How to Make Braided Wool Rugs

Making a braided wool rug is a skill that can be passed down from generation to generation.  It is inexpensive and easy to do.  Using a needle and thread and the same techniques that you use to braid hair, you can create an attractive rug that you will use for many years to come.

• Round up old wool blankets or other wool materials that you will be using to make your rug.  Wool sweaters will not work, but pretty much any other wool fabric will. You may want to consider checking with the various thrift shops in your area or you can purchase wool material from the fabric store if you are trying to stay within a particular color palate.  Consistent fabric weight will make your rug last longer, and make it more attractive.


• Cut your material into two inch wide strips.  It can vary in length but it needs to be two inches wide.


• Fold your fabric strips in half lengthwise and press.  Open the strips up and fold the outer edges in towards the center seam and press again.


• Choose the first three strips of fabric, varying the lengths. Using your needle and thread, sew the ends together.  Braid the three strips together tightly rolling the braid into a circle as you go.  When you reach the end of the strip, attach a new strip by sewing it to the bottom of the old strip. The varying lengths will prevent you from attaching three new strips at the same time, which will create a line and lump in that area of your rug. Use a large binder clip to hold your braid together if you choose to take a break. Continue this process until you use all of your material.


• Starting with the sewn end of your fabric, coil your braid tightly either in a circle or in an oval pattern.  After you have coiled the first 12 to 18 inches sew it in place using your needle and thread and a heavy duty thread such as a quilting thread. Use a lace stitch to attach the coil to itself working the thread back and forth in between the braids so that the stitches will not be visible. Stitch the rug every 12 to 18 inches of braid, continue until the rug is the size you want or you have coiled all of your braided material.


• Finish the rug by cutting the ends of your braid even, turning them over and attaching them together as you did at the beginning of the project.  Hand stitch the ends to the underside of the rug to make it more attractive.