Free Crochet Pattern: Rug with Ridges

By Rachel Choi – 62 Comments
I’ve been meaning to make a rug for my bathroom and kitchen for a while and I finally got around to doing it! I needed something simple. Nothing fancy or else I won’t want to step on it. I made it a little too big to go in front of my bathroom sink, so this one is going in the kitchen. Next time I’ll remember to measure first. This rug has a nice ridge texture that is made by crocheting in the back loop only. It’s a great project if you’re a beginner or if you just need a rug! Make sure to put something slip resistant on the bottom of it so it doesn’t slip and slide around the floor.

crochet rug with ridges

Skill Level: beginner crochet skill level

Finished Size: 32″ (81 cm) wide, 16 1/2″ (42 cm) tall
Note: adjust rug to the size you want using directions in the pattern

Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 364 yards)
Crochet hook K (6.50 mm)
crochet yarn size 4

Gauge: not really important, crochet as tight or loose as you want your rug.

Crochet Pattern: Rug
Note: all stitches are crocheted in the back loops only
Start by chaining 90 or as wide as you want rug
Row 1: ch 3, dc in forth ch from hook and in each ch across: 90 dc
Row 2: ch 3, turn, dc in each dc across: 90 dc

Repeat row 2, 28 times or until rug is as tall as you desire.

If you need help with crocheting this rug, feel free to let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

Similar Posts

62 Comments

  1. Harold says:

    I cant wait to try this one. I ahve been meaning to try the back loop only thing but never have, but now I am. thanks Rachel.

  2. Kat W. says:

    Hi Rachel ~ First I want to say: I can’t believe you are only 20! So experienced & so knowledgeable at such a young age. Good for you — and great for us! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Question on this pattern: How many sts will there truly be for each row, if you ch 90 to begin with? You state there will still be 90 sts for the rows, but won’t there be less? [FYI, I just learned to crochet 15 months ago — a true gift from the Lord, and it has become my passion!]

    • Rachel says:

      Hey Kat!
      There will be 90 dc if you chain 90 to start. The reason is that at the beginning of row 1 (and in each row after than), chains are added to make the “turning chain”. Some would say that you start with 93 chains, not really 90. Some also like to count the ch 3 as a double crochet, so can also say that there are 91 dc instead of 90 dc.

      But for this pattern, I don’t count the turning chain as a double crochet and don’t count the first ch 3 in row one as a part of the foundation chain, so if you start with 90 chains before starting row 1, then you will have 90 dc on each row (not counting the ch 3 as a double crochet)

      I hope that makes sense, but if I confused you let me know ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Kat W. says:

    Uh, no, it makes no sense to me, Rachel. LOL But that is probably ‘cuz I’ve been crocheting for only a little over a year. ๐Ÿ˜‰ I’ll just take your word for it since you are the expert here. *s* And then, when I decide to make this rug, it will make sense to me ‘cuz I will visually see this fact in action.

    BTW, is there a particular yarn you’d suggest for this rug — one that will truly FEEL GOOD on my feet? Also, do you just put some of that gripper stuff under the rug (to prevent slipping), or do you sew something to the bottom of the rug? Thanks!

    • Rachel says:

      lol, Kat! Let’s just say that for every chain a double crochet goes in it ๐Ÿ™‚

      For the yarn, I didn’t use anything fancy, just good old acrylic Red Heart. It’s cheap stuff but it’s sturdy and will wash good if I need to toss it into the washing machine. But feel free to use what you like, but I wouldn’t pick anything you don’t want walked on ๐Ÿ™‚

      As for the bottom, I actually doesn’t slip on my kitchen floor as much as I thought it would. It’s probably because of the texture, but to be on the safe side putting something under it is a good idea. You can use one of those rubber rug mats that are designed to be placed under rugs. You don’t have to sew it on. Also you can use puff paint or the kind of paint that’s used to draw on t-shirts (if you know what I mean). Sometimes people use them to make the bottom of their slippers not slippery. The paints can be found at craft stores.

