Crochet T-Shirt Rugs: 8 Free Patterns to Transform Your Old Clothes into Beautiful Home Decor
There is something deeply satisfying about taking something you were about to throw away and turning it into a treasure. That is exactly what crochet t-shirt rugs are all about. If you have ever looked at a pile of worn-out, stained, or outgrown t-shirts and felt guilty about tossing them, this craft is your answer. By cutting old cotton tees into strips and crocheting them together, you can create thick, durable, colorful rugs that are soft underfoot, easy to wash, and completely one of a kind.
T-shirt yarn, sometimes called tarn, has been growing in popularity for years, and for good reason. It is free if you use old shirts, it is eco-friendly, and it produces a chunky, plush fabric that works beautifully for rugs. Whether you place them in the bathroom, the kitchen, a nursery, or beside the bed, these rugs add warmth and personality to any room. And because every rug is made from your own clothes, each one tells a little story.
In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about making crochet t-shirt rugs, including eight free patterns ranging from beginner-friendly rounds to more intricate shapes, tips for preparing your yarn, advice on hooks and tension, and ideas for color combinations. No matter your skill level, there is a pattern here that will work for you.
What You Need to Get Started
Before diving into the patterns, it helps to understand a few basics about working with t-shirt yarn.
Gathering your t-shirts. The best shirts for this project are 100% cotton or a high-cotton blend. Synthetic fabrics like polyester do not stretch the same way, and the rug will feel stiffer and look less polished. Look for shirts with a good amount of fabric — adult XL and XXL shirts are ideal. Children’s shirts can be used for color accents, but they produce shorter strips. Aim to have at least 10 to 15 shirts for a small bathroom rug, and 25 or more for a larger kitchen or entryway rug.
Cutting your strips. Lay each shirt flat and cut across the body of the shirt in horizontal strips, starting just below the armhole and stopping above the hem. Each strip should be about 3/4 inch to 1 inch wide. When you cut a loop and stretch it, the fabric will curl in on itself and form a rounded yarn-like strand. Connecting strips is easy: cut a small slit near the end of each loop and link them together by pulling one end through the other. Roll the finished yarn into balls so it does not tangle as you work.
Choosing your hook. T-shirt yarn is thick, so you will need a large hook. Most patterns call for a size N (9mm), P (10mm), or Q (15mm) hook. Plastic hooks are lightweight and comfortable for large projects. If your hands tire easily, ergonomic hooks with cushioned handles are worth the investment.
Tension and gauge. T-shirt yarn is forgiving, which makes it great for beginners. Still, try to keep your tension consistent throughout a project. If your stitches are too tight, the rug will curl and not lie flat. If they are too loose, the rug will feel floppy. A simple gauge swatch of 10 chains and a few rows of single crochet will help you get a feel for the material before you start.
Pattern 1: The Classic Round Rug
This is the perfect starting point for anyone new to t-shirt rug crochet. The classic round rug is made entirely in single crochet worked in continuous rounds, which means no seams and a tidy spiral from center to edge.
What you need: About 15 to 20 shirts in your chosen colors, a size P (10mm) hook, stitch marker.
How to make it: Begin with a magic ring or chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a loop. Work 6 single crochet stitches into the ring and pull it tight. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you can track your progress. In the next round, work 2 single crochet stitches into each stitch around for a total of 12 stitches. Continue increasing by working one additional plain stitch between each increase stitch with every subsequent round. The formula is straightforward: add 6 stitches every round. By round 10 you will have 60 stitches and a rug approximately 18 to 20 inches across. Continue until you reach your desired size, then slip stitch to close and weave in the ends securely.
For color changes, simply drop the old yarn when you have two loops left on your hook in the last stitch of the old color, and pull the new color through both loops to complete the stitch. This creates a clean color transition with almost no visible join.
Pattern 2: The Simple Oval Rug
Oval rugs are wonderfully practical. They fit naturally in front of sinks, along the side of a bed, or at the base of a sofa. This pattern uses the same single crochet stitch as the round rug but starts with a chain instead of a ring, which automatically creates the oval shape.
