Crochet Oval Rag Rug for Beginners – Part 1: How to Crochet a Continuous Round Oval Rug

If you’ve been looking for a beginner-friendly crochet project that’s both beautiful and practical, you’ve found it. This is Part 1 of my Crochet Oval Rag Rug series, and today we’re going to walk through everything you need to know to start crocheting your very own continuous round oval rag rug from scratch. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who’s dabbled in crochet and wants a satisfying, low-cost project to tackle, this tutorial is written just for you.

Rag rugs have been made for centuries, and there’s something deeply satisfying about transforming old fabric — worn-out t-shirts, worn sheets, leftover fabric scraps — into something functional and lovely for your home. The oval shape is one of the most classic and versatile rug shapes you can make. It fits perfectly in entryways, in front of the kitchen sink, beside a bed, or even in a bathroom. And because you work it in continuous rounds, once you understand the structure, the whole thing flows beautifully without confusing pattern repeats or complicated stitch counts.

Let’s get started.

What Is a Rag Rug and Why Should You Make One?

A rag rug is exactly what it sounds like — a rug made from strips of fabric (or “rags”) rather than traditional yarn. The practice of making rag rugs goes back generations, rooted in the idea of using what you have rather than letting anything go to waste. In today’s world, rag rugs are making a huge comeback, and for good reason.

First, they’re eco-friendly. Instead of throwing away old clothing or fabric, you cut it into strips and give it a brand-new life. Second, they’re incredibly cost-effective. You can make a gorgeous, durable rug for next to nothing if you raid your closet or fabric stash. Third, they’re sturdy. Fabric strips, especially from jersey knit material like old t-shirts, create a rug that holds up beautifully to heavy foot traffic and is easy to throw in the washing machine when it gets dirty.

The oval rag rug in particular is a favorite among beginners and experienced crocheters alike. The oval shape gives you a generous surface area without the corners of a rectangle, and it’s worked in the same continuous round method that many crocheters already use for granny squares and circle projects — just extended in a different direction.

Materials You’ll Need

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s talk about what you’ll need to gather. The beauty of this project is that most of what you need is probably already in your home.

Fabric Strips

The most important material is your fabric. For a beginner, jersey knit fabric is the easiest to work with because it stretches and rolls on itself naturally when cut into strips, eliminating the need to fold and secure raw edges. Old cotton t-shirts are the single best source. Gather as many as you can — you’ll need more than you think, especially for a larger rug.

For a small oval rug measuring roughly 20 by 30 inches, plan on using around 8 to 12 adult-sized t-shirts, depending on how thick you want your strips. If you want a larger rug, you’ll need more fabric accordingly.

Other fabric options that work well include cotton bed sheets (cut into strips, they’re soft and pliable), denim from old jeans (creates a more rugged, firm rug), flannel shirts (great for a cozy texture), and any woven cotton fabric you have on hand. Just keep in mind that woven fabric doesn’t stretch the way jersey knit does, so you may need to fold your strips in thirds lengthwise before crocheting to hide the raw edges.

Crochet Hook

For fabric strip rag rugs, you’ll need a large crochet hook. The size that works best with standard fabric strips (about 1 to 1.5 inches wide) is a size N/9 (6.0mm) to P/15 (10mm) hook. Many rag rug makers love a size P (10mm) or even a size Q (15mm) hook, as the larger hook size creates a looser, flatter fabric and makes crocheting through thick strips much easier on your hands.

I recommend starting with a size N or P hook and adjusting based on the thickness of your strips. The rug should lie flat and not curl up at the edges — if it does, your tension may be too tight or you may need to go up a hook size or add extra stitches at the ends (more on that below).

Scissors

You’ll need a good pair of sharp fabric scissors. Cutting strip after strip of fabric is a repetitive task, and dull scissors will make your hands tired quickly. Invest in a decent pair or sharpen the ones you have.

A Tapestry Needle or Crochet Hook for Joining Strips

You’ll need to join your fabric strips together as you go. There are two popular methods — the loop-to-loop joining method (great for jersey knit) and the simple knot method. We’ll cover both below.