  4. Kat W. says:

    Now that I think of it, the rug probably wouldn’t have to feel good under my feet — ‘cuz I’d most likely be wearing socks. Almost all my area rugs are stored during barefoot season. LOL

    Great idea about the puffy paints! And, coincidentally, my 8-yo dgs was here just yesterday – wearing a t-shirt on which he’d made designs with — yup — puffy paints! I’m presuming that stuff does not come off in the washer — or dryer! (or does it have to be line-dried, with puffy paint on it?)

    BTW, I started a dishcloth with “the ridges”. Am loving it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    P.S. I just re-read the rug pattern and now I get it …. ‘cuz, yah, I’m one of those who’d say you actually start with “ch 93”. Oh I love it when I’m confused … and then get “un-confused”. Thanks, Rachel!

  5. Monique says:

    HI Rachel,

    I will be trying to make this rug, but i was thinking of using cotton instead of wool. I think this will cause les slipping. What do you think??

    • Rachel says:

      Hey Monique!
      It might cause less slipping, I’m not actually sure. But I do know what with cotton it won’t be as stretchy, so that can be a good thing ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. colleen says:

    Rachel i hope you feel better real soon its no fun to be sick. my husband says its no fun to go when i crochet in the car because i cant talk and crochet at the same time well lol i cant walk and chew gum at the same time so i have to crochet a few minutes then break and talk for a few thats the way to do it for me thanks for all your fun free patterns cant wait til you get the store open im interested in the wishing well. thanks for all you do for us colleen brown

  7. Sherry Buenrostro says:

    Hi Rachel,
    I love the simplicity of this pattern and it can be used in every room. The rubber shelf liner is great for adding w/o attaching it to the rug.
    Thank you,
    Sherry

  8. Barbara Penn says:

    Hope you are feeling much better, Rachel. Like Colleen said, thank you for sharing all your wonderful ideas and patterns with us. Your rug pattern came at a good time as I want to replace my boring bath mat with a colorful handmade bath rug. Do you think a rug with different colors of stripes could be made using your pattern? How would I hide the color changes so it would look neat? I have visualized stripes in cream, gold, brown, pale yellow (the colors of the wall and fixtures) with stripes of a bright rust and light teal (the last two colors to pick up colors from Japanese prints on the bathroom wall and to add a little pop. Would a felted rug be too slippery or would it matter as I’ll be adding something to the back anyway?

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Barbara! I am feeling better, thanks!
      You can definitely make the rug more colorful if you want. If you change colors at the beginning of a row and just weave in the loose end in back of the rug, it should be pretty neat! You can felt it as well and since you’ll put something under it shouldn’t slip anyway. Have fun with it ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Donna says:

    Hi there, your photos are so clear. What type camera do you use?

  10. Donna says:

    Hi again. Thanks much for the camera info. I like your site a lot and am going to put a link to it on my blog. Hope that’s ok.

  11. happenin says:

    Hi Rachel/all:

    With a project in mind and no appealing pattern (until now) to use, I’m happy to report I’ve completed it with this one.

    I made a 24 long x 20 wide version of this pattern as a bathroom rug for my tub/shower entrance, with 6 skeins of Lily’s Sugar and Cream in light blue.

    For the job I want it to do and after some testing, I found crocheting with a double strand produced a thicker rug.

    Nice, easy pattern and it looks good. Not bad on the feet either.

    Thank you very much for this no fuss pattern.

  12. Sarah R. says:

    I agree with everyone – this pattern looks nice and easy. It should do very well in my bathroom. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Also, I just read a tip in my Crochet World that you can use a hot glue gun on the back of your rug to keep it from slipping – I guess it’s okay to wash..?

  13. Karen S. says:

    I know I’m about a year late but I just found this website and all the wonderful patterns!

    The comments are so helpful for me, I am basically new to anything other than knit/crochet scarfs and blankets!

    My question is if you use a double strand of Sugar and Cream, which crochet hook would be best for a loose thick weave?