What you need: 20 to 25 shirts, size P (10mm) hook.
How to make it: Chain 15. Work 3 single crochet stitches into the second chain from the hook (these corner stitches are what create the rounded ends). Single crochet across the remaining stitches until you reach the last chain, then work 3 single crochet stitches into that chain as well. Continue along the other side of the foundation chain back to where you started. Join and continue working in rounds, adding increases at each short end to keep the rug flat. The result is a rugby ball-shaped rug that grows outward in even rounds. A finished rug of about 12 rounds will measure roughly 30 by 18 inches, which is a perfect size for in front of a bathroom sink.
Pattern 3: The Striped Rectangle
Rectangular rugs are endlessly versatile, and stripes let you use up whatever colors you have on hand without worrying about having enough of any single color. This pattern is worked flat in rows, which some crocheters find easier to manage than working in rounds.
What you need: Multiple colors of t-shirt yarn (use whatever you have), size N (9mm) or P (10mm) hook.
How to make it: Chain any even number to reach your desired rug width. A chain of 30 stitches will give you a rug about 24 to 26 inches wide. Row 1: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Chain 1 and turn. Row 2: Single crochet in each stitch across. Chain 1 and turn. Continue in this manner, changing colors as desired at the beginning of any row. When working in rows, you can carry the unused color loosely up the side of the rug or cut and rejoin as needed. Finish with a row of single crochet worked all the way around the perimeter for a neat border.
Stripes of two or three stitches wide create a lively, busy pattern. Stripes of six or more rows look bolder and more graphic. Mix and match as your yarn supply dictates.
Pattern 4: The Granny Square Rug
If you have ever made a granny square, you already know how to make this rug. The beauty of the granny square approach is that you can make each square from a different color combination, then join them together into a patchwork rug that looks wonderfully collected and intentional.
What you need: Lots of color variety, size P (10mm) hook, yarn needle for joining.
How to make it: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring. Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet), work 2 double crochet stitches into the ring, chain 2, then work [3 double crochet, chain 2] three more times into the ring. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain. Round 2: Slip stitch to the chain-2 corner space, chain 3, work 2 double crochet into the same space, chain 1, then in the next corner space work [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet]. Repeat around all four corners, ending with a slip stitch join. Continue adding rounds until your squares reach 8 to 10 inches across, then join as many squares as you need for your desired rug size. Joining with a slip stitch through the back loops creates a raised seam that adds a nice textural element.
A 3-by-4 arrangement gives you a rug of about 24 by 32 inches. A 4-by-6 arrangement will give you something closer to a runner.
Pattern 5: The Braided-Style Interlocking Rug
This pattern mimics the look of a traditional braided rag rug but is achieved entirely through crochet. You work long chains and then crochet them together in loops, creating a rug with a woven, textured appearance.
What you need: Two or three strongly contrasting colors, size Q (15mm) hook.
How to make it: Cut your t-shirt yarn into very long strips before beginning. Work a foundation chain of your desired rug length. Then work back along the chain in slip stitches, pulling each stitch through firmly for a dense cord. Make as many of these cords as you need to reach your desired rug width, then join them side by side using a yarn needle and long lengths of t-shirt yarn, weaving back and forth between the cords as you would when lacing together a fabric. The result is a thick, heavy rug that lies beautifully flat and has excellent durability.
Pattern 6: The Hexagon Patchwork Rug
Hexagons are having a moment in the crafting world, and they translate beautifully into t-shirt yarn rugs. Like the granny square rug, this pattern involves making individual motifs and joining them, but hexagons create a honeycomb pattern that looks incredibly sophisticated for a project made from old clothes.
What you need: A good variety of colors, size P (10mm) hook.
