Tapete de Crochê de Barbante: 21 Modelos para se Inspirar + 5 Gráficos Passo a Passo

If you’ve been searching for a craft project that combines creativity, practicality, and a touch of handmade warmth, a barbante crochet rug is exactly what you need. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced crocheter looking for your next challenge, this guide brings you 21 beautiful models to spark your imagination along with 5 step-by-step chart guides to help you bring those ideas to life.

Crocheted rugs made with barbante — the thick, colorful cotton cord widely used in Brazilian craft traditions — have experienced a massive resurgence in popularity. You’ll find them gracing the feeds of interior design accounts, artisan markets, and cozy living rooms everywhere. And once you understand why, it’s hard not to fall in love with them yourself.

What Is Barbante and Why Is It Perfect for Rugs?

Before we dive into the models and charts, it’s worth understanding what makes barbante such a standout material for crochet rugs. Barbante is a type of cotton twine or cord, typically sold in a range of thicknesses — most commonly numbered from 4 to 10, with higher numbers indicating a thicker cord. Its composition is usually 100% cotton or a cotton-polyester blend, making it durable, washable, and resistant to the everyday wear and tear that rugs endure.

Unlike delicate yarn, barbante holds its shape beautifully. The resulting texture is firm but slightly flexible, which means your finished rug will lie flat on the floor without curling at the edges — one of the most frustrating issues with rugs made from softer fibers. The wide color palette available in most craft stores means you can match any room’s decor, from bold and graphic patterns to soft, neutral tones.

Barbante is also budget-friendly. A ball of number 6 barbante goes a surprisingly long way when worked with a larger crochet hook, making these rugs an economical choice for home decoration. For crafters interested in selling their work, barbante rugs command excellent prices at fairs and online shops because of their visual impact and perceived quality.

Tools You’ll Need to Get Started

Getting the right tools makes all the difference. For barbante rugs, most crafters work with aluminum or plastic crochet hooks in sizes ranging from 5mm to 10mm, depending on the thickness of the cord. A number 4 or 6 barbante typically works well with a 6mm or 8mm hook, while thicker cords may call for a 9mm or 10mm hook.

Beyond the hook and the cord itself, you’ll want a large pair of scissors, a blunt tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a flat, clean surface for blocking and measuring as you go. If you’re working with multiple colors, small yarn bobbins or binder clips can help keep your skeins organized and tangle-free.

One optional but very useful tool is a stitch marker — a simple plastic ring or safety pin that you clip onto your work to mark the beginning of a round or a specific stitch. For circular rugs especially, keeping track of your rounds will save you from a lot of confusion as the piece grows.

21 Barbante Crochet Rug Models to Inspire Your Next Project

1. The Classic Round Rug

The most iconic barbante rug is the round model worked in simple spiraling rounds of single crochet or half double crochet. This timeless shape works in any room and is the perfect starting point for beginners. Try it in a solid color for a minimalist look, or alternate two colors every two rounds for a subtle striped effect.

2. The Oval Bathroom Rug

An elongated oval shape is ideal for placing in front of a sink or bathtub. You begin with a foundation chain and increase at each end as you work your rounds outward. The oval rug gives a classic, clean feel and is especially lovely in white, ecru, or soft pastel tones.

3. The Spiral Rainbow Rug

This cheerful model uses continuous rounds worked in a tight spiral, changing colors in a rainbow sequence. It’s a favorite for children’s rooms and playful spaces. The key here is seamless color changes — you don’t need to cut your yarn between colors if you work in a gradual gradient.

4. The Mandala-Inspired Round Rug

A more intricate take on the circle, mandala rugs feature repetitive geometric motifs radiating from the center. These require a bit more attention to pattern reading but the result is absolutely stunning — like a piece of art on your floor.

5. The Striped Rectangle Rug

Worked in rows rather than rounds, this straight-edged rug suits entryways, kitchens, and hallways. Using two or three coordinating colors in alternating stripes creates a bold, graphic look that never goes out of style.

6. The Granny Square Rug

Granny squares — those classic small motifs crocheted individually and then joined together — translate beautifully into rugs. The modular nature means you can make them in batches over time and assemble the rug when you have enough squares. Mix and match colors for a vintage patchwork feel.

7. The Braided Effect Rug

Achieved through a series of raised stitches, the braided effect rug looks incredibly complex but is simpler than it appears. The technique involves working slip stitches or surface chains across the finished piece, creating the illusion of interwoven braids.