    Thank you

  14. […] a bathroom rug out of organic fibers is a unique way to go green in the bathroom, this Rug with Ridges would make a conversation piece for your bathroom, especially in some bold stand out color or even […]

  15. Debbie says:

    I can’t wait to make this rug. I used the shelfliner under the rug I use to have in my kitchen. I had not problem with the rug slipping. I did have a problem with my hubby kicking the rug around when he did the dish though.

  16. Sheri says:

    You know, Rachael, I’m thinking this would be a great mat for cats or smallish dogs, too!

  17. randi says:

    Hi love the idea but what kind of yarn? Hard time finding anything that says aran……and found that just regular worsted medium too stretchy-the lilys and cream I think I can find-but is there anything else I can use??? Very limited on rug yarns….
    Thanks!!!!!!!!

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Randi, you can use any medium weight yarn you like. In the photo is Red Heart. If you place one of those rubber grip mats underneath your rug when you’re done it tends to not stretch and slide all over the place. Lily’s would be a be a good yarn to try since cotton tends to not be as stretchy as acrylic yarn.

  18. Jan says:

    Hi – this is my first time here and I am going to do this rug in both yarn and plastic bags.
    I want a rug for the entry way from my deck to my house that I can just hose off. I started a round plastic bag rug, but it’s just not sitting right, so I think this one should do it. I’ll try to post a photo when I get it donw.

  19. Maureen says:

    Thank you for having a simple pattern in writing–I was just going to wing it, but since I see it in black and white, I feel more confident knowing it can be just this easy to make a rug myself!

  20. Ronnie says:

    I’ve been wanting to make a few bathroom rugs but I wasnt sure you can use ‘acrylic’ yarn, I thoguht it should be cotton. Reading this and other patterns and yarns used. Anyone is it just me? I need bathroom rugs, can you help?

  21. elisa says:

    This is the best and detailed rug pattern. Going to have to make this one. I really like the simple crochet pattern which makes it look great. thanks for the pattern.

  22. chanda schooley says:

    hi! thanks for the rug pattern. it look great! I’m going to
    try it!

  23. Judy says:

    Would this pattern work if made into a much larger rug, e.g. 3’x5′ or 3’x4′? I need a rug at my back door coming into kitchen from the deck, but with larger proportions. Would the rug get unruly and too stretchy while crocheting, even with cotton yarn, if I attempt to make it much bigger?

    • Ronnie says:

      Judy…..
      I made 3 in both 3’x4 and 3’x5’… cotton yarn. jute and twine. Came out great. Jute and twine was and will be used for front door entry, I am sure it would work for a deck to kitchen area as well. The cotton is used in bathroom. Thanks for the pattern idea.

  24. elisa says:

    Hi Rachel, what a lovely rug pattern, very nice i like it very much and will make a couple. I just purchased your little arigurumi chick. I’m going to use it as a sachet, it’s just too cute. Your are so Very talented.

  25. elisa says:

    Hi Rachel, i meant to ask you, do you ever have patterns in your crochet spot store for dog coats for small and medium dogs? I would like to make simple crochet coats to donate to the shelter.

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Elisa, sorry I don’t have any at the moment. It has been on my to-do list forever! You may have some luck doing a quick Google search for the patterns though.

  26. Jojos B. says:

    Thank you very much Rachel for sharing this pattern with us. ๐Ÿ™‚

  27. cristy says:

    I wonder what this would be like made with Cotton Yarn instead

  28. Michelle says:

    Hi there!!! I love this pattern and being new to the yarn/crocheting world, this was an extremely easy pattern to follow. That being said, I’ve made the rug too long and not wide enough! My question is, can I “cut” the rug in half and attach the two pieces together to make it wide enough? I hate to think I need to unravel ALL of my work! Thanks so much!!!

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Michelle, unfortunately there isn’t an easy way to cut crochet work without having it all unravel. I’ve taken apart a lot of my crochet work after spending a lot of time on it so I know how you feel!

  29. Michelle says:

    Bummer!!! Thanks Rachel! Keep up the great work!

