Big Stitch Knit Rug
Our Big Stitch Knit Rug is scrumptious like a heavenly soft cloud and beautiful like a white-pebbled Sardinian beach. Sinking your feet into its cozy stitches is such a wonderful feeling you’ll want it first thing in the morning and last thing at night!
With its farm-fresh natural fibers and jumbo sized stitches, the Big Stitch Knit Rug embraces homey rusticity with modern panache. A super easy slip stitch pattern gives it its lofty squishiness and fantastic nubbly texture.
Like its circular cousin, the Big Stitch Crocheted Rug, this knit version is made out of Bag Smith’s Big Stitch Alpaca. It seems to say, “Make me into a gorgeous rug!”. Seventy percent alpaca reinforced by a touch of wool and nylon, this yarn is ready to withstand rigorous duty with dignity and beauty!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoBigStitchKnitRug. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2 skeins of Bag Smith’s Big Stitch Alpaca Yarn (70% alpaca, 15% wool, 15% nylon). Each skein is 140 yards, approximately 280 yards required. This color is Cream.
- A US 36 (19/20 mm), 32 inch circular needle
Gauge
1¼ stitches = 1 inch in stitch pattern
Finished Dimensions
34 inches wide x 41 inches long
Notes
Slip 1: Slip 1 purlwise, with yarn in back.
Pattern
Cast on 41 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Wrong Side (WR): Knit
Right Side (RS): *K1, slip 1, repeat from * to last stitch, K1
Repeat previous 2 rows until piece measures about 41 inches or until desired length, ending with a WS row.
Bind off loosely and weave in your ends.
I'd like to make a 10X12 version of this. Would the magnum work and how much would I need? Would it be more cost effective to buy the rug already made?
Thanks,
So, is this actually knitted in the round or flat? I know, silly question, since it calls for circular needles but since it's a rug I figured it would be knitted flat.
Hi Kristen-
This is knit flat. The circular needles are used in this pattern just as you would use straight needles. The cable that connects the needles is used to hold the substantial width of the piece.
Thanks so much for getting in touch!
Molly
Love your work
I’m using a much cheaper yarn and I have tripled it. Still costing in the $30 range and should be washable….keep you posted!
Mary Lee, what kind of yarn did you use?
Hi Mary Lee,
What kind of yarn did you use? Thanks!
What yarn are you using . Big stitch retails for about $160. I made a throw. Could be a rug too using Two big stitch with some hand spun. I was ably to get it on sale.. But I want to know what yarn you used that cost $30
Love the pattern. Can’t wait to start.
What type of yarn did you use and how did it turn out?
I’m a little confused about the sl 1. Won’t that decrease the rug? Could you please elaborate a bit more about this part of the pattern?
Thank you
Teri
Hi Teri,
The slip 1 in the stitch pattern isn’t a decrease. It’s as simple as transferring the stitch from right needle to the left needle without knitting it. The slip stitch will look elongated compared to the stitches next to it. I hope this helps!
Sophia
How do you keep the rug from slipping? Just a regular rug pad? Thank you.
Hi Michelle-
Yes, a regular rug pad will work fine!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
is there another yarn that you would recommend for this pattern?
you don’t seem to sale the listed on any longer.
Thanks.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your question! Unfortunately we don’t carry the Big Stitch Alpaca yarn anymore. We have replaced it with Cascade’s Magnum holding 2 strands together. You can look at our color selection of the Magnum here; https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/650-Cascade-Yarns-Magnum
Please don’t hesitate to write back if you have more questions. Happy Knitting!
Jake
If you’re using Cascade’s “Magnum” with two strands, would you use the same size needle or a smaller size? Even two strands seems a bit smaller than the Big Stitch yarn. And the recommended needle size for the Magnum is 15-17. So maybe a 20-30?
Hi Alan,
Thank you for the comment. Yes you will use the same size needle -US 36- for the Cascade Magnum yarn held double. We do this in our Eleventh Hour blanket project which you can view here; https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/11/30/whits-knits-eleventh-hour-blanket/
Feel free to write back if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
How many skeins of the Magnum would you recommend for the rug?