Optional but Helpful

A rotary cutter and cutting mat will make slicing your fabric into strips much faster, especially if you’re working with large pieces of fabric like sheets or yardage. A ruler or quilting guide is also helpful for keeping your strips a consistent width.

Preparing Your Fabric Strips

This step happens before you pick up your crochet hook, and taking the time to do it right will make your crocheting experience so much smoother.

Cutting the Strips

If you’re using t-shirts, the easiest method is to cut off the hem at the bottom first and discard it. Then cut horizontal strips straight across the body of the shirt (not the sleeves — set those aside for later or use them too). Aim for strips that are about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. The exact width isn’t critical, but try to be somewhat consistent.

Here’s the magical thing about jersey knit: when you stretch your cut strip between your hands, it will curl inward on itself, creating a rounded, rope-like “yarn” that’s perfect for crocheting. No folding required. This self-rolling quality is why t-shirts are the rag rug maker’s best friend.

If you’re using woven fabric like cotton sheeting or quilting cotton, cut your strips slightly wider — about 1.5 to 2 inches — to account for folding. As you crochet, fold the strip lengthwise so the raw edges are tucked inside, giving you a clean-looking finished strip.

Joining Your Strips

Because each strip from a t-shirt is only a few feet long, you’ll need to join strips together as you go to create a continuous length of “fabric yarn.” You have two easy options.

The loop-to-loop method is the preferred choice for jersey knit because it creates an almost invisible join. To do it, take the end of one strip and cut a small slit near the end (about half an inch in). Do the same for the next strip. Pull one strip through the slit in the other, then pull the tail of the second strip through its own slit to create a secure, flat knot. This creates a join that won’t unravel and lies flat within your stitches.

The simple knot method is quicker but leaves a small knot. Just tie two strips together with a square knot and trim the ends. This works well for beginners and the knots can be pushed to the back of the rug as you work.

You can prepare a large ball of fabric yarn ahead of time by joining many strips together and rolling them into a ball, or you can join strips as you go. Either method works fine.

Understanding the Oval Rug Structure

Before we start crocheting, it helps to understand why and how an oval rug is constructed the way it is. Unlike a circular rug (which starts with a magic ring and increases evenly in all directions), an oval rug starts with a foundation chain that gives it its length, and then stitches are worked around both sides of that chain in continuous rounds.

Think of it this way: the foundation chain creates the “spine” of the oval. When you work around it, you’re essentially crocheting a long rectangle that curves at both ends. The increases happen at each short end of the oval — those curves require extra stitches to keep the rug lying flat, just like a circle requires increases to prevent cupping. The straight sides of the oval have no increases.

This structure is simple and logical, and once you’ve done the first two rounds, the pattern becomes almost automatic. You’ll find yourself in a rhythm and the rug will grow quickly.

Step-by-Step: How to Crochet a Continuous Round Oval Rag Rug

Now for the fun part. Here is the step-by-step tutorial for crocheting your oval rag rug. This pattern uses single crochet throughout, which is the easiest crochet stitch and the best choice for a dense, durable rug.

Abbreviations

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
BLO = back loop only (optional, for texture — more on this below)

Foundation Chain

Decide how long you want your finished rug to be. A good beginner size is about 24 to 30 inches long. Because the oval will grow on both sides of the chain, your starting chain should be shorter than your target length.

For a rug approximately 20 to 24 inches wide and 30 to 36 inches long, chain 16.

This is your foundation chain, and it creates the straight middle section of your oval. The length you chain will roughly equal the length of the straight sides of your finished rug.

Round 1

Starting in the second chain from the hook, single crochet in each chain across. When you reach the last chain, you’re at one end of the oval. Here you’ll work additional stitches into that final chain to create the curve: work 3 single crochet into the last chain (this is your first increase point).

Now rotate your work so you’re looking at the other side of the foundation chain (the underside/back bump of the chain). Single crochet across these back bumps all the way to the other end. When you reach the other end, work 2 single crochet into the same stitch where you began, creating your second curve.

