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serger scraps rag rugs

dotty | Posted in Knitting and Crochet on

I knitted up a small sample from some serger scraps. It was beautiful. I used size 9 needles and very skinny scraps (1/4″) but most lengths were too short. I can’t see being crazy enough to sew them together. Has anyone out there done any knitting with fabric scraps? I’ve got lots of questions. I imagine using bias scraps woud make the fabric softer, but I can’t imagine doing all that cutting! What could one make besides rugs? I laundered the scrap and was surprised at how little it frayed . I was expecting it to be like those layered and cut chenille things.

Replies

  1. fabricholic | | #1

    On America Quilts Creatively they knitted a purse using fabric scraps.

    1. dotty | | #3

      A purse would be good because the fabric is dense and a little stiffer and heavier than you'd want for garments.

      1. fabricholic | | #4

        I couldn't find the directions on the America Quilts Creatively, but here is a website that sells the kits. I will keep looking.
        http://www.cranstonvillage.com/interest/intFeatDetailCol.aspx?id=1734Marcy

        1. MaryinColorado | | #5

          Another thought.  Rather than cutting it yourself, why not let the serger do the work for you?  Just premark the fabric diagonally with chalk...hmmm?

          1. fabricholic | | #6

            Yes, that is what Dotty was talking about to begin with, because she has all of these serger scraps. She wanted to do this, I just suggested the purse. I saw it on Sue Hausman's show.

          2. dotty | | #7

            Thanks for that link. It includes directions for the purses. I'm probably just going to wing it as I create the scraps. I like the idea of knitting a few rows now and then as I make scraps that seem to go with what I've already got.I guess I'll start sorting them by width too(uh oh more excuses to not break my pack rat habits).The directions on the link say to sew, glue or tie the pieces together. What do you all think?

          3. fabricholic | | #8

            Hello fellow pack ratter. It wouldn't take that long to stitch it up, would it? I might tie it, but I just don't like glue for that.Marcy

          4. dotty | | #9

            I agree about the glue. Sewing would probably be best, but the scraps are so skinny (1/4") that I could see them getting sucked into a tangled mess through the bobbin hole. I suppose I could put some sort of stabilizer underneath but that begins to sound way too fiddley for a not major project thats supposed to be of the cheapo spontanious variety. Maybe its time to rid myself of the knitters predudice against knots?

          5. fabricholic | | #10

            It is starting to sound more like a chore.Marcy

          6. dotty | | #11

            yes. just what I'm trying to avoid.

          7. dotty | | #12

            I found out a little (but not much) by googling knitting with fabric. Does anyone have any other bright ideas for how to phrase my search? Coming up with the right choice of words helps tons.

          8. fabricholic | | #14
          9. User avater
            Becky-book | | #15

            My book of rag rug patterns had a trick for joining that uses a slit in both ends, but if the width is only 1/4 inch there is not much room for cutting!

            What about making all the changes at the edge?

            Or knit to within a couple inches of the end of your strip, drop that one to the wrong side and begin to knit with a new strip leaving a couple inches on the wrong side; come back later and tie or weave the loose ends into the work.

            Becky

          10. dotty | | #16

            What's the book? Did you mean your book as in you wrote it or your book as in you own it? This could be just what I'm looking for!

          11. User avater
            Becky-book | | #17

            It is more of a booklet actually...

            Leisure Arts leaflet # 2258 More Fabric Rugs by Betty Scharf

            and you might consider looking at Simplicity's Rag Crochet Crafts (another leaflet)

            I bought them years ago so I don't know if they are still readily available.

            B

          12. dotty | | #18

            Thanks- I'll look around.

          13. grammysgirl | | #19

            Hi Mary, I Luuuuuve your idea for making strips on the serger! I am waiting for my new serger and off I'll go!    Thanks Terri

          14. MaryinColorado | | #20

            Thanks.  Congrats on your new serger!  You will love the serger!  Sew many creative ways to play with it!  You can make your own ribbons for hat bands and trims too.  Have fun!  Mary

  2. MaryinColorado | | #2

    Thyis is a very interesting topic!  My grandmother used to make rag rugs.  I have allway thought it would be fun to do, just haven't gotten a round tuit yet.  Mary

    1. jessicawatson | | #21

      Beautiful Rug Image

      Just look the beautiful rugs that I have seen on some where and get for my Home because such kind of rugs are prepared from well expereinced craftsmen...

      View Image

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