As I mentioned last week in this post, I want to try to use more of the fabric scraps I have accumulated over the years.  I have been looking around for projects that use scraps and can be something that I want to use and/or give as a gift.  Well this week I found a great scrap buster while perusing the Craftzine blog.  Granted it isn’t a new idea, I mean scrap rugs have been around for ages, but boy, does this project use up some scraps.

Here’s a picture of the finished rug from the blog Crazy Mom Quilts.

I loved this idea and decided to start my own.  First, I dug through the huge bag of scraps looking for long skinny pieces that I can cut into strips.  I also had been saving random selvages from fabrics, so those went into my pile.  Cut down the scraps to strips so they were 1/2″ to 1″ wide.  Started knotting them together and got started on the size 35 knitting needles.

First attempt, following her instructions, cast on 38 stitches with 35 needles.

Well, I was having a very hard time getting the 38 stitches to fit on my needles and the garter stitch fabric I was knitting seemed too loose for a rug.  So I ripped it and decided to start over with size 17 needles and casting on 30 stitches.  It is only a few inches long at this point, but I am liking the feel of the knit fabric with the smaller needles.  I will keep my basket of scraps by the couch and pick it up whenever I want a mindless knit.  Hopefully this will be a quick project and I can have a new rag rug bathmat.

My ball of scrap yarn, after ripping out the first attempt.