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Braided rug making instructions: use those old fabric scraps!

Materials Needed

In order to create your own braided rag rug, you will need only a few supplies. The most important of these supplies is a variety of leftover scrap material. The scraps can be of any type and any pattern. The only requirement is that the scraps must measure at least two inches wide. Scraps wider than two inches should be cut into two inch strips and set aside for easy use. For those who don’t have many scraps, I suggest checking with area thrift stores before purchasing new fabric. Often, scraps are donated and can be bought for very little cash. You will also need thread in either a clear nylon or a color to match the general mood of the fabrics chosen, and a thick, sturdy needle (a curved upholstery needle works best, but any thick needle will work).

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A new hobby of mine is dying yarn. You can easily dye wool with kool-aid or food coloring. In this video I'm using kool-aid.

Step 1. Put 1 to 2 inches of luke warm water in your crock pot and a "glug" of vinegar. Place your skein of yarn in the crock pot.

Step 2. Turn the crock on high and cover. Leave it until steam it starts steaming, try not to let it boil. That could cause it to felt.

Step 3. Place kool-aid into a heat proof container. I like measuring cups, they are easiest to pour from. Cover with about 1/2 a cup of boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Let the kool-aid cool until close in temperature to the yarn.

Step 4. Pour the coloring on top of the yarn in the pattern you like. They will mix a little were they touch. The more dye/liquid you have in the crock the more likely they are to mix together.

Step 5. Turn the crock down to low and cover. Leave it until the yarn has absorbed all the dye and the water is clear.

Step 6. Turn off the heat and let yarn cool completely.

Step 7. Remove yarn and rinse well, until the water rinses clear. Step 8. Drain and gently press out as much water in the sink as you can. Lay yarn on a towel, roll up and press out the rest of the water. Hang to dry.

This is a great site to check out to learn more about color mixing.
http://www.spindleandwheel.com/conten...

We use almost all cast iron pans and pots now. Wouldn't go back. We show how to maintain them and there advantages.

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