Crochet Jute Doormat Pattern

There are a lot of things I have made over the years that are totally frivolous. Do you need a pair of color changing sneakers? Meh, not really. Are they cool to have? Yes. Extremely.

But in these times for a lot of us budgets are getting leaner and things like crafting materials are becoming more of a luxury. And so I’ve been finding myself working toward creating things that have purpose. A purpose besides just looking pretty, that is. I feel very strongly that beautiful things have their place in this world. To be comfortable and happy at home sometimes you need a few beautiful things that you love. Why? Just because…

In line with creating something that is both useful and pretty, I’m sharing with you a DIY crochet jute doormat that is fun to make. Using inexpensive jute twine you can crochet up a beautifully textured jute rug that I absolutely love. It’s really very gorgeous and I’m afraid my photos just don’t do it justice. And that chunky texture made up of simple half double crochet stitches means it is simple enough for a beginning hooker to try.

It also doesn’t hurt that it is the most satisfying thing to rub your feet across because that scratchy raised texture is just amazing. You’ll definitely have to give it a go once your rug is complete :)

Supplies Needed to Make a Crochet Jute Doormat:

• 1500 feet Jute Twine (approximate)
• Crochet Hook – Size M
• Crochet Stitch Markers
• Metal Yarn Needle
• Blocking Mats
• Blocking Combs

The least expensive jute twine I have found is from Walmart. For  $1.97 you get 190 feet. At 190 feet you’ll need 8 rolls for around $16 before tax. I was able to order my jute 4 rolls at a time (their limit) from the Walmart Grocery delivery service. I was also able to find the jute for $2.60 for 190 feet at Home Depot ($20.80) but it runs around $3.50 for 200  feet at Lowe’s (cost $28). I also found similar twine from Amazon but you’ll need to order 3 sets and have a lot left over. It is currently just barely more expensive than Lowe’s ($28.44) but can be conveniently delivered at home.

In this crochet rug project I’m using stitch markers to keep each row the same size. I’d strongly suggest using stitch markers. The jute is kind of fuzzy and wild and sometimes can be a bit difficult to make out which is that last stitch. Rather than add or subtract a stitch every once in a while, stitch markers make sure your doormat is as square as possible.

Preparing Your Jute to Crochet With…

Crocheting with a single cord of jute creates a much finer result. In the foreground I created a swatch of the same stitch used for this project but with a single strand of jute twine. The results are far finer without the nice, chunky texture that makes this jute rug look so awesome.

Because jute wants to knot together working with 2 strands from 2 rolls of twine at once is a nightmare. I’d strongly suggest making double-stranded balls of jute.

To ball your jute twine take 2 strands from different rolls and wrap it around 3 fingers of your hand at least 6 times. Remove from your fingers and fold the loops in half. Begin winding the double strand, keeping them together as you wrap around and around, forming a ball.

Crocheting with Jute Twine

Jute twine is scratchy and might bother sensitive skin. You can always wear cheap winter gloves to make your crochet jute doormat, if necessary. I prefer to keep my hands well moisturized with Working Hands Hand Cream.

Also, jute twine can have a smell. I can’t quite place it to describe it so I suppose it is a scent all its own. You’ll especially notice the odor when the jute is wet. The smell will dissipate over time.

This jute rug looks best when hooked tightly. I’m suggesting the use of an M Crochet Hook, but if you notice your stitches don’t look like mine, increase your hook size to make the fabric looser and decrease the hook size to make the stitches tighter.

Crochet Instructions

Every single row, after the first, will be made of half double crochet stitches made in the BACK LOOP ONLY. This is how we build that lovely ridged texture.

Crochet a chain of 59 out of your jute twine.

Half Double Crochet in the Fourth Chain from the hook and once in each stitch to the end. (55 stitches)

Once you reach the end chain twice and turn your work. This chain 2 will NOT count as your first stitch in this row or any other.

Half Double Crochet in the back loop only of the first stitch. Place a crochet stitch marker at the top of that stitch you just completed. Continue to the end making 1 half double crochet in every stitch. (55 st.)

Continue these 55 half double crochet stitches down the length of the jute rug in the back loop only until you reach the stitch marker from the previous row. That is the last stitch you will crochet into. Chain twice and turn your work. Continue stitching until your rug is around 22″ x 26″ (for me that was 32 rows).

Once your rug is the proper size tie off and weave in any ends.

How to Block Your Jute Rug

It can be really difficult to consistently hook every row with the same tension or tightness of stitches. If your rectangular jute rug is currently more of a trapezoid no worries! Blocking will make everything better!

Liberally wet your piece and lay out on blocking mats. And just look at how wonky that sucker is. Trapezoid CITY. But no worries! Blocking is AMAZING!

Using the lines on your blocking mats pull to stretch the rug so that it matches a rectangular shape. Push blocking combs into the outer stitches so that the rug will hold its shape. Allow to fully dry. Speed up the drying process by allowing to dry outside, however, the sun might lighten the jute on the one side facing up.

Adding Tassels to Your Crochet Jute Doormat

To create tassels wrap your jute twine around an item like a book many times. Use sharp scissors to cut the wrap away from the book. Count out your strands per tassel and group together. (I used 5 pieces of twine per tassel). Fold the pieces of twine for one tassel in half.

Run a crochet hook through the part of the side of the rug you wish to place the tassel. Use the hook to grab the center of the folded twine and pull through so that you have a loop sticking out of the top of your rug. Grab the loose ends of the twine and pull through the loop. Pull to tighten and form the tassel. It might be necessary to pull on individual pieces of twine to tighten any obvious bulges.

Continue to add tassels evenly to both sides of the crochet rug. Trim to desired length.

A functional project that is as useful as it is fun to make – you can’t ask for much more can you? :)