8. The Hexagonal Rug

An eye-catching alternative to circles and squares, the hexagon rug can be made as a single large motif or by joining several smaller hexagons together. This shape looks particularly lovely in earthy tones — terracotta, mustard, rust, and off-white.

9. The Diamond Chevron Rug

Chevron patterns bring instant energy to any floor. This rectangular rug uses increases and decreases in a rhythmic pattern to create sharp, clean zigzag lines. Work it in two contrasting colors for maximum impact, or in a gradient for something softer.

10. The Tapestry Crochet Rug

Tapestry crochet involves carrying two or more colors simultaneously within each row or round, switching between them to create detailed pixel-like designs. Geometric shapes, tribal-inspired patterns, or even simple lettering can be achieved with this technique on a rug backing.

11. The Bohemian Fringe Rug

A rectangular or circular base rug finished with long yarn fringe around its edges. The fringe is added last by cutting lengths of barbante and attaching them with a simple lark’s head knot. The result has an artisanal, bohemian quality that suits any eclectic home decor.

12. The Spiral Oval Rug

Similar to the classic round spiral but worked in an oval from the start. This model has a softer, more elongated silhouette that suits bedroom spaces placed lengthwise beside a bed.

13. The Waffle Stitch Rug

The waffle stitch creates a beautiful textured grid pattern that is both visually interesting and pleasant underfoot. This is a slightly more advanced stitch but the three-dimensional texture it produces is well worth the effort, especially in neutral tones like beige or grey.

14. The Color Block Square Rug

A large square rug divided into quadrants of contrasting colors. Each section is worked separately and then joined, or the color changes can be made within a single piece using intarsia technique. Modern and graphic, this model suits contemporary interiors beautifully.

15. The Lacy Round Rug

Using chain spaces, slip stitches, and open meshwork instead of tight stitches, a lacy round rug has an airy, delicate quality. While it won’t provide as much cushioning as a dense rug, it’s gorgeous as a decorative layer over a plain floor or even over another rug.

16. The Log Cabin Rug

Inspired by the traditional quilt pattern, this square rug is built outward from a central rectangle by adding strips along each side in a rotating fashion, alternating between two colors. The result is a beautifully organized geometric composition.

17. The Vintage Crochet Doily Rug

Scaling up a traditional doily pattern using barbante creates a spectacular statement piece. Worked in white or cream, this model has an unmistakable vintage charm and looks especially beautiful in country-style or Romantic interiors.

18. The Star or Sunburst Rug

A circle worked with strategic increases to form pointed rays creates a star or sunburst shape. Alternate the ray color with a contrasting background color for maximum visual effect. This model is a favorite among artisan crafters because it photographs so beautifully.

19. The Moroccan-Inspired Trellis Rug

A rectangular rug featuring repeating trellis or lattice motifs in the style of Moroccan tiles. This typically involves alternating between a base color and a second color in a grid-like overlay pattern. The effect is geometric, sophisticated, and incredibly chic.

20. The Thick Loop Rug

Sometimes called a “finger crochet” or chunky loop rug, this model uses very thick cord — sometimes multiple strands held together — worked with an oversized hook or even just your hands. The loops are large and visible, creating a bold, shaggy texture that is irresistibly cozy.

21. The Personalized Initial Rug

Using tapestry crochet or surface embroidery on a plain rectangular base, this model incorporates a letter or monogram into the design. These make wonderful personalized gifts and are especially popular as nursery rugs or front-door welcome mats.

5 Step-by-Step Charts for Barbante Crochet Rugs

Crochet charts use symbols to represent each stitch, making them a universal language that transcends written instructions. If you’re new to reading charts, here’s a quick reference: a small “x” or “+” typically represents a single crochet, a “T” shape represents a half double crochet, and a taller “T” with a crossbar represents a double crochet. Slip stitches are usually shown as a small dot or dash. Chain stitches appear as small oval links.

Chart 1 — Basic Round Rug (Beginner Level)

Start with a magic ring or 4 chain stitches joined into a ring. Round 1: work 6 single crochets into the ring (6 stitches). Round 2: 2 single crochets in each stitch around (12 stitches). Round 3: alternate 1 single crochet in the next stitch, 2 single crochets in the following stitch, all the way around (18 stitches). Continue this increase pattern — adding one plain stitch between the increase stitches each round — until the rug reaches your desired diameter. Finish with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round, then fasten off and weave in ends.

