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You are here: Home / Make your Own / Denim Rug: Give Old Jeans New Life! DIY

Denim Rug: Give Old Jeans New Life! DIY

March 30, 2014 by Playne Jayne 63 Comments

Denim-Rug:-Give-Old-Jeans-New Life!-DIY www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

Denim Rug: Give Old Jeans New Life! DIY

I love this definition of ‘repurpose’…

to intend again

to design again

Doesn’t that sound fresh? If allowed, the idea of repurposing items can really kindle creativity in a person!

I found myself growing a pile of old jeans – too small, too worn, too torn. You name it. I decided to make a throw rug with that pile of jeans and I am so glad I did.

I began with 9 pairs of various sized jeans.

Denim-Rug:-Give-Old-Jeans-New Life!-DIY www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

I cut the main sections (4 panels each pair) avoiding all seems.  Then I cut them in one long continuous strip.  Cutting up one side and when I reached within 1/2″-1″ of the end of the panel, I turned the denim and cut back down to the other end.

Denim-Rug:-Give-Old-Jeans-New Life!-DIY www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

My “Denim Yarn”!

Denim-Rug:-Give-Old-Jeans-New Life!-DIY www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

So excited to get things moving along… but still had more prep work to do. Imagine 9 pair of jeans X 4 panels each, cut into piles of this “yarn”.  Only one thing would preserve sanity in this situation. Roll all 36 strands into balls.

Denim-Rug:-Give-Old-Jeans-New Life!-DIY www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

I carted this basket with me everywhere. When I had quiet moments waiting for appointments or children’s lessons to finish or during a quiet workday, I rolled.

And eventually I grabbed an extra large crochet needle and started in!  I just kept stitching in an oval shape and now my feet have a cozy, chunky, durable Denim Rug right in front of my kitchen sink!  I love it!

Denim-Rug:-Give-Old-Jeans-New Life!-DIY www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

I will never look at a pile of ‘toss out’ items the same again. I am proud of my denim rug, it always attracts attention, and all it cost me is a little imagination, patience, and initiative! I hope this fuels your own repurposing endeavors… here’s to new life!

https://www.instagram.com/laurahinckley/

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Filed Under: Make your Own Tagged With: Craft, Crochet, DIY, Jeans, Rag Rug, Repurpose

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Comments

  1. Ellen Christian says

    June 26, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    I love those planters! Hens n chicks are my favorite!
    Ellen Christian recently posted…Nail Pampering DIY

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    • Playne Jayne says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Aren’t they great Ellen!? Hard to kill hahahah… which is important around here. I got those from my sister in law who got them from my mother in law in NY so I’m hoping to pass them down to my kids:)

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  2. Roberta says

    June 27, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    Awesome idea! I need a new rug in the kitchen and those muck boots are fantastic!
    Roberta recently posted…My Small Business Blogging Solution – Office 365 from GoDaddy

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    • Nancy Haggerty says

      May 8, 2016 at 10:32 am

      I was wondering how to find out what the width of the strips is?

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  3. Dawn Pruitt says

    June 30, 2014 at 7:14 pm

    I love to repurpose items and jeans are one of my faves!! Love the way your rug turned out! Great job!

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    • LauraH says

      June 30, 2014 at 11:04 pm

      Hi Dawn. Thank you Jayne is pretty amazing. These rugs are so nice on the floor. I have a few in my home too 🙂 ~Laura

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    • Elizabeth Bergeron says

      January 6, 2015 at 9:04 pm

      I don’t understand how to make the jean rug. Can you explain how to make the pattern?

      Please and thank you!

      Elizabeth in WI

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      • Sue Harty says

        May 9, 2016 at 1:53 pm

        How did you attach the stand together? Crocheted, or sewed?

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        • LauraH says

          May 12, 2016 at 9:40 am

          It is crocheted. It attaches to itself while your crocheting 🙂

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          • Wilma Washington says

            August 6, 2016 at 8:19 pm

            I guess for people like me it would be nice to see some in progress pictures. You just jump from a bowl of denim balls to finished product. Why no steps or examples?

