https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/light-up-rug • Posted by Carmen
This is without a doubt the most popular tutorial on my blog Crafty Queens, maybe you have seen it around the web too! I was inspired by a picture on Pinterest. It was a rug made of bulky yarn, crocheted around a lights cords. I loved this idea, but couldn't find the source of the image! That's when I decided to make a tutorial myself, it couldn't be that hard, right? Read on to find out how to make this!
This is without a doubt the most popular tutorial on my blog Crafty Queens, maybe you have seen it around the web too! I was inspired by a picture on Pinterest. It was a rug made of bulky yarn, crocheted around a lights cords. I loved this idea, but couldn't find the source of the image! That's when I decided to make a tutorial myself, it couldn't be that hard, right? Read on to find out how to make this!
To start, get your supplies! This proved to be the most tricky bit since I have been asked frequently where to get the supplies. I can give you addresses for shops here in the Netherlands, but where to get the supplies abroad I simply don't know. Please bear with me! I used a rope light of 6 meters, of which I made a rug about 50cm in diameter. If you want a bigger rug, use a longer rope light. Make sure the lights are LED lights, so they don't get hot and they are relatively cheap in use. Very important: check the lights before working with them!! Then, get some fabric yarn. I bought 4 cones of yarn but in the end I only used one! But it's better to buy too much and then return it in the end. Oh who am I kidding, who ever returns yarn, right?
Before you start working around the lights, you have to crochet a circle first, since the rope won't curl up small enough. Start with 8sc in a magic loop, and then sc2 in every sc. Work in spirals. Then, attach the rope light.
Insert your hook like in the picture, and grab the yarn.
Pull the yarn through the stitch, just like with a regular single crochet.
This time pick up the yarn from above the rope light.
Pull through both loops. Keep repeating this! You will get the hang of it after a few times.
For the first few rounds, keep crocheting with *1sc, 2sc*. Crochet very loosely! After the 3rd round, I noticed that if you just crochet loose enough, you don’t have to increase that much. When you do need to, just chain 1 in between stitches. ( I did this every 6 stitches) I found that doing 2SC covers the lights too much. It would still shine through, but I thought it was nicer to leave larger gaps. If you need to increase in the last round, however, use 2SC instead of chains, as it makes for a nicer edge.
Crochet until you've reached the end of the rope light.
Weave in the ends with a big needle.
Light it up! Sooo pretty... I've seen people make them with coloured lights and they've turned out stunning as well. Be creative! Although I use mine as a rug, some people have suggested using it as a wall hanging! So clever! I'm not sure if you can stand or sit on it. If you use LEDs, there's probably no fire hazard, but the lights may still break if you step on them or sit on them. Just be careful. Don't spill any liquids on it! If you need to wipe off the rug, make sure to unplug it first.