Toothbrush Rugs- Recycling the fun way!

"Toothbrush rug making" is an easy and fun way to recycle clothes, hoiery, plastic bags, etc. into beautiful rugs which last decades. This blog features pictures, video and text tutorials, and discussion led by a master craftsman who's been "rugging" for over 30 years. The folk name of the craft comes from the traditional use of an old flat handled toothbrush as the needle. Today spatula handles and paintbrush handles are more easily found and work just as well. Technically it is "Naalbinding" which is sort of a cross between crochet and knotting. The rugs look like braided rugs, but are far more durable. The stitch is easy and the technique VERY forgiving. Anything you can cut into a strip, you can make into a rug. So surplus plastic shopping bags become a lovely bathmat instead of the bane of the landfill. The dress which has sentimental value... and a bad wine stain... becomes part of a "remembrance rug."

Tags: crafts, recycling, naalbinding, toothbrush rugs, environmentalism