          • Mary says

            October 14, 2017 at 5:11 pm

            I would not rely on it to hold to itself. I would sew columns of stiches l to r or right to left and lock each stitch. If I had access to a industrial machine I would do the same. Would not trust to wash it otherwise.

          • Georgia says

            January 10, 2018 at 10:25 am

            Need to see the crochet detail for beginners at crochet

  4. Dawn @ Pin-n-Tell says

    July 29, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    I have so many old jeans that are worn out or have holes, etc. This is a terrific idea, repurpose them! I’ve pinned this for future reference. Also thank’s for including this repurposed idea in our Pin Party last week 🙂 Hope to see you again, we have a party every Friday.. new theme every week! (p.s. And we’re so excited to have you as Pinner of the Week again!!)
    Dawn @ Pin-n-Tell recently posted…Tell Me About It Tuesday {7-29-14}

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  5. Jenn Peters says

    September 7, 2015 at 6:22 pm

    Hi Laura!

    Dropping by from the Sunday Blog Hop. Thank you so much for sharing this great DIY! I love seeing repurposed projects like this. You are so creative!

    I hope to see you again next week. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next 🙂
    Jenn Peters recently posted…Sunday Blog Hop ~ September 6th 2015

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  6. Eve says

    September 14, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    Terrific rug and fantastic imagination!
    I am going to try this one after I have saved up a few pairs of denims. My daughter could cut and roll. Until now we have generally tried crafts from Jumpstart Crafts or Kids Crafts. In fact if my daughter’s interested, she could participate in the actual making of the rug. Your rug is a lovely craft for us to start our first mother-daughter craft project. Many thanks!

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    • LauraH says

      September 18, 2015 at 10:34 am

      That means so much Eve. I love you and your daughter can do this together. You made me smile. 🙂

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  7. Lyn @MidMichigaMom says

    September 19, 2015 at 9:59 am

    I love, love, love this idea! It is fabulous that you repurposed old jeans and gave them into a pretty rug =) Thank you for sharing this on our Welcome Home Wednesday link party! You get my vote for the feature next week! Make sure to come back next week to grab your button!
    Lyn @MidMichigaMom recently posted…5 Tips for Facebook Worthy Photography

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  8. Sam // DIY Just Cuz says

    September 21, 2015 at 2:44 am

    This is a super idea! I love that you called the balls “denim yarn”, how funny. I bet this rug is suuuuper rugged which is awesome, since rugs always seem to get torn apart for me. I’m echoing Lyn here, thanks for sharing with us at Welcome Home Wednesday…come back again! 😀
    Sam // DIY Just Cuz recently posted…Not Your Mama’s Maxi: A Guide to Sewing an Hourglass Maxi Skirt

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  9. Lisa B. says

    September 23, 2015 at 9:18 am

    Good Morning!! Just popping in to let you know your post has been picked as a feature at the Welcome Home Wednesday Link Party! Stop by this morning to see your feature and link up! Don’t forget to grab your “Featured Button” too!

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    • LauraH says

      September 24, 2015 at 12:14 pm

      Thank you so much. What a great party you have. Thank you for letting me link up 🙂

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      • Jeanie says

        May 7, 2016 at 11:43 pm

        Sounds like y’all know each other. I have to say that I don’t feel I have enough info to go on here.

        When you say you took a large crochet needle and got with it; that tells me nothing!!
        I need to know how big the needle is, what Letter or Number is the needle???
        And you gave no directions what so ever!!
        You said to crochet in an oval shape – well, that would be great but I need some “HOW TO’S”
        Would like to hear from anyone please. The idea of the denim rug sounds very fun to make
        and perhaps do some gift giving with them.
        I am a beginner at chrochet but will try to follow along.
        Thank you for your time.

