How To Crochet A Round T-Shirt Rug
There is something deeply satisfying about turning a pile of worn-out t-shirts into something beautiful and functional. A round t-shirt rug is one of those projects that checks every box: it uses materials you already have, it requires no special tools beyond a large crochet hook, and the finished result is a thick, cushiony rug that can last for years. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter or someone who has never picked up a hook before, this guide will walk you through every step of the process, from preparing your t-shirt yarn all the way to finishing off your last round.
Why T-Shirt Rugs Are Worth Making
Before we get into the how-to, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate why this project has become so popular among crafters. T-shirt fabric, also known as jersey knit, has a beautiful elasticity that makes it ideal for rugs. It does not fray when cut, which means you do not need to hem or seal any edges. It stretches just enough to create a smooth, even texture as you work, and it lies flat without curling the way some yarns do in circular projects. On top of that, it is incredibly durable. A well-made t-shirt rug can handle daily foot traffic, the occasional spill, and regular washing without falling apart.
From an environmental standpoint, this project is a win as well. Rather than sending old shirts to the landfill or the donation bin where they may not find a second life, you are actively repurposing them into something your household will use every day. A single large rug might consume a dozen or more shirts, which is a satisfying way to clear out a drawer or closet while creating something genuinely useful.
What You Will Need
Getting your supplies together before you start will make the process much smoother. Here is everything you will need for a round t-shirt rug that measures roughly 24 to 30 inches in diameter.
You will need a collection of old t-shirts, ideally made from 100% cotton or a cotton-polyester blend. Avoid shirts with thick seams, embroidery, or screen-printed designs that take up a large portion of the fabric, since these can create lumpy or uneven yarn strips. Aim for at least 10 to 15 adult-sized shirts for a rug of medium size. If you want a larger rug, plan on having 20 or more.
You will also need a large crochet hook. For t-shirt yarn, a hook in the range of 15mm to 20mm works beautifully. A 16mm hook is a popular choice because it creates a fabric that is dense enough to hold together but not so tight that the rug becomes stiff. If you are using very thick strips or doubled-up fabric, go with the 19mm or 20mm size.
A sharp pair of fabric scissors is essential. Rotary cutters and self-healing mats are helpful if you have them, but not required. You will also want a ruler or measuring tape to keep your strips consistent in width, and a flat surface large enough to spread out your shirts for cutting.
How To Cut T-Shirt Yarn
The quality of your t-shirt yarn will directly affect how your rug looks and feels, so it is worth taking your time with this step. There are two main methods for cutting t-shirt yarn: the loop method and the continuous strip method. For a rug, the continuous strip method creates a long, unbroken strand of fabric that works up beautifully.
Start by laying your t-shirt flat on a cutting surface. Cut across the shirt just below the armholes to remove the top portion with the sleeves and neckline. You will be left with a tube of fabric — the body of the shirt. Set the top portion aside for now. You can use it for shorter strips or save it for a smaller project.
Fold the fabric tube so that the two side seams line up, but stop about an inch short of folding it all the way to one side. This offset is the key to the continuous strip method. You should have a folded edge and an uneven edge where one layer of fabric extends slightly beyond the other.
Using your ruler, draw or eyeball lines across the fabric from the folded edge toward the uneven edge, stopping about an inch before you reach the uneven edge. Space these lines about one inch apart. Cut along all of these lines, cutting through both layers of fabric all the way from the folded edge, stopping just before the uneven edge. You will now have a series of loops that are still attached along one side.
Open the tube up slightly and you will see the attached portion running along one edge. Now you will cut diagonally from one slit to the next along this uncut edge, connecting the loops into one continuous spiral of fabric. When you stretch this strip between your hands, it will curl in on itself, creating a round, rope-like strand of t-shirt yarn.
Wind your yarn into a ball as you go, and repeat this process with each shirt. If you want a single-color rug, stick to shirts of one color. If you prefer a more eclectic look, mix and match freely — the beauty of t-shirt rugs is that color combinations that should clash often end up looking wonderful together.