How to make it: Chain 4 and join into a ring. Round 1: Work 12 single crochet stitches into the ring. Round 2: Work 2 single crochet into each stitch around for 24 stitches. Round 3: [Single crochet in the next stitch, work 2 single crochet into the following stitch] around. Round 4: Work around, placing increases to begin shaping the flat hexagon by working 3 single crochet into each of the 6 corner positions and single crochet stitches evenly along each side between corners. Continue adding rounds in this way, always working 3 stitches into each corner, until your hexagon measures about 8 to 9 inches from flat edge to flat edge. Join finished hexagons using a flat slip stitch join through corresponding stitches along shared edges.
Pattern 7: The Boho Fringe Rug
For a more bohemian, textured look, this pattern uses a combination of single crochet and looped stitches to create a shaggy fringe effect across the surface of the rug. It is soft, plush, and has a wonderful handmade quality.
What you need: One main color and a contrast for the fringe, size P (10mm) hook.
How to make it: Work a base rectangle using single crochet rows in your main color. Once your base is finished, go back and add fringe loops using a looped stitch or by cutting lengths of t-shirt yarn and knotting them through every other stitch across the rug in rows. Space the fringe rows about two to three rows apart so the loops are dense enough to give a full, shaggy appearance. Trim the loops to an even length with sharp scissors, or leave them uncut and the loops will shift and felt slightly with wear, creating an even lusher texture over time.
Pattern 8: The Color-Block Modern Rug
Clean lines and bold color blocking give this rug a contemporary feel that works beautifully in modern homes. The construction is simple — it is worked in rows just like the striped rectangle — but the color blocks are large and deliberate rather than narrow stripes.
What you need: Two to four bold colors with good contrast, size P (10mm) hook.
How to make it: Plan your color layout in advance by deciding how many rows each block will occupy. Work the foundation chain to your desired width. Work the first color for about 10 to 14 rows, then switch to the second color for the same number of rows. Continue until you have four to six distinct color blocks stacked together. The key to making this look intentional rather than random is keeping the transitions sharp and the blocks even. Finish with a single-crochet border in the darkest color to frame the whole piece.
Tips for Making Your Rug Last
T-shirt rugs are naturally durable because cotton is a tough, washable fiber. A few finishing touches will help your rug last even longer. First, weave in all ends very securely — at least two or three inches — and consider knotting them before weaving so they cannot work loose. Second, consider using a rug gripper mat or a few dots of non-slip rug pad silicone caulk on the underside to prevent slipping on hard floors. Third, wash your rug in cold water and lay it flat to dry to prevent distortion. Most t-shirt rugs hold their shape remarkably well through many wash cycles.
Color Inspiration and Planning
One of the most enjoyable parts of making a t-shirt rug is planning the colors. Before you start cutting, lay all your shirts out together and see what you have. Group them by color family and decide whether you want a coordinated palette or a vibrant, scrappy look. Some ideas to consider: a neutral rug in whites, grays, and blacks for a bathroom; a rainbow spiral round rug for a child’s room; an ocean-inspired oval in blues, greens, and sandy whites for a beach house bathroom; or a bold red and white striped rectangular rug for a farmhouse-style kitchen.
If you find yourself short on a color, check thrift stores and charity shops. You can often find bags of cotton t-shirts for just a few dollars, which gives you an expanded palette to work with without spending much at all.
Why Crochet T-Shirt Rugs Are Worth Making
Beyond the practical benefit of diverting fabric from landfills, making a t-shirt rug connects you to a long tradition of rag rug crafting that stretches back centuries. Before mass-produced home goods, resourceful people in every culture found ways to use worn textiles to make new functional items. A crochet t-shirt rug is both a nod to that tradition and a very modern craft, adapted for the tools and materials we have today.
They also make wonderful gifts. A rug made from someone’s old band shirts, baby clothes, or college t-shirts becomes a sentimental keepsake rather than just a floor covering. If you know someone who is sentimental about their old clothes but has no more room in the drawer, offer to turn their favorites into a rug they can enjoy every single day.
Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for a new challenge or a complete beginner picking up a hook for the first time, t-shirt rugs are a project that rewards you at every step. The yarn is free, the tools are simple, the patterns are forgiving, and the result is something genuinely useful and beautiful. Pick one of the eight patterns above, gather your old shirts, and start cutting. Your floors will thank you.