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        • Tracy Barrett-Enoch says

          September 27, 2017 at 9:18 am

          I would guess you do a chain of crochet then crochet into the chain and instead of turning when you get to the end you just keep going around the corner and up the other side. You could start with a small chain and hence end up with a circle or a longer chain to make it an oval. Hope this helps…

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  10. Jamie says

    October 2, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    Wow, what a great idea!! I have some old jeans that have just served their purpose in the closet, and need something new to be a part of…this would be perfect!! 🙂 #HomeMattersParty
    Jamie recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #57

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    • LauraH says

      October 2, 2015 at 4:11 pm

      Hi Jamie,
      That is my favorite post. These rugs get softer and softer and are so fun to make. I look forward to see what you make. Thank you so much for stopping by our party!

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  11. Chelsea @ The Johnsons Plus Dog says

    October 2, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    Wow, so creative! Looking forward to co-hosting with you at the #HomeMattersParty
    Chelsea @ The Johnsons Plus Dog recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #57

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    • LauraH says

      October 2, 2015 at 7:56 pm

      Thank you so much Chelsea. I too am looking forward to co-hosting with you #HomeMattersParty

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  12. Sahana says

    October 3, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    This is great idea to use all the old jeans piling up in the closet.your rug loves lovely. I would prefer braiding instead of crocheting because I am crochet challenged (Is that even a word ;)). Great to be co-hosting with you this month. #HomeMattersParty
    Sahana recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #57

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  13. Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden says

    October 3, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    I’ll be saving my old jeans for this project from now on! #HomeMattersParty
    Vickie @Vickie’s Kitchen and Garden recently posted…My Menu this Past Week 10/3/15 -Time for Sauerkraut!

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  14. Alayna @AlaynasCreationsa says

    October 4, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    What a great way to repurpose old jeans. I almost always have a few sitting around that the kids have worn holes in or grown out of.
    Looking forward to a great month co-hosting. #HomeMattersParty
    Alayna @AlaynasCreationsa recently posted…A Witchy Front Porch

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    • LauraH says

      October 6, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      Hi Alayna,
      Thank you for co-hosting #HomeMattersParty. I love our Denim Rug. It gets softer each time you use it. I have 4 in my home and love each of them.

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  15. Lou Ann says

    December 4, 2015 at 7:08 am

    what pattern did you use to make the rug after you got the balls?

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  16. Lou Ann says

    December 4, 2015 at 7:11 am

    What pattern or stitch did you use when you got the balls together to make the rug?
    Lou Ann recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #65

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    • LauraH says

      December 4, 2015 at 10:33 am

      It’s just a single crochet stitch Lou Ann

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  17. Alice says

    December 4, 2015 at 11:17 am

    What size hook did you use for this…

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    • LauraH says

      December 4, 2015 at 12:29 pm

      The largest you can find. Mine is blue but does not have a size on it.

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      • Alice says

        December 4, 2015 at 1:07 pm

        Thank you!

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  18. Debby says

    December 4, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    How wide is each strip?

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  19. Lu says

    December 4, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    I am thinking it would be a good idea to cut the jeans with pinking shears so that when you wash the rug it will not ravel.

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  20. Judy says

    March 1, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    How wide are your strips?

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  21. Terri Adair says

    April 10, 2016 at 11:10 pm

    How are these rugs to wash.

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    • LauraH says

      April 12, 2016 at 10:33 am

      Hi Terri,
      Wash by itself. You are going to get lots of fuzzies the first few times but that makes the rug softer. 🙂

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  22. Donna says

    May 8, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    After get a large crochet needle and stitch in an oval—–I’m completely lost. I would love to understand how to do this.

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  23. Jean Phillips says

    June 17, 2016 at 1:08 am

    How wide are the strips are they 1 inch or 1 1/2 inch or two inches?
    I love the idea of the jeans rug.

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  24. Brenda Chaffin says

    October 1, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    Many people have asked but I haven’t seen a reply on how wide the strips are.. does anybody know???

