Here is a basic rag rug pattern. It is an oval and approximately 2' x 3'
(depending on your guage and the size strips you decide to use. This is a
personal preference - the larger the fabric strip the thicker the rug and
the faster it works up. I use from 1 1/2" - 2 1/2" strips...mostly 2".
However, some use up to 4 inch wide strips.

I use cotton, but you could use wool if you liked. It would need to be more
like 3/4" strips though. You can use most anything: old clothes, sheets,
scrap material or buy new fabric. Even flannel sheets or pajamas. Flannel
makes a nice soft, but sturdy rug.

Buying new fabric is a pretty costly way to make a rug though. I have bought
$1.00/yd material from Wal Mart to use, but love to find material or sheets
at yard sales or thrift stores. A new twin sheet that can be bought from Wal
mart for $3.50-$4.00 is about the same as the $1.00/yd fabric because it
yeilds approx. 4 yds. (4 yds = 1 pound) You might check out your area to see
if you have a store that sells fabric by the pound. There is a little store
where I live and the lady there sells seconds, irregular or end of the bolt
fabric for $2.40/pound.

It takes about 4 pounds or 16 yards of fabric to make this rug.

You can rip the fabric into strips (I do) or use a rotary cutter and mat.

Some sew their strips together using the bias method (UGH) or use this
"Connect as you go" method (this is what I do).
To join fabric strips using this method:

1. Cut a 1/2" slit about 1/4" from the ends of both strips.
2. With right sides up, place end of new strip over end of working strip and
match slits.
3. Pull free end of new strip through both slits from bottom to top.
4. Pull new strip firmly to form a small knot. Right sides of both strips
should be facing up. Continue working with new strip.

Just want to note that this is not the oval rug pattern I usually use and
haven't actually worked this one yet. I do not have the specific material
requirements for the one I usually use and knew you would want to know that.
This one is done in half dbl crochet & dbl crochet where the one I've used
is strictly double crochet. I'm sure this one will work
out just as well. I intend to try this one right away also.

I hope I typed this correctly. Also, I typed this with spaces between
paragraphs and Rounds, but when I view my draft...it's all compressed
together. If it
looks that way when I email it, I apologize. I know that will make it more
difficult to follow. If anyone can tell me another way to send it, I'm open
to
suggestions.
Gina P.

Finally, here is the pattern! Use your beloved "Q" Hook.
Ch 14 loosely.
Rnd 1: (Right Side); 2 hdc in third ch from hook, hdc in next 10 chs, 6 hdc
in last ch; working in free loops (front loops) of beg ch, hdc in next 10
chs, 3 hdc in next ch; join with slip st to top of beg ch: 32 sts
Now work the back loops throughout.

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout), dc in same st, 2 dc in
each of next 2 hdc, dc in next 10 hdc, 2 dc in each of next 6 hdc, dc in
next 10 hdc, 2 dc in each of next 3 hdc; join with slip st to first dc: 44
dc

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same st and in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc,
2 dc in next dc, dc in next 11 dc, 2 dc in nex dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in
next dc) 5 times, dc in next 11 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) 3
times; join with slip st to first dc: 56 dc

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st and in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next
dc, 2 dc in next dc) twice, dc in next 13 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next
dc, 2 dc in next dc) 7 times, dc in next 13 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next
dc) 4 times; join with slip st to first dc: 72 dc

Round 5: Ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in
next dc) 3 times, dc in next 10 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in
next dc) 3 times, dc in next 10 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in
next dc)3 times, dc in next 12 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in
next dc) 3 times, dc in next 10 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in
next dc) 3 times, dc in next 6 dc; join with slip st to first dc: 88 dc

Round 6: Ch 3, dc in same st and in next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next
dc, 2 dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in next 13 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next
dc, 2 dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in next 17 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next
dc, 2 dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in next 13 dc, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next
dc, 2 dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in next 9 dc; join with slip st to first
dc: 105 dc

Round 7: Ch 3, dc in same st, skip next 2 dc, *slip st in next dc, ch 3, dc
in same st, skip next 2 dc; repeat from * around; join with slip st at base
of beg ch-3, finish off.