Big Stitch Crocheted Alpaca Rugs!

Just about this time each year, our old drafty home begs for super cozy area rugs.  Each time I step out of bed I think of how happy my feet would be if they landed on a soft, lofty rug, and each time my daughter and I read books in front of the fireplace I think of how nice it would be to have the warmth and comfort of something hand made beneath us.  I've been determined to make these rugs myself for years, but only if I could find the super bulky and natural yarn I was seeing in my mind.  Imagine my excitement when we found the perfect yarn for my fantasy rugs!  Our Big Stitch Alpaca Yarn creates the softest, loftiest rug your lucky toes will ever step on.

The Big Stitch Alpaca Yarn is grown and handcrafted in the USA. The Alpaca that makes up 70% of this amazing yarn is gathered by hand from fiber shed naturally by the Alpacas and then spun together with 15% wool and 15% nylon by a tiny mill in Ohio.  Each skein is called a "bump" and is approximately 140 yards long. 

Two bumps will make the small gray rug pictured above (approximately 42-inches across) and four make the large rug (approximately 70-inches across).  

Enjoy!  -- Page

 

The Materials

• Small Rug: 2 skeins of Big Stitch Alpaca Yarn in color of your choice (we used Grey); Large Rug: 4 skeins of Big Stitch Alpaca Yarn in color of your choice (we used Cream).
• A size S crochet hook (We used the beautiful handmade wooden size S hook pictured below which you can find here; We also stock a plastic hook size S hook that you can find here)
• A removable stich marker.

Gauge 

2.25 stitches = 4 inches

Finished Sizes

Small Rug is approximately 42-inches in diameter
Large Rug is approximately 70-inches in diameter

The Pattern

If this pattern seems familiar to you then perhaps you've made our fruity trivets and pot holders? We think it's pretty wonderful that the same pattern can create two such different projects!  If you need a bit more help getting started on your rug than we've included below, please check out the fruity trivets post for how-to photos and more detail.

Pattern Note: Pull yarn from the center of the skein for ease of use.

• Chain 6 and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring.
• Round 1: Make 12 single crochets (sc) into the ring.  Note: Mark the first stitch of the next round with a removable marker. Reposition the marker at the beginning of each round to mark the new first stitch.
• Round 2: *1 sc into next stitch, 2 sc into next stitch, repeat from * to end of round. (18 stitches)
• Round 3: *1 sc into next 2 stitches, 2 sc into next stitch, repeat from * to end of round. (24 stitches)
• Round 4: *1 sc into next 3 stitches, 2 sc into next stitch, repeat from * to end of round. (30 stitches)
• Continue to work in this pattern, each round adding one stitch between the increases until you have used all of the yarn.  

Sew in ends and enjoy! 

(Find the beautiful handmade oversized finishing needle pictured below right here).

Comments

[Tan]

Fabulous!! Will most definitely be taking on this project. The yarn looks great.. but would you have a suggestion for a similar yarn with more colors in the range?

[amanda makes]

Your projects are just getting better and better. If I'm lucky enough to ever visit the Big Apple I will need an empty suitcase and an extra day! xxx

[Carol Busseau]

I have a pattern for chair pads knitting an I-cord and I think it would translate to this pattern nicely. What would be an equivalent knitting needle size to an S crochet hook? the yarn looks so yummy!

[June]

I don't know how to crochet, but could I knit a rectangular rug with this yarn....and what size knitting needles should be used?

Thanks!

[Anne]

Stunning; the kind of thing I will have in my house when in that little window between when all my children have exited the nest and before they start bring grand babies in.

[purl bee]

HI June and Carol-

You can use a size 36 knitting needle, or if you're a tight knitter, maybe a size 50.

Here is a link to our size 36s: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8-Skacel-Addi-Turbo-Circular-Needles

And we are getting size 50s in soon. If you'd like to be emailed when they come in please drop us a line to customerservice@purlsoho.com

Thanks for the questions!

- Molly

[Carol]

These are scrumptious....how do I care for them?
I have dogs :)

[purl bee]

Hi Carol-

These are not machine washable but they can be spot cleaned.

Thank you for your question- Molly

[Celine]

I really love this project! Do you know if there are stockists of this wool in the UK? Thanks in advance

[purl bee]

HI Celine-

We can ship the wool to you in the UK, We do international shipping all the time! You can see all of our international shipping info here: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/shop/shipping

Thanks for your question!- Molly

[Sarah P.]

I was wondering if the rug once made is washable? I have a toddler who has allergies and needs things washed frequently to alleviate symptoms.

[purl bee]

Hi Sarah-

It is not machine washable but it can be spot cleaned.

Thank you for your question- Molly

[Divya]

Good work. This looks amazing. I would love to make this in near future., :)

[Diane]

Any success with the knit version of this rug. Could you tell me if it will be round or rectangle ? Thank you..