Hello Jess,
Since each skein of the Big Stitch Bumps had 140 yards in it and because you need to use two strands of the Cascade Magnum yarn, you will need a total of 280 yards. You will need 2 full skeins and only a bit of a third. You can find our selection of colors here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/650-Cascade-Yarns-Magnum
Best of luck! -Alyson
Hi Jake – to make the above rug with Cascade yard (using 2 strands) how many skeins would I need??? Is it washable and does it wear as well as the original yarn mentioned? Thanks.
Hello Lori!
You would need a total of 3 skeins of Magnum to complete a rug that is the same size as our sample. Neither the Magnum or the original yarn used is machine washable. I would recommend spot cleaning or washing by hand and laying flat to dry. Both yarns are natural fibers, so they will pill a little bit. Try using a sweater comb to take off the pill balls, we sell them here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/960-Collins-D-Fuzz-Its
Best of luck! -Alyson
I am using Knit Picks new Tuff Puff and it’s gorgeous! Thanks for the fabulous pattern.
We’re so glad you are enjoying the pattern! Best of luck, Michelle! Thanks for writing in.
-Alyson
Are there any crochet patterns for this project using thick yarn?
Hey Nancy,
Thank you for the comment! Yes we do have a crochet rug pattern that uses this yarn. You can view that pattern here; https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/09/29/big-stitch-crocheted-alpaca-rugs/
Feel free to write us back with anymore questions!
Happy Crocheting!
Jake
I would like to make this larger- 4’X6′ (48″X60″ How many stitches would I need to cast on? I will bet using the Cascade Magnum and doubling. How many skeins will I need?
Hi Anne-
If you are getting the same gauge (stitches per inch) you should cast on 58 stitches. I estimate that you will need 10 skeins of the Magnum.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
What would be the number of skeons and would i need to double and size needle using lion brand thick & quick?
Hello Diane,
This yarn would be about the same size if you double stranded it, so you wouldn’t need to change the cast on number or the size needles of the pattern! You should definitely make a little swatch to double check!
Since there are 140 yards in the original yarn used for this pattern, you will need a total of 280 yards. Thick and Quick has 87 yards, so you’ll need 4 skeins of it.
Best of luck and happy knitting! -Alyson
Hi,
Was wondering if you have any yarn recommendations since you no longer have the cascade magnum or the one in the post above. What other yarns would you suggest which would be usable for this project? Would the gentle giant work? Would really appreciate it! 🙂
Hi Tina,
Thanks for writing in! We do still carry Cascade Magnum but not the yarn this rug was originally knit from. I see that some of our older links to Magnum are broken. Here is the updated link: https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/magnum.html
I would recommend using either Cascade Magnum held doubled or Blue Sky Bulky held doubled.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Do you think it would work to make four of these — two each in complimentary colors — and stitching them together to create a larger rug? If so, what method would you recommend to piece them together? Thanks.
Hi Cammie,
Great idea! You certainly can knit 4 rugs and attach them to one another. Luckily we have a tutorial for seaming garter stitch and I think the technique would work well to attach the 4 rugs to one another.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
love at first sight.
thanks–excited to start!
Hi Pat,
Thank you so much for your kind words! Let us know how it turns out!
Best,
Cassy
Hello! I am looking into either the Cascade Yarns Magnum or the Blue Sky Bulky. Does this project require 280 yards? Want to make sure I order enough as they come in varying lengths. Thank you!!
Would love to see more bulky rug patterns in the future!
Hi Sara,
Thanks for writing in! The original yarn used for this fun rug had roughly 130 yards per skein and called for 2 skeins. I like the idea of using magnum or bulky as a replacement. Please note that the Big Stitch Alpaca had 130 per 3 pounds or right around 11 yards per 4 ounces or 100 grams. Magnum comes in at roughly 49 yards per 100 grams and Bulky comes in at roughly 45 yards per 100 grams. To get a similar thickness to the original yarn, you will need to use multiple strands. I would think at least 3 strands of each knit together.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Thank you for shaing your pattern. It is just what I was looking for.
