Creating A Latch Hook T-Shirt Rug: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making a latch hook rug is a fun and creative way to upcycle old t-shirts. The process is simple: cut the t-shirts into strips, latch them onto a rug canvas using a hook tool, and finish by stitching the edges. The result is a soft, durable, and machine-washable rug. While it can be time-consuming, the latch hook technique is easy to learn and highly rewarding. So, gather your supplies, choose a pattern or design, and get ready to create a unique and cosy addition to your home!

Choosing the right latch hook tool

Comfort Grip:

Start by choosing a latch hook tool with a comfort grip. This feature will make a significant difference in your crafting experience, especially if you plan to work on your rug for extended periods. A comfort grip will reduce hand fatigue and make the process more enjoyable.

Ergonomic Design:

Look for a latch hook tool with an ergonomic design. This means that the tool should fit comfortably in your hand and reduce strain on your wrists and fingers. A good ergonomic latch hook will have a curved or angled handle that aligns with the natural position of your hand when hooking.

High-Quality Materials:

Invest in a latch hook tool made from high-quality materials, such as durable metal or sturdy plastic. Avoid cheap wooden-handled latch hooks, as they may not provide the same level of comfort and durability. A well-made latch hook will ensure that you can work efficiently and won't need to be replaced halfway through your project.

Smooth Mechanism:

Test the latch hook mechanism before purchasing to ensure it opens and closes smoothly. A good latch hook should have a secure latch that holds the yarn in place without slipping, but it should also be easy to open when needed. A smooth mechanism will make your rug-making process faster and less frustrating.

Size and Length:

Consider the size and length of the latch hook tool. You'll want something that feels comfortable in your hand and has a length that allows you to reach the canvas easily. If you have smaller hands, a shorter hook might be more manageable, while larger hands might prefer a longer hook for better control.

Reviews and Recommendations:

Before purchasing a latch hook tool, read reviews from other crafters who have used similar tools. Look for feedback on comfort, durability, and ease of use. Ask fellow crafters for their recommendations, especially if they have experience making t-shirt rugs. Their insights can help you make an informed decision.

Remember, the latch hook tool is an essential component of your t-shirt rug project, so it's worth investing in a quality tool that will make the process more enjoyable and efficient. Happy crafting!

Cutting the t-shirts

Before you start cutting the t-shirts, make sure they are clean. Stains are not an issue, but you want to ensure there will be no shrinkage later.

Use a rotary cutter, sharp scissors, or a cutting mat and cutting ruler to cut off the collar and hem areas. It is easiest to do this with the shirt inside out. Cut along any seams—shoulders, sleeves, and sides. The direction you cut your strips will matter. Cut the shirts so that the long side of each piece runs up and down the shirt, not sideways, to avoid stretch.

Decide how long to cut each piece. For a cushy rug, I decided on one-half-inch by four-inch strips. Whatever you decide, check one or two strips on the canvas before you cut too much. If they are too bulky (wide) to fit in the canvas, adjust the size. If they are too narrow and break, adjust the size. If they are too long or too short, adjust the size.

Lay the shirt flat on your cutting board. The shirt is still two layers (the front and the back) and you can usually fold up the bottom edge of the shirt so it fits on your cutting board. Cut it into half-inch strips. Then, cut the strips into four-inch pieces. If you are using scissors, you will probably be cutting one layer at a time. Cut from the top to the bottom in half-inch increments. The rotary cutter makes straight strips very quickly. Then, turn the board and cut each strip to four-inch pieces. This part can also be done easily with scissors. If a few strips are a little too short or too long, it will not matter.

Different-sized t-shirts will provide different amounts of strips. Write down a rough count of how many strips each t-shirt provides. You’ll want to know this later, so you know when to stop cutting up shirts. Make sure to cut extra strips!

Dyeing the T-Shirts

If you are dyeing the t-shirts, this is the hardest part of the project. For a large latch-hook t-shirt rug, you’ll need about 80 large to extra-large t-shirts and approximately 14,000 one-inch by four-inch strips.

On your self-healing cutting mat, lay out a shirt. Begin by cutting off the neck hole and sleeves. Using your ruler and rotary cutter, cut off the shirt’s bottom hem and the two sides. This will give you nice straight edges to work with. Starting at the bottom of the shirt, cut one-inch strips across to the neckline.

After that, turn your ruler 90 degrees and cut every four inches. Cut off and discard any extra scraps.

Cutting T-Shirts for a No-Sew Rug

For a no-sew rug, you will need a hand towel and a tailor's chalk, water-soluble marker, or even a pencil to make marks along the towel in one-inch increments. Make the lines vertically from the long side to the long side of the towel. Make sure you can see the lines you made because they are critical to making the rug. Lay out your t-shirts on a cutting mat. Use a ruler and a rotary cutter to cut strips of t-shirt fabric that are one inch by four inches. I recommend cutting all of the strips you will need before you start sewing (do not use the parts of the t-shirt that have designs on them).

