What is an Amish toothbrush rug?

Amish Knot or ‘Toothbrush’ rugs originate in America – named because the tool used as the needle was often a wooden toothbrush with the brush part cut off. They came with a hole at the end of the handle which made a useful eye for the needle.

What is a toothbrush rug?

The rug begins with a braided center strip, but instead of rows of braids sewn together, the rows are interconnecting stitches made with strips of material as in a crocheted rug. However, a needle made from a toothbrush is used instead of a crochet hook.

How do you make a basket out of a rug?

Instructions:

1. Cut out the tassels on either sides of the rug.
2. Cut the rug length-ways using one of the stripes as a guideline.
3. Fold the rug in half and be sure that the right sides are facing each other.
4. Cut along the fold up until the third pink stripe.
5. Spot the center of the rug and cut again, as shown below.

Why is it called a toothbrush rug?

A “toothbrush rug” is also known as an “Amish knot rag rug.” It’s made of scrap material such as sheets or new material if you choose. The reason it is called a “toothbrush rug” is because you need to fabricate a rather large needle and an old-fashioned toothbrush is just the right size and style for this.

How many sheets does it take to make a rag rug?

It takes about 10 yards of fabric to make a 24 x 36 inch size rug. 1/3 of this fabric is not even seen so an old sheet or other scrap fabric is great. I found that a full size sheet is about the same as 4 yards of fabric.