Directions for a Toothbrush Rug

Choose Fabric

• Use strips of smooth cotton to make the rug. Smooth 100 percent cotton is more absorbent, has less raveling and is nicer to work with. Acetate, rayon or silk will also work. You'll need approximately 12 yards of fabric to make a 2-foot by 3-foot rug. Launder the fabric so that it is clean and dry before you begin. You will also need a toothbrush rug tool that can be picked up at most craft stores for a few dollars.

Knot Fabric

• Begin with two strips of material, a base strip and a knotting strip. The base strip, also called the runner or core strip, remains straight. Attach the two strips right next to each other to a cushion with a T-pin or safety pin. Thread the toothbrush tool with the strip on the right. Hang something heavy from the strip on the left. A heavy ceramic mug or a small plastic water bottle filled with water will work. Put the threaded tool under the weighted strip and bring it up and back to the right. Run it over and through the loop made by putting it under the weighted strip and pull it tight to make the first knot. Under--up--back--through--pull. Bring the threaded tool back over the weighted strip and leave a loop. Run the tool under the weighted strip, back through the loop and pull tight. Over--under--back--through--pull.

Close the Circle

• Close the circle after the sixth knot. Continue with the same knotting technique, but bring the strips back around to make the center of the rug. Run the threaded tool through the sixth knot before putting it around the weighted strip and back through the loop. Continue knotting and attaching the new row to the adjoining row. Bring the strips around to make an oval, putting the threaded tool through the corresponding knot in the adjoining row. Make one extra knot with the two strips in between the stitches attaching the rows. Adjust how often you make the extra knot to make the rug weave looser or tighter. Add lengths of fabric by tying the end of one strip to the next. Make the rug multicolored by tying different colored strips together.