  30. Laura says:

    Hi I,m trying to make your rug with ridges but tried your pattern didn,t make ridges .I took your instructions to crochet class the teaches says that the pattern is not correct. I even tried double crochet then a row of single still dosen,t make ridges. Help

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Laura, make sure you are making all the stitches in the back loops only. Working in the back loops only is what makes the ridges. If you click on the tutorial for working on the back loops only (right above the pattern instructions) you can see how to work it.

  31. Jan says:

    Hi Rachel! I just became a member in your Crochet Spot and I want to say that
    of all the crochet websites and blogs you are by far the best, I am really pleased with your instructions, they are so easy to read and I cant wait to start my rug!
    Thanks from a beginner Rachel!
    Jan

  32. Jan says:

    Hi. I have a question. Tried this pattern using red heart yarn and a size k needle but the ridges seem not to be close together. Do u think doubling the yarn with make it more strudy so it would not slip. To me it looks like an afgan but your picture looked so pretty. Thanks

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Jan!
      If you double the yarn it will be thicker, which is probably what you want. You can also get one of those rubber rug mats to put underneath it so that it doesn’t slip.

  33. nicole hoad says:

    Rachel,
    I was curious about row 2 and the rest of the rows after….do we still crochet in the 4th ch? wont it make the rug look funny if you just start with the first stitch?

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hello!

      You are only working into the 4th ch on the first row. On row 2 and each row thereafter you are not working into any chains, just the double crochets that you already made on the previous row.

  34. chesca says:

    hi would you (or anyone else) know if you can vacuum this up fairly easily? Or is it more the type of thing you would either shake off and/or throw in the washer? I am thinking of doing this for a present for my mom. her front hallway is long and no rugs at the store seem to fit so she has 3 separate ones overlapping each other (which I think looks a little ugly) I was thinking of following this pattern but making it 14 feet long,but she has a very sheddy cat that I am thinking will cause her to need to vacuum the rug often. What do you think?

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hello! The rug is light weight so unless it is attached to something that will hold it down it will probably be difficult to vacuum. It would probably be easier to toss it in the wash like a crocheted blanket. If you attach it to a heavy rubber backing sort of like what commercial rugs have, maybe that will make it heavier and easier to vacuum. You can also try crocheting it with a thicker yarn and a larger hook to make it thicker.

  35. Clarisse says:

    Hi Rachel,
    How much yarn did this size make? Just wanted to have an idea how much yarn I need. Looking forward to making this for my kitchen but longer.

  36. Srigowri says:

    Hi Rachel,

    Thanks for the idea. I really liked it.
    I am a beginner in crocheting and this was my first crochet project. I just finished this mat for my kitchen. It came out great.

  37. Helen Fritzie says:

    Hi Rachel, love this pattern as most I have seen are round!
    Can’t wait to try it out and do you think maybe using some of that
    bulky/chunky yarn would make it heavier so it wouldn’t slip?
    Thanks and all the be to you!
    Helen Fritzie

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Helen! Yes, bulky yarn will work. It will keep its shape better. It still may slip though, so you may want to get one of those rubber rug grippers to put on the bottom.

  38. Minn says:

    I made this rug and I love it! I did three rows of single crochet in rounds around the edges of my rug and it gave it a nice border that adds a bit of interest. Also I used a multi-colored yarn and the end result is spectacular. Thanks for the awesome pattern!

  39. Martha says:

    Do you think this rug would work if I used rug yarn? I have lots and don’t know what to do with it…any other suggestions? Thanks!

  40. Joni Kelly LMT says:

    Hi Rachel, I am just now seeing (needing) this pattern. After having some soft, washable, no rubber backing, rugs in my massage room for about 22 years, they are getting too threadbare from washing. I began looking at patterns and like the appearance of this one. Even though I’ve crochetted for many of my 66 years, easy also means fast in my book! I’m going to pick some neutral colors that will go with my massage room and start this rug. Thanks for your pattern idea and great instrucitional comments over the years. I’ve read what you have to say and I’m looking forward to trying my hand at a rug. (I’ll post pictures when I finish!) Thanks, again! Joni LMT!

Leave a Reply to Karen S.