I would like to know who has made this rug using a different yarn and how did it come out
Hi, on the S1, is the yarn in the back or front of the work? I am excited to do this project!
Hello Tera,
Thank you for reaching out! For all of your slip stitches in this pattern you will be slipping 1 purlwise with yarn in back.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello, I’m bummed that you no longer carry Bag Smith’s Big Stitch Alpaca Yarn and I see the company has closed.
Can you recommend a substitute yarn?
Thanks,
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we don’t carry any yarns quite like Big Stitch Alpaca Yarn at this time – it was quite a unique weight and construction! To get the correct gauge you could use our Gentle Giant held double, but I’m afraid it would be a bit too delicate to hold up well as a rug. Blue Sky Worsted Cotton would be a much sturdier option, although even held double it won’t be as thick as the original yarn, so you will have to knit a gauge swatch to determine what size needle to use and how many stitches to cast on.
I hope that helps and happy knitting!
Julianna
I just finished the Big Stitch rug, except for weaving in ends. Just to be sure before I begin, please confirm for me that the slip stitch side is the right side and the garter stitch side is the wrong side. Thank you, Cynthia
To clarify my question above about right and wrong side: the right side I have marked looks like garter stitch; the other side has a longer stitch on the upper or “frown” row. That wrong side does not look as compact and dense. Wish I could see your photo better, but the knubby yarn makes it difficult to discern. Thanks again for your help, Cynthia
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for writing in! It sounds like you might have marked the wrong side of the rug as the right side. The right side should be the row that you worked the slipped stitches on, and it has a slightly different texture from regular garter stitch with some enlarged bumps in the garter ridges. The wrong side looks very similar to regular garter stitch.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I made a rug similar to this out of Alpaca bump. I love the rug, but it sheds worse than my cat! I am contemplating felting it, but afraid I may ruin it. I was thinking of taking it out on the deck and doing the stomp alternating soapy hot and cold water, but it’s October and I might not have a nice day.
Alternatively, I have newer washer that uses less water with no agitator. I contemplate throwing it in the washer with hot wash and cold rinse. Has anyone tried this?
Hi, I know this is rlated to an older project posting, but I wonder do you have a pattern for a crocheted rectangular rug, similar size to the knit version?
Thank You.
Hi Renee,
Thanks for writing in. We do have a correlating crochet rug design (Big Stitch Crocheted Alpaca Rugs), but unfortunately, it’s circular and not rectangular! However, I think you could easily make this rug rectangular instead. The circular version only uses single crochet stitches, so you could modify it by working these stitches back and forth, instead of in the round!
All the best,
Lili
Would mixing Gentle Giant Iceberg Blue with Nighttime Blue or Lapis Blue work for this rug? Or is it best to stick with doubling one color? I also considered Winter Bark with a blue, like Periwinkle. Is mixing a heather with a solid okay? All the latter except the Lapis are currently out of stock.
The other duos I thought of are Woolly Wool in Juniper Berry with Green Agave or Winter Green.
Would Wool be better, as stronger, than Merino? The Merino choice is more “nobbly,” so perhaps more interesting for a rug and more like the original suggestion.
The bedroom fabric cloud shades have a light aqua background and multi-color flowers, including some bright, clear blues.
Thank you. It’s so cold this winter!
Hi Judy,
That’s a great idea to use two strands of either Gentle Giant or Woolly Wool to make this rug! Either yarn will work very well, and they’re both quite strong fibers. The choice to either use 2 colors or double 1 color depends on the overall look you’re aiming for! If you use 2 colors, you’ll end up with a marled effect, which I think would look very fun. But it’s completely up to your preference for the rug!
If you choose to use two colors for this project, I’d actually recommend choosing two colors from the same color family. For example, I think that Woolly Wool in Green Agave + Winter Green would be a great combo, as well as Woolly Wool in Ice Pond and Juniper Berry. I hope this helps you in planning this project!
All the best,
Lili