[Tiffany]

Any word of the knit version of this project? Greatly looking forward to it! Thanks

[purl bee]

Hi Tiffany-

It's still coming, just taking a bit longer than anticipated. Sorry for the holdup!

Molly

[Mamma J]

OMG! OMG! Perfect for my little "Faux" log cabin (well it will be one day lol) and vintage furniture...I did notice that the skeins are a bit expensive though...are there options that may be slightly cheaper? Thanks and keep up the great crochet patterns!

[purl bee]

Hi Mamma J-

Unfortunately we don't carry anything less expensive that is nearly this thick or durable. But thank you so much for your nice question and comment.
- Molly

[Linda Hernandez]

I would like to make the rectangular rug I saw last time on your website. I think it requiresfour bumps--not sure.

I'd prefer to make it in the cream color; when will you have the cream? Thank you.

[purl bee]

Hi Linda-

The rectangular rug (which is knit, not crocheted) can be found here: http://purlbee.squarespace.com/big-stitch-knit-rug/

If you'd like to be notified when the cream color comes back in stock please email us at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com and we'll be sure to let you know.

Thank you so much for writing in!

Molly

[clare]

I just want to lay on it!
I'm not a "crochet-er" by any means but this rug is absolutely gerogeous. I was wondering if you think this would be too much of a daunting task for someone learning to crochet?

[purl bee]

Hello Clare. I think you could totally handle it! Maybe check out this book (http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/213-TNNA-How-to-Crochet ) for some helpful instructions and diagrams. Let us know how it goes! -Laura

[Diane]

You do not advise machine washing, only spot cleaning. Looking at the fiber blend, I would assume a cold water / delicate cycle in a triple loading machine would work. It would then need to be "blocked" to dry - in the same manner as one carefully blocks a sweater. I have washed many Amish rag rugs as well as my own woolen hand crocheted this way. I too like a thoroughly clean rug! If your advice comes from the manufacturer's label "Dry Clean Only", may I ignore that? The way I ignore the same label in a silk blouse? Could we "wash at our own risk" in your educated, and much valued opinion? Caveat emptor: the rug may shrink a bit if washed, so factor that into your gauge, anticipated rug size and skein count.

[purl bee]

Hi Diane, Please wash at your own risk! And then tell us all about it. We are curious to see how this yarn would respond to machine washing. -Laura

[Jenny]

I was wondering if this yarn would fall into a bulky or super bulky category? I am trying to find a substitute yarn, because I can't afford the one used here. Any hints, tips, or suggestions are greatly appreciated. This rug is absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to make one!

[purl bee]

Hi Jenny. This is more of a super bulky yarn than a bulky. You can see our other bulky yarns here: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?filters[]=8

Hope you find something you like! -Laura

[Monica]

Ok full disclosure I am not using your yarn, just the pattern. I'm actually using fabric strips. The stitch increases are creating a sort of seam so the rug doesn't look entirely round, it looks like there are sides. Almost like I'm creating these upside down triangles, and each increase stitch is making the triangle get bigger and bigger. I'm up to 18 single stitches. Do you think its just because of the material I'm using?

[purl bee]

Hi Monica-

It sounds like you're doing it correctly. The increases do create a wedge shape as you describe but it ends up looking round because the material is so soft.

I'm sure yours will look beautiful, if a bit more angular!

Thank you for your question!

Molly

[Alice]

I enjoyed your instructions for the round and the rectange rug. Do you have instructions for an oval rug, that would be great!

~Alice

[purl bee]

Hi Alice-

No plans for an oval rug yet but thanks for the suggestion and for writing in!

Best-

Molly

[Kathy]

Does anyone know anything about extreme crocheting. It's done with 5 skeins of yarn at a time using a P crochet hook. Looking for books or web sites for more information. Any information on this will be appreciated.

[Ljknits]

I crocheted a rectangular version with this yarn and really didn't love the appearance so I took it apart and the big bump became a ball that decorated and was a conversation piece in my studio for more than a year. I just remade it this past week as a circular rug and it looks amazing. It is so soft under my feet. It only took me a couple of hours to crochet and one bump produced a circle about 30" round. I plan to block it so am hoping it will stretch. It really is a great yarn for rugs.

[andrea]

i saw someone wrote they need to find cheaper yarn, well you can use old cut up tshirts, dye them the color you like and use them to make this rug.on the internet are many ways to show you how to cut the tshirts and make a ball of yarn with it.
happy crafting:)

[Sarah]

Unfortunately my rug keeps trying to be a cone instead. How can I fix this?

[beverly meade]

I have used this yarn for some time ..yes it can be washed we use all alpaca so only soak it in the washer and then spin it or wash it in the tub ..it realy helps the sheding