Do not join with a slip stitch. Instead, place a stitch marker in the first stitch of the round and begin Round 2 immediately. This is what “continuous rounds” means — you work in a spiral without stopping to join each round.

Round 2 and Beyond

Continue working single crochet around the oval continuously. At each short end (the curves), you’ll need to add increases to keep the rug flat. A general rule of thumb for oval rugs is to add roughly 6 to 8 extra stitches per end per round, but because the number of stitches at each end grows, you’ll distribute those increases differently as the rug gets larger.

A simple formula many rag rug makers use: at each end, work 2 sc in every other stitch for the first several rounds, then transition to 2 sc in every third stitch, then every fourth, and so on as the rug grows. Watch your rug as you go — if the edges start to ruffle and wave, you’ve added too many stitches. If the rug starts to cup or bowl upward, you haven’t added enough. Adjust as needed. Trust what your eyes and hands are telling you.

The straight sides of the rug get no increases — just work one single crochet in each stitch all the way along those sections.

Move your stitch marker up at the beginning of each new round so you always know where one round ends and the next begins.

Optional: Back Loop Only Stitch

For a rug with a lovely ridged texture (similar to the look of a braided rug), try working your single crochet through the back loop only (BLO) instead of both loops. This creates raised horizontal ridges across the surface of the rug that are both beautiful and add a bit of grip underfoot. It does make the rug slightly looser, so you may need to adjust your hook size or tension accordingly.

Tips for Keeping Your Rug Flat

A flat rug is a happy rug, and keeping it flat is the most common challenge beginners face with oval rag rugs. Here are the most important things to remember.

Your tension matters enormously. If you crochet tightly, your rug will tend to cup. Loosen up — rag rugs are worked at a looser tension than garments, because you want the fabric to lie flat on the floor.

The number of increases at each end is the key structural element. Don’t skip increases or forget to add them, and don’t add so many that the ends ruffle. Take a moment to lay your rug flat on a table every few rounds and check that it’s lying smooth.

If you’re working with mixed fabrics or mixed strip widths, the tension will vary throughout the rug, and that’s completely okay and part of the handmade charm. Just be aware that thicker sections may require slightly looser stitching to maintain flatness.

How to Finish Your Rag Rug

When your oval rug has reached the size you want, it’s time to finish off. Work a slip stitch into the next stitch to close the final round, then cut your fabric strip leaving a tail of about 6 inches. Use a tapestry needle or a crochet hook to weave the tail back through several stitches on the underside of the rug to secure it. Trim any excess.

If your rug has any loose tails from strip joins sticking out, weave those in or trim them close to the surface on the back of the rug. Most join tails will be hidden within your stitches already, especially if you used the loop-to-loop joining method.

Caring for Your Oval Rag Rug

One of the greatest things about a crochet rag rug made from cotton t-shirts or cotton fabric is that it’s completely machine washable. Toss it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water and a small amount of detergent. Lay it flat to dry, or tumble dry on low heat. Avoid high heat, as it can cause shrinkage or distortion of the stitches.

Over time, your rug may flatten and soften with use and washing, which actually makes it look even better. Handmade rag rugs develop a beautiful, worn-in character that no store-bought rug can replicate.

What’s Coming in Part 2

You’ve just learned everything you need to start crocheting your very own oval rag rug — from choosing and preparing your fabric to working in continuous rounds and finishing off your creation. In Part 2 of this series, we’ll look at how to customize the size of your rug for different spaces, how to mix colors and fabrics intentionally for beautiful stripe patterns, and a few variations on this basic pattern that can take your rag rug to the next level.

The oval rag rug is one of those projects that, once you make one, you’ll want to make for every room in the house. They make wonderful gifts, they’re endlessly customizable, and they’re a genuinely feel-good project because you’re making something beautiful out of things that would otherwise be thrown away.

Grab your scissors, raid your t-shirt drawer, and start snipping. Your rug is waiting to be made.

If you try this pattern, I’d love to hear how it goes. Drop a comment below and let me know what fabrics you used, how large your rug turned out, and any tips you picked up along the way. Happy crocheting!