Strips of fabric instead of wool yarn. That is the idea behind a rag rug, and it is exactly how these cotton kilims are woven. Both designs here have fringed ends and lie completely flat. One is striped and made from recycled yarn. The other comes in a single plain colour.
How Rag Rugs Are Woven
Leftover fabric is cut into strips and woven in as the weft. That makes the weave firm and the surface slightly irregular, so every piece ends up with a little character of its own. Rag rugs are an old-fashioned idea, really. Scraps become something useful again, and on the striped design the yarn is 100% recycled cotton.
With no raised pile, a rag rug belongs to the family of flat weave rugs. It is thin. It rolls up in seconds, and for cleaning you simply take it outside and give it a good shake.
There is plenty of colour choice. A blue rag rug feels calm in a bedroom, while a green one picks up the leaves of your houseplants. Yellow and orange are available too, along with several shades of grey and beige. Multicoloured patterns are not part of the range, since each design sticks to one main tone.
Sizes and Rooms
Some pointers for placing one:
- A rag rug runner for the hallway, up to 80 x 500 cm, with 10–20 cm of floor left free at each end
- One of the small sizes beside the bed
- A large rag rug of 200 x 290 cm in the lounge, with the front feet of sofa and armchairs resting on it
- A round version from Ø 60 to Ø 200 cm under the dining table
Under a dining table, the circle should reach about 60 cm beyond the table edge all round. Chairs then stay on the rug when you push them back. Round versions only come in the plain design. More sizes for the lounge are gathered under rugs for the living room.
Fringes and stripes go well with rattan furniture and lots of plants. If that sounds like your home, have a look at our boho rug range. Other flatweaves in the same material sit among the cotton rugs. Want something softer underfoot? A low pile rug or a wool rug would suit you better.
Frequently asked questions
Is a rag rug the same as a patchwork rug?
Not quite. Patchwork means finished pieces of fabric sewn together. Here the strips are woven in, so you get one continuous flat weave.
Do they all have fringes?
Yes. Both designs are finished with fringes at the short ends.
