How to Crochet a Round Floral Rug With Cross-Stitch Roses
Athlyn Green is an avid crocheter and knitter. She designs and sells handcrafted goods.
Learn to Crochet a Pretty, Round Rug Worked in Single Crochet and Decorated With Roses
Have you ever wanted to crochet a round rug? There is just something so charming about this type of area rug. While there are other ways to make circular rugs, I've always thought a crocheted rug is the easiest method because you don't have to sew in any strips. I like that each row is joined to the previous row.
I'd always wanted to make a round rug and finally rolled up my sleeves and took the plunge. I did not work from a pattern and just went "free-style."
My Free-Style Design
Any crocheter knows that circles are tricky and a project of this size is even trickier. I knew it might be a challenge to get this rug to spread out flat, so before I even began, I developed the mindset that if I wanted a round crocheted rug, I had better be prepared for the difficulty of flattening it out.
I basically designed this rug as I went and was very pleased at the finished results. And I will tell you up front that I did some ripping back. Sometimes we have to work something and stand back and look at it before we decide whether it's yay or nay.
Why I Used Single Crochet for This Rug
I made this rug using single crochet for a number of reasons:
- Single crochet gives you a nice, compact, dense stitch that would wear well over time. Many crochet stitches are large and lacy-looking but would not do for rug making.
- You can fly right along with single crochet.
- I wanted to use a stitch that would serve as a background for adding flowers. For this you need a stitch that resembles squares, so you can work your flower stitches over top.
- I wanted the rows to look similar to their braided counterparts and single crochet fit the bill nicely to create this effect.
Materials List
- Skeins of 7 oz worsted medium weight acrylic yarn. Number of skeins will vary, depending on the number of strands used and the size of the finished rug. I chose a nice raspberry color for this rug but, of course, any color could be used.
- #5 or 6 crochet hook
My Yarn Choices
Many have asked me what yarn I actually used to make this rug.
• Red Heart Burgundy
• Red Heart Bone
Number of Yarn Strands
I used two yarn strands of medium-weight yarn for this rug. Here's how you can vary the strands based on your desired rug and the type of yarn you're using:
- Thicker Rug: For a thicker rug, I would suggest using 3–4 strands. A heavier rug is ideal because it retains its shape and slippage is less likely.
- Bulkier Yarn: Alternatively, one could use rug yarn or a bulky weight yarn and simply use two strands. Red Heart has a chunky yarn in Claret, for those wanting the maroon color.
Crochet Pattern for the Round Rug With Roses
This rug can be worked in a single color or created in panels of alternating colors. You can, of course make your rug as small or as large as you want.
- Row 1: Make a beginning loop, work 10 SC in the loop, close with a SS, pull yarn end to tighten loop. CH 1.
- Continue with each row using SC throughout.
- Incorporate Increases every 5-10 rows, as needed by crocheting 2 SC, 1 SC, and repeating for entire row.
- After the first 5 rows, do not CH 1 at the end of row, rather SC into this stitch and work rug in a continuous circle to eliminate a seam showing. As can be seen in the photos, doing this eliminated the seam, but there is a slight off-set. This could be camouflaged by a leaf or a small rose.
- Keep working rows until your rug is the desired size.
- End with 1 SS in last stitch. Work two more SS and tie off.
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How to Add Variegated Rows
I wanted a variegated look to my rug so I introduced cream-colored yarn but I did not cut my maroon yarn. I worked my rows switching between colors and carrying the secondary color along the back of the work, by hooking around it.
This works well for a row or two but if you plan on adding more rows of alternating colors, you will need either a yarn tainer or a homemade yarn holder because when alternating your colors, you will find your yarn twists. Tangling is a real problem. Having to stop and continually unwind tangled yarn is a waste of crafting time.
- Work 10 rows, then add one row of alternating colors
- Work another 10 rows, then work 1-2 rows of alternating colors.
- Work 20 rows, then 1-2 rows alternating colors
- Work another 20 rows, then 1 row of alternating colors and one final row worked in bone.