
The increase pattern described above assumes you are working with six increases per round, evenly distributed. This is the standard approach for single crochet circles and works well in the vast majority of cases. However, if you are using an unusually thick or thin t-shirt yarn, you may find that you need to adjust slightly. Trust your eyes and hands — your rug will tell you what it needs.
Blocking is not typically necessary with t-shirt yarn rugs the way it might be with finer wool or cotton, but if your finished rug has a slight wave or curl at the edges, laying it flat under a few heavy books overnight can help. You can also wet the rug slightly and smooth it out flat, then allow it to dry completely before use.
Color Ideas and Design Variations
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this pattern is how easily it adapts to different color schemes. Here are a few ideas to spark your imagination.
A classic neutral rug in cream, grey, or natural undyed cotton t-shirt yarn looks stunning in bathrooms and entryways. The texture of the stitches speaks for itself when the color is simple, and a neutral rug works with virtually any existing décor.
For a bohemian or eclectic look, try working alternating rounds in two or three earthy tones — terracotta, mustard, and off-white make a particularly warm and inviting combination. Changing color at the beginning of each round is simple with t-shirt yarn because the ends can be woven in easily and the joins are barely visible.
If you enjoy a more graphic, geometric aesthetic, try working the first six or eight rounds in a dark color for the center and then switching to a light color for the outer rounds. This creates a striking two-tone effect that looks very intentional and design-forward.
For a playful, rainbow-style rug, use a different color for every two rounds and work through as many colors as you like. This approach is especially well suited to rugs made from handmade t-shirt yarn, where you might have a range of different colored t-shirts to work through.
How to Make Your Own T-Shirt Yarn at Home
If you want to take this project in a fully sustainable direction, making your own t-shirt yarn is easier than it sounds and enormously satisfying. All you need are old t-shirts — the larger the better — and a pair of sharp scissors.
Lay your t-shirt flat on a table and cut off the hemmed bottom edge. Then cut the shirt into horizontal strips, each about 2 to 3 centimeters wide, stopping about 2 centimeters before the side seam so that all the strips remain connected like a ladder. When you have cut all the way up to the armholes, fold out the uncut side seam section and cut diagonally from the top of one strip to the bottom of the next, creating one long continuous strand. Stretch this strand gently and it will curl in on itself to form a round, rope-like yarn. Roll it into a ball and you are ready to crochet.
One adult XL t-shirt yields roughly 50 to 80 grams of usable yarn, depending on the weight of the fabric. For a rug of this size, you will need yarn from approximately five to eight shirts. Thrift stores are a great source of cheap, plentiful fabric for this purpose — look for 100% cotton or cotton-blend jersey fabrics for the best results.
Caring for Your Finished Rug
T-shirt yarn rugs are wonderfully practical because they can go straight into the washing machine when they need cleaning. Use a gentle or delicate cycle with cool or lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Avoid using fabric softener, as it can break down the fibers over time and reduce the grip of the rug underfoot.
Machine drying is possible but not ideal for large rugs, as the heat and tumbling can distort the shape slightly. If you do machine dry, use a low heat setting and check on the rug every fifteen minutes or so. Alternatively, reshape the rug while it is damp and lay it flat to air dry. This gives you the opportunity to smooth out any minor imperfections and ensure the rug dries in a perfectly round shape.
Rugs made from handmade t-shirt yarn may shed a little during the first few washes as any loose fibers work their way out. This is completely normal and settles down after a wash or two.
Why This Makes a Wonderful Gift
Handmade rugs are among the most thoughtful and impressive gifts you can give, largely because most people have no idea how approachable they are to make. A round rug in someone’s favorite colors, sized to fit their bathroom or reading nook, shows a level of care and personalization that no shop-bought item can replicate.
Because t-shirt yarn projects work up so quickly — you can realistically complete a 60cm rug in an evening or over a weekend — this is also a practical gift option even if you do not have months of lead time. The cost of materials is relatively low, particularly if you use homemade yarn, making it an accessible choice for gift-giving on a budget without sacrificing quality or beauty.
A Note from Ned & Mimi
At Ned & Mimi, we believe that the best craft projects are the ones that fit into real life — the ones you can pick up during an evening in front of a film, that use materials you feel good about, and that result in something genuinely beautiful and useful. This round crochet rug in t-shirt yarn ticks every one of those boxes, and we hope it brings you as much joy to make as it does to live with every day.
If you make this rug, we would love to see it. Share your finished project and tag us so we can admire your color choices and celebrate your work. Every rug is different, and that is exactly what makes this pattern so endlessly worth returning to.
Happy crocheting.