The chart symbol sequence for each round reads as an expanding circle, with increase markers (shown as a “v” in most charts) placed evenly around the circumference. The spacing of those increase points is what keeps the rug lying flat rather than curling up into a bowl shape.

Chart 2 — Two-Color Striped Oval Rug (Beginner to Intermediate)

Chain 20 stitches for the foundation. Round 1: begin in the second chain from the hook, work single crochets along the chain, then work 3 single crochets into the last chain (the curved end), continue down the opposite side of the chain, and work 3 single crochets into the first chain (the other curved end). Join to the beginning. Round 2: single crochet across the long straight sections, and increase (2 single crochets in one stitch) at each end stitch within the curved sections. Continue increasing at the ends every round, working 2 rounds per color. The chart shows a symmetrical oblong shape with increase markers at the two short ends.

Chart 3 — Granny Square Module (Beginner Level)

Start with a magic ring. Round 1: chain 3, work 2 double crochets into the ring, chain 2, then repeat (3 double crochets, chain 2) three more times. Join to the top of the initial chain-3. You now have a four-sided figure with chain-2 corner spaces. Round 2: slip stitch into the corner space, chain 3, work 2 double crochets into the corner space, chain 2, then 3 double crochets back into the same corner, chain 1, then repeat at each corner. For the rug, join as many squares as needed using a flat join method (slip stitching through corresponding stitches on two squares) or a decorative raised join.

Chart 4 — Chevron Rectangle Rug (Intermediate Level)

Foundation chain: multiples of 14 stitches plus 3. Row 1: single crochet in the second chain from the hook, single crochet in the next 5 chains, then 3 single crochets into the following chain (this is the peak of the zigzag), single crochet in the next 6 chains, then skip 2 chains (this forms the valley), repeat across. At the end of each row, chain 1 and turn. The chart shows the unmistakable zigzag wave, with peak markers (represented by a cluster of 3 stitches in the same spot) and valley markers (represented by two skipped stitches) creating the rhythm of the chevron. Alternate colors every two rows for a classic striped chevron look.

Chart 5 — Mandala Round Rug (Intermediate to Advanced)

This chart is worked in the round and reads concentrically from the center outward. Start with a magic ring. Round 1: 12 double crochets. Round 2: increase in each stitch (24 stitches). Round 3: work alternating double crochet clusters and chain spaces around, creating the first decorative ring. From here, each subsequent round introduces shell stitches, popcorns, or picots at evenly spaced intervals, with chain bridges between them. The key to a mandala chart is identifying the repeat unit — usually a section of the chart spanning between two identical motifs — and understanding that this section repeats 6 or 12 times around the circle. Work each round completely before proceeding, and use stitch markers to track the beginning of each round.

Tips for a Flat, Professional-Looking Rug

One of the most common frustrations for first-time rug makers is a finished piece that cups upward instead of lying flat. Here’s how to avoid that.

First, make sure your increases are evenly distributed. In a round rug, the increase stitches need to be spread uniformly around the circle. If they cluster together, you’ll get ruffling; if there aren’t enough, you’ll get cupping. The standard formula — adding 6 increase stitches per round — works well, but individual tension varies, so don’t be afraid to adjust.

Second, your hook size matters more than you think. Going up one hook size from what the label suggests will give you a looser, flatter tension. Since rugs don’t need to hold a precise shape the way garments do, a slightly loose tension is almost always preferable.

Third, blocking makes a significant difference. When your rug is finished, wet it thoroughly with cold water, press out the excess (don’t wring), and then lay it on a flat surface to dry. If the edges are still curling, pin them flat with blocking pins or heavy books. The cotton in barbante responds very well to wet blocking and will hold its shape once dry.

Finally, if you’re making a large rug and need to join new balls of barbante mid-project, always join at the beginning of a round or row, and use the Russian join or a simple magic knot rather than weaving in the ends afterward — barbante ends have a tendency to work loose with floor use and regular washing.

How to Care for Your Barbante Crochet Rug

One of the great advantages of cotton barbante is its washability. Most rugs can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Avoid hot water, which can cause the cotton to shrink and the colors to bleed. Hang or lay flat to dry — never put a crochet rug in a dryer, as the heat and tumbling can distort the stitches and deform the shape.

For rugs used in high-traffic areas like entryways, a quick shake outside once a week keeps dust and debris from embedding into the fibers. For deeper cleaning between washes, spot-treat any stains with a diluted dish soap solution and a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly.

If your rug develops a slight musty smell from moisture — common in bathroom rugs — allow it to air out in sunlight for a few hours. The UV light is a natural