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  25. Jamie Chrisman says

    November 26, 2016 at 8:38 pm

    Is there a crochet pattern that you used to make it oval?
    Jamie

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  26. susie turner says

    March 12, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    i crochet but need some kinda pattern so i can do this
    pleaze post pattern or send me please
    the2turners@earthlink.net

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  27. Cheryl Gerard says

    July 20, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    So Cool. What did you use to cut the jeans into strips…

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  28. Sheri Ison says

    October 30, 2019 at 4:05 pm

    Love your denim throw rug idea. You don’t specify how wide to make the strips. Please advise. Thank you so much.

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  29. Lynn says

    March 14, 2020 at 10:41 pm

    That’s awesome, currently working on something similar with old shirts.

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Trackbacks

  1. Pinner of the Week {Lauras Little House Tips} says:
    July 30, 2014 at 3:10 am

    […] great projects! I love DIY projects and especially love projects that are eco-friendly.  Her Denim Rag Rug DIY is a great use of any old jeans that you might have laying […]

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  2. 10 Great DIY Ideas Using Recycled Denim - Saving Mamasita says:
    July 27, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    […] hold up. Save up old jeans for a while to make this one, as it takes around 9 pairs of denim. Jean Rag Rug This denim beaded bracelet is fun to make and share with your friends. Older kids may be able to […]

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  3. 1 – Denim Rug: Give Old Jeans New Life | Offer Your says:
    August 26, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    […] Source: http://lauraslittlehousetips.com/denim-rug-give-old-jeans-new-life-diy/ […]

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  4. Home Matters Linky Party #57 | alaynascreations says:
    October 2, 2015 at 12:02 am

    […] Laura shares Denim Rug – Give Old Jeans New Life – DIY […]

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  5. Home Matters Linky Party #57 | Cu-rio says:
    October 2, 2015 at 12:03 am

    […] Laura shares Denim Rug – Give Old Jeans New Life – DIY […]

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  6. Home Matters Linky Party #57! says:
    October 2, 2015 at 12:14 am

    […] Laura shares Denim Rug – Give Old Jeans New Life – DIY […]

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  7. Home Matters Linky Party #57 - That Recipe says:
    October 2, 2015 at 12:20 am

    […] Laura shares Denim Rug – Give Old Jeans New Life – DIY […]

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  8. Home Matters Linky Party #57 - TigerStrypes Blog says:
    October 3, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    […] Laura shares Denim Rug – Give Old Jeans New Life – DIY […]

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  9. Home Matters Linky Party- 57 - La Petit Chef says:
    February 23, 2016 at 10:04 am

    […] Laura shares Denim Rug – Give Old Jeans New Life – DIY […]

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  10. Earth Day Crafts for Adults: Recycle and Upcycle Household Items says:
    April 20, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    […] can turn Denim Jeans into a Rug with Laura’s Little House Tips […]

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  11. 13 Awesome DIY Rugs You Could Be Making Right Now | Industry Standard Design says:
    May 20, 2016 at 6:11 am

    […] Tutorial: lauraslittlehousetips.com […]

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  12. Winter Decorating Tips to Cozy Up Your Apartment - AMLI Blog: Loving Apartment Living says:
    November 23, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    […] warm and comfortable. If you’re feeling ambitious and have some time on your hand, you can fashion your own rug from well-worn jeans or t-shirts you never wear anymore. Layering rugs is another winter decorating […]

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  13. Don’t Toss Your Old Jeans! Here Are 23 Fun and Creative Crafts You Can Do with Them – Natural Healing says:
    January 12, 2017 at 1:30 am

    […] Turn them into a rug! Instructions included! […]

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  14. She cut up her jeans in "one long strip" and look what she made for her kitchen sink area: - DIY CHICKS says:
    July 25, 2017 at 12:13 am

    […] To see more: http://lauraslittlehousetips.com/denim-rug-give-old-jeans-new-life-diy/ […]

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