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Knitting Project: Fair Isle in the Round Rug

Knit a rug with a tried-and-true pattern using a novel approach.

This rug is knit “in the round”—you join your knitting in a circle, going around and around watching a large tube grow. After you finish knitting, you cut the tube open and unravel the edge stitches to create the fringe. This chart gives you:

Step-by-step instructions
Helpful knitting charts

Getting Started

This rug can be made in any super bulky yarn. Wool is a good choice because it’s easy to weave in all of the ends from the different colors without worrying that they will come undone.

For a more formal design, work all of the strips with the same color or with different shades in the same family. To spice things up a bit, choose the shades of cinnamon, saffron, and cayenne, or the bright reds, yellows, and greens of ripe chili peppers.

If you don’t have short circular needles to knit a gauge swatch, use your longer needles. Knit across one row, then—instead of turning—slide your knitting to the other end of the circular needle, and loosely strand the working yarns across the back. This will give you an accurate gauge sample because you are still knitting every row instead of purling the WS rows.

Blocking Rugs

Blocking, either by washing or steaming knitted pieces, evens out the stitches, and creates a flat, smooth texture. While blocking is not always needed for a rug to lie flat, it will make your finished piece look neater and more professional.

The type of fiber and stitch patterns used on the rug will determine the best method of blocking. The bands on the balls of most knitting yarns include blocking recommendations. Check the instructions before treating any yarn. Wash and block a swatch in the way you intend to treat the finished rug to make sure you like the results.

Wet Blocking

Washing a rug to relax the knitted fabric works especially well on cables and other knit-and-purl stitch patterns where pressing the rug would flatten out the texture. This wash-and-block technique is safe for any type of yarn, and is an easy way to relax a large knitted piece without much muscle work.

Steam Blocking

Steaming works well to even out the stitches on color work and plain Stockinette Stitch, which may seem uneven or even sloppy before blocking, and to soften and relax yarns that are particularly stiff or energized. Occasionally, you may want to press a piece more firmly. Always test this on a swatch before trying it on your finished rug!

Backing Rugs

Backing rugs with nonstick material gives them an extra layer of protection and, in the case of pile rugs, can keep the pile from coming loose. You can also apply fabric as a backing, or place a rug on a commercial rug pad.

Applying Nonslip Backings to Pile Rugs

Most rug-hooking and craft suppliers carry liquid latex products made for backing hooked rugs. This makes a perfect backing for knitted pile rugs.

Applying Nonslip Backings to Rugs without Pile

The puffy fabric paint sold in most craft stores makes a great nonslip backing for rugs without pile. The paint can be applied directly to the knitted fabric, or onto a sewn-on lining. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Lining Rugs

Linings add protection to the back of knitted rugs and will keep the flexible knitted fabric from stretching out of shape.

Caring for Hand-Knit Rugs

Treat your hand-knit rug as you would any other work of art, with regular care and maintenance.

Remove loose dirt from your rug by shaking it out gently.
Blot up spills immediately.
Vacuum with a hand attachment, but don’t use a beater bar.
Wool, cotton, and other natural fibers can be safely washed in the washing machine.
Rugs are best stored flat, but that is not always possible, particularly with larger pieces.
Always clean rugs thoroughly before putting them into storage.

Skill Level

Intermediate

You Will Need

Color A (tan), approximately 130yd/119m super bulky rug wool
Color B (cream), approximately 320yd/293m super bulky rug wool
Color C (blue), approximately 130yd/119m super bulky rug wool
Color D (green), approximately 130yd/119m super bulky rug wool
Color E (yellow), approximately 130yd/119m super bulky rug wool
Color F (mauve), approximately 130yd/119m super bulky rug wool
Color G (lavender), approximately 130yd/119m super bulky rug wool
Circular needles, 6mm and 8mm (sizes 10 and 11 U.S.) 24"/61cm or longer or size to obtain gauge
Sewing shears
Large plastic ruler
Tapestry needle