If you can weave rag rugs, you can also knit them. Tearing gives a softer appearance than if you cut. No matter what you do, the result will be rough and sturdy.
An old duvet cover or two sheets, totalling about 90g (31⁄4oz) of fabric
1 worn out pair of jeans, adult size
Zip 50cm (20in)
7mm (size 10) needles
The rags should be 8–10mm (1⁄4–1⁄2in) wide. Tear the rags lengthwise from the sheet. If you turn at the ends there will be fewer joins in the pillow, but then it is wise to hide the joins around the stitches around the “yarn”.
When you have to join the ends, slope the ends of the rags about 10cm (4in)and lay them on top of each other.
CO 54 sts. Knit k back and forth until it measures 70cm (28in). Cast (bind) off.
Back:
Make the back piece out of something durable, such as an old pair of jeans. Cut off the legs but make sure that they measure at least 72cm (281⁄2in) in length including the folded edge at the bottom. You may keep this as a characteristic detail. Cut up the insides of the legs and cut off the seams. Keep the seam on the outside. Press (iron) the fabric and cut them so they all have the same thread direction.
Sew the zip as described in Good Advice.
Cut the back piece so that it measures 54 x 72cm (211⁄4 × 281⁄2in) and overstitch around.
Assembly:
Sew in all loose ends. Use a crochet hook to push any undesirable joins to the backs of the work.
Cut out one of the back pockets of the jeans. Leave approximately 1cm (3⁄8in) of fabric outside the edge. Sew a heart with red thread; here it is done using a sewing machine. Remove the feed dog and lead the fabric back and forth. When you draw with paper and pencil, the pencil is the one moving, while when you embroider on a machine you have to move the fabric.
Make it a little rough and sew a few hearts on top of each other.
Fold in the edges of the pocket, pin to the front piece and make a small overstitch.
Fold in 2cm (3⁄4in) along the edge on the back piece, except for the side that has the fold and seam. In the corners, fold in the tip first. Press (iron) then place front and back pieces right sides together, pin and sew a small overstitch by hand.