Understanding The Magic Ring
Most round crochet projects start with a magic ring, which is sometimes called an adjustable ring or a magic circle. If you have never used this technique before, it might feel a little awkward at first, but it becomes second nature very quickly.
To make a magic ring with t-shirt yarn, wrap the yarn around your index and middle fingers so that the tail end crosses over the working yarn. Slip your hook through the loop on your fingers, grab the working yarn, and pull it through. Chain two stitches. This chain counts as your first double crochet. Now work five more double crochet stitches into the ring itself, not into the chain. When you have six stitches in the ring, tug the tail end of your yarn to close the ring snugly. You will then slip stitch into the top of your starting chain to join the round.
If the magic ring feels too finicky with chunky t-shirt yarn, you can also start with a simple chain ring. Chain four stitches, slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring, and then work your first round of stitches into the center of that ring.
The Basic Pattern for a Round T-Shirt Rug
This pattern uses double crochet stitches, which create a fabric that is tall enough to give the rug good loft and cushion without making it too floppy. The key to keeping a round rug flat is to increase at a consistent rate. When you add too few stitches in each round, the rug will cup upward like a bowl. When you add too many, it will ruffle and wave. The standard increase formula for a flat circle in double crochet is to add six stitches every round.
Round 1: Work 12 double crochets into your magic ring. Join with a slip stitch to form a circle. You should have 12 stitches.
Round 2: Chain 2 (this counts as your first double crochet throughout the pattern). Work 1 double crochet into the same stitch at the base of your chain. Work 2 double crochets into each stitch around the circle. Join with a slip stitch. You should have 24 stitches.
Round 3: Chain 2. Work 2 double crochets into the next stitch (one increase made). Work 1 double crochet into the following stitch. Continue alternating one increase and one regular stitch around the entire circle. Join with a slip stitch. You should have 36 stitches.
Round 4: Chain 2. Work 1 double crochet into the next stitch. Work 2 double crochets into the following stitch. Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 2 stitches. Continue this pattern of 2 regular stitches followed by an increase around the circle. Join with a slip stitch. You should have 48 stitches.
From this point forward, the pattern continues in the same spirit: in each new round, you add one more regular stitch between each increase. Round 5 will have 3 regular stitches between each increase, giving you 60 stitches. Round 6 will have 4 regular stitches between each increase, giving you 72 stitches. You continue in this way, adding 12 stitches to each round, until your rug reaches the desired size.
For a small bathroom rug around 18 inches in diameter, you will likely need about 8 to 10 rounds. For a 24-inch rug, plan on 12 to 14 rounds. For something larger that could work as an area rug, keep going until you reach the size you want, checking periodically by laying the rug flat and measuring across the center.
Joining New Colors or New Yarn
When you run out of one ball of t-shirt yarn or want to switch colors, the join is easy. Work your last stitch until you have two loops remaining on your hook, then drop the old yarn and pull the new yarn through those two loops to complete the stitch. Leave tails of about four inches on both ends, and once your rug is finished, you can tie these together in a secure knot and weave or tuck the ends into the back of the rug.
If you are working with multiple colors in a deliberate pattern, a simple approach is to switch colors every two rounds. This gives each color enough visual weight to read clearly without creating too abrupt a transition. Some crafters prefer to work in wedge-shaped sections of color, which creates a sort of pie-slice effect that is striking and graphic.
Keeping Your Rug Flat
If you notice your rug starting to cup or ruffle as you work, do not ignore it and hope it will block out. It is much easier to fix the problem in the moment than to try to correct it at the end. If your rug is cupping, you need to add extra stitches in the next round or two. You can do this by working an increase into every other stitch rather than following the standard formula for that round. If your rug is ruffling and has too much floppiness, you need to skip a stitch occasionally in the next round to remove some of the excess.