Dyeing the t-shirts

Step 1: Sorting and Preparing the T-shirts

Before dyeing, sort through your T-shirts and select those that are suitable for the project. Old T-shirts with frayed collars, holes, or stains can be used, as long as they are clean. Consider the colours and sizes of the T-shirts—light-coloured shirts, such as white T-shirts, will be ideal for dyeing, and larger shirts will provide more fabric to work with.

Step 2: Cutting the T-shirts into Strips

Using a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat, cut the T-shirts into strips. First, remove the collar, hem, sleeves, and any printed areas. Then, cut the T-shirts into 1" x 4" strips. The direction of the cut matters—cut the strips so that the long side runs up and down the shirt to prevent stretching. The number of strips needed will depend on the size of the rug, so it is recommended to cut extra strips.

Step 3: Mixing and Soaking the Strips

Once all the T-shirts are cut into strips, mix them together to ensure an even distribution of colours, textures, and fabrics. Then, soak the strips in hot water to prepare them for dyeing. This step will open up the fibres and allow the dye to penetrate more effectively.

Step 4: Dyeing the Strips

Follow the instructions on the fabric dye package to determine the correct ratio of fabric to dye. Weigh the T-shirt strips and place them into plastic bags. Use a washing machine or a large tub to dye the fabric, ensuring that the dye is thoroughly mixed and distributed. Rit-Dye's colour formula chart can be used to create custom shades by mixing different dye colours.

Step 5: Drying and Finalising the Strips

After dyeing, dry the T-shirt strips in a clothes dryer to set the fabric dye. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the colour does not bleed or fade. Once dry, remove any strips that did not take the dye properly or curled differently. Mix all the remaining strips together, and your dyed T-shirt strips are now ready to be used for your latch-hook rug!

Latch hooking the rug

Once the strips are cut, it's time to start latch hooking them onto the rug canvas. The canvas should be a few inches larger than the desired finished size of the rug. Fold over the edges of the canvas by about an inch, and then start hooking the strips through the holes in the canvas. The latch hook tool will have an actual latch that opens and closes as you pull it through the canvas. Place the middle of a fabric strip around the hook, and then pull the tool back through the hole, so the hook closes around the fabric. Pull the strip halfway through the hole, and then pull the ends of the strip to tighten it in place.

Continue this process, following a pattern or design of your choice, until the entire canvas is covered in hooked strips. It's important to leave at least an inch of unhooked canvas around the edges of the rug, as this area will be used to finish the rug.

Finally, finish the edges of the rug by folding over the rug canvas at the edge of the hooking, and stitching it down to the backside of the rug. This will help to keep the edges of the rug from unraveling.

Finishing the rug

Fold and Stitch the Edges:

• Fold over the rug canvas at the very edge of the hooked area. The canvas is dry and brittle, so be careful when bending it. Get the fold as close to the hooked yarn as possible.
• Use a threaded yarn needle to stitch down the empty canvas to the backside of the rug. These stitches don't need to be neat, but they should keep the fold in place.
• When you reach a corner, trim away the excess canvas to create triangular flaps, similar to wrapping a present. Fold the next flap over, trim it at an angle, and stitch it to the previous flap. This will help create flat corners.
• Continue working your way around the rug, stitching and trimming each flap.

Optional: Whip Stitch the Edges

If desired, you can whip stitch around the entire edge of the rug. This will hide any visible canvas and imperfections.

Make Your Rug Non-Slip:

• Purchase a non-slip rug pad and place it under your rug. However, this may not be very effective if you have pets.
• Alternatively, you can stitch the rug pad to the backside of your rug using yarn and a needle. This will keep the rug pad flat and prevent bulges. You can also whip stitch the edges and attach the rug pad simultaneously.
• For a quicker but more expensive option, brush a Non-Skid Backing onto the backside of the rug. This contains ammonia, so use it in a well-ventilated area.

Aftercare and Cleaning:

• Latch hook rugs can be spot cleaned by hand or with a wide-toothed comb. You can also vacuum the rug with the beater bar turned off or use a hose attachment.
• For a deeper clean, fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and a small amount of soap. Soak the rug, swish it around, and drain the tub. Repeat this process with clean water until all soap residue is removed.
• If you have a washing machine without an agitator, you can machine wash your rug. Using a Non-Skid Backing first will help the rug hold together.
• Air dry your rug after cleaning. Do not put it in the dryer.

Your latch hook t-shirt rug is now complete and ready to use!

Frequently asked questions