Making rugs is a perfect way to recycle various textiles, from shower curtains and jeans to tracksuits and T-shirts. While using old clothaes for a project is great for sustainability, it can present practical challenges. One of these challenges is related to yarn quantity. We can only get the amount of yarn that a specific garment yields. This is why rugs often come in patterns that accommodate color compilations, and this is why I think you may find “Tips for Color Compilations to Turn Textiles into Beautiful Rugs” useful.
In “Tips for Color Compilations to Turn Textiles into Beautiful Rugs,” I share guidelines I’ve learned—often the hard way, by undoing pieces. Currently, this advice is specific to crocheted T-shirt rugs in straight lines, but it is applicable to any textile threads used. If you’re into crocheting T-shirt rugs, I believe you’ll find these tips useful.
Tips for Color Compilations to Turn Textiles into Beautiful Rugs- Part A: Crocheted T-Shirt Rugs
1. The color is more intense in single crochet back-side rows.
In every crochet stitch, there is a front (right) side and a back (wrong) side. In single crochet, the front side looks like a series of V-shapes, while the back side resembles a row of knots.
Most T-shirt rugs are crocheted in rows using a single crochet stitch, alternating between front-side and back-side rows until you reach the desired height. Note that the colors in the back-side rows appear more prominent because the knots protrude more than the V-shapes. This detail can be helpful when planning your color pattern, especially if you intend to use only one side of the rug.
2. An even number of rows in each repetition gives a symmetrical overall result.
This tip is particularly useful when creating a repetitive pattern with several consecutive color rows. When the number of rows is even, the pattern will look consistent across all repetitions. Since you’re crocheting in pairs of front and back rows, an even number of rows ensures that the same colors will be in the back rows—hence highlighted. Similarly, the same colors will appear in the front rows and be more discreet. This results in the whole project being symmetrical. Have a look at these two photos, showing the two sides of the same rug.
If you create a color pattern with an odd number of rows (e.g., three, five, or seven rows), the pattern will have a twist, making the second repetition look different from the first. Of course, this alternating effect is perfectly fine if it’s your intention.
3. Use yarn balls to preview the color compilation.
Arrange your yarn balls in a line for the first and second repetitions. Use one yarn ball or a small piece of yarn for each row, and place them in the order you plan to crochet them. This will give you a visual preview of the overall result, allowing you to rearrange colors to your liking. Placing the second repetition will also help you see if the transition between repetitions is smooth and visually pleasing.
Take a photo of your color pattern for reference while crocheting. Alternatively, if you’re using small pieces of yarn, you can stick them in order with tape to keep your pattern organized, especially if you’re working with many colors.
4. Check quantities and make adjustments if needed.
If your measurements show that you don’t have enough yarn for a particular color, here are two easy options:
- Add two new colors to your compilation and rearrange the yarn balls to see if the new combination works.
- Modify part of the color compilation. For example, if one color yields fewer rows, substitute it with a new color in the next pattern repetition. You can alternate between these two pattern repetitions or take it further by adding a third color and making another substitution in the third repetition. You might even introduce a completely new color in each repetition. If you plan to change one color in each pattern, creating a small reference pattern with yarn pieces can be helpful.
Learn more about how to check the quantity of each color yarn for a project in “Estimating T-shirt Yarn Quantity- A Proposal and Case Studies”.
5. When in doubt, make a sample piece
If you are not sure about the color arrangements, a sample piece will help you visualize the finished item. Use scraps of your color yarns to make a 10 stitch sample. Complete the 1st repetition and start the 2nd one to see if the transition works well.
6. For multiple colors, group them strategically..
When I made this rug with many leftover color yarns, I wanted to ensure they would be placed nicely, resulting in a symmetrical color pattern. I divided the yarns into three basic groups:
- The grays (I had so many shades of gray!)
- The blues
- The colors that looked nice for the project but didn’t belong to either group, like white, black, and some pastels
First, I arranged the grays from lightest to darkest. I then did the opposite with the blues, going from darkest to lightest. To balance the number of colors in the groups, I assigned yarns from the third group wherever they seemed to fit best.
The result was quite symmetrical, except in the center, where I intentionally mixed the colors to showcase the stitches in photos. Despite this, I’m happy with the rest of the rug and strongly recommend this approach: when using many colors, arrange one color group from lightest to darkest and the other from darkest to lightest. Try to include the same amount of yarn colors in each group and alternate between the two for the final compilation.
Conclusion
Using many colors in a rug can make it vibrant and playful. With the right color palette, your rug can become a statement piece in any space. Planning your color arrangement beforehand will help you achieve a beautiful final result.
I hope that “Tips for Color Compilations to Turn Textiles into Beautiful Rugs” has helped you make mindful decisions when arranging your preferred colors to create a rug you’ll love. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these tips and any other tips you might have.