Laying your rug flat after every two or three rounds and smoothing it out by hand will give you a clear picture of how it is progressing. If it lies perfectly flat without being forced, you are on track. If it takes effort to make it lie flat, something needs to be adjusted.
Finishing Off Your Rug
When your rug has reached the size you want, it is time to finish off. Work a slip stitch into the first stitch of your final round to join, then cut your yarn leaving a tail of about six inches. Pull the tail all the way through the last loop on your hook to secure it. Thread the tail onto a large blunt needle or simply use your fingers to weave it through several stitches on the back of the rug, pulling it through in different directions so it is well anchored. Trim any excess.
If you have other loose ends from color changes, weave those in as well. A properly finished rug should have no loose tails that could catch on anything or work their way free over time.
Caring for Your T-Shirt Rug
One of the great advantages of t-shirt rugs is how easy they are to clean. Because they are made entirely from jersey knit fabric, they can go straight into the washing machine on a gentle or normal cycle with cold or warm water. Avoid hot water, which can cause the fabric to shrink unevenly. Tumble dry on low or hang the rug over a railing or drying rack to air dry. It may take a few hours to dry completely, depending on the thickness of the rug.
If the rug seems to shift around on your floors, a simple rubber rug pad cut to size will keep it in place. You can also use a spray-on rug grip product on the back of the rug for a less bulky solution.
Tips For a More Professional Result
A few small habits will make a noticeable difference in the look of your finished rug. Keeping your tension consistent throughout the project is probably the most important one. Because t-shirt yarn is stretchy, it is easy to pull your stitches tighter when you are tired or distracted, and looser when you are relaxed. Try to maintain a steady rhythm and check your tension regularly by feeling the fabric with your hand. It should feel dense and even, neither too tight nor too airy.
Cutting your yarn strips to a consistent width will also improve the look of your rug. Strips that are between 3/4 of an inch and 1 inch wide tend to work best with a 15mm to 16mm hook. Wider strips create a chunkier, more rustic look and work better with a larger hook. Narrower strips create a tighter, more refined fabric.
If you want a really polished edge on your rug, consider working one final round of single crochet around the perimeter instead of ending with double crochet. The single crochet creates a tighter, more defined edge that gives the whole piece a finished, deliberate appearance.
Creative Variations To Try
Once you have mastered the basic round rug, you will find that there are dozens of directions you can take the project. Working with a single color from start to finish creates a modern, minimalist piece that looks right at home in a contemporary bathroom or kitchen. Alternating two colors every round produces a classic bullseye pattern. Using scraps from many different shirts in no particular order creates a cheerful, patchwork-inspired look that is full of character.
You can also experiment with texture by mixing in a round of slip stitches or using half double crochet in some rounds for a slightly different surface quality. Some crafters create interesting visual effects by holding two strands of thinner t-shirt yarn together as they work, which allows for color blending and creates a more complex texture.
If you want to try a non-circular shape, the same basic principle applies: work in joined rounds, but adjust your increases and decreases to create ovals, hexagons, or other shapes. An oval rug, for instance, starts with a short chain of stitches and builds outward from both ends of that chain rather than from a central ring.
Getting Started Today
The beauty of a t-shirt rug project is that the barrier to entry is almost zero. If you have old shirts in a drawer and a large crochet hook, you have everything you need to start right now. The cutting and preparation take a little time upfront, but once you have your yarn ready and your magic ring made, the rug grows quickly. A rug of about 20 inches across can be completed in a single long afternoon or spread across a few evenings of relaxed crocheting.
It is also a project that invites you to be creative and make decisions as you go. There is no wrong color combination. There is no rule that says your rug has to be perfectly even or completely flat. Some of the most charming handmade rugs have a little life and personality in them, a slight ripple here, a bold unexpected color choice there. The goal is to make something you will enjoy using, and with a t-shirt rug, that goal is well within reach for crafters of any experience level.
