how to tapestry crochet crochet heart mug rug

How To Do Flat Tapestry Crochet (1)

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Flat tapestry crochet is when we work in rows instead of rounds. There are two ways to do flat tapestry crochet: 1) Going in one direction only (One-Directional Flat Tapestry Crochet) and 2) Going back and forth in rows (Two-Directional Flat Tapestry Crochet). Let’s learn how to do One-Directional Flat Tapestry Crochet by making this beautiful Valentine’s Mug Rug first.

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WHAT IS ONE-DIRECTIONAL FLAT TAPESTRY CROCHET

In One-Directional Flat Tapestry Crochet, we work flat in rows in one direction only on the right side (RS) of the work. This means that we won’t be turning at the end of each row. Instead, we will be fastening off and cutting the yarn at the end of each row.

This will leave us with a lot of ends to deal with when we finish the project. Depending on the project, we can try to hide them or repurpose them and use them as fringes. In the Valentine’s Mug Rug Free Crochet Pattern below, we will be using them as fringes.

Flat tapestry crochet projects usually need blocking as part of the finishing instructions. This is to help even out the fabric and loosen up the stitches. Investing in a good set of blocking mats with grids will help tremendously in the process.

If this is your first time doing tapestry crochet, please consider reading HOW TO DO TAPESTRY CROCHET before continuing with this post.

WHAT STITCHES TO USE

When doing One-Directional Tapestry Crochet, using the single crochet back loop only is more common. You can also work with the regular single crochet, but there might be some slanting depending on the design. To prevent/minimize slanting, use the yarn under technique when changing colors.

Below is the Valentine’s Mug Rug worked with single crochet back loop only and regular single crochet.

Single crochet back loop only
Regular single crochet

HOW TO DO ONE-DIRECTIONAL FLAT TAPESTRY CROCHET

We will be learning how to do One-Directional Flat Tapestry Crochet by making this Valentine’s Mug Rug using single crochet back loop only. Please find the free pattern below, gather your yarn and hook and let’s get started!

VALENTINE’S MUG RUG – FREE CROCHET PATTERN

MATERIALS:

  • Lily Sugar’n Cream in two contrasting colors (this is a thicker #4 worsted weight cotton yarn; 113g/4oz, 184m/200yds per ball)
    • Main Color (Ecru) – approx. 14 yards
    • Contrast Color (Wine) – approx. 8.5 yards
  • 4mm crochet hook
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Blocking mat and pins

GAUGE:

  • 2” x 2” = 8 scblo x 7 rows (with inactive color running on top of the work)

MEASUREMENTS:

  • Approx. 4.25″ (H) x 7.75″ (W) – including fringes

ABBREVIATIONS:

  • ch – chain
  • scblo – single crochet back loop only
  • st/sts – stitch/stitches
  • yo – yarn over
  • MC – main color
  • CC – contrast color

TECHNIQUE REQUIRED:

  • Tapestry Crochet

TERMINOLOGY:

  • Standard US Crochet Terms

SKILL LEVEL:

  • Advanced Beginner

SPECIAL STITCH:

  • Single Crochet Back Loop Only: Insert the hook in the back loop only of the designated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on the hook.

NOTES:

  • This mug rug is worked flat in rows in one direction only (from right to left) on the right side (RS) of your work. This means that we won’t be turning at the end of each row. Instead, we will be fastening off and cutting the yarn at the end of each row.
  • Leave a 3″ tail at the beginning and end of each row in each color. These tails will become fringes.
  • Start each row with a slipknot on your hook.
  • Carry CC from the very first st of each row.
  • Gauge is not extremely important in this project. (Gauge is measured with the inactive color running on top of the work, i.e., carrying the inactive color flat along the top of each row.)
  • If you wish to adjust the width of the pattern, add or subtract stitches on each side of the graph. If you wish to adjust the height of the pattern, add or subtract rows to the bottom and top of the graph.
  • The graph is read from right to left (<–). (For more information about HOW TO READ A TAPESTRY CROCHET GRAPH, CLICK HERE.)
  • Each square on the graph = 1 scblo
  • Change colors by pulling the new color through the last two loops on the hook to close the stitch using the yarn under technique instead of the yarn over. (Form more information about HOW TO CHANGE COLORS, CLICK HERE.)
yarn over
Yarn over: Wrap the working yarn around the hook and pull through the loops on the hook.
yarn under
Yarn under: Leave the working yarn in front of the hook and pull through the loops on the hook.
To change colors: Yarn under, pull CC through both loops on the hook to close the stitch.
To change colors: Yarn under, pull MC through both loops on the hook to close the stitch.

GRAPH:

Feel free to download and print the graph for your convenience. You will need to follow this graph to complete the pattern. I will only give written instructions for the first three rounds to help you get started.

Valentine's Mug Rug Graph by Haven Crochet Designs for One-Directional Flat Tapestry Crochet
Valentine’s Mug Rug Free Crochet Pattern by Haven Crochet Designs

INSTRUCTIONS:

Leaving a tail of 3″, ch 18 with MC. Start following the graph.

ROW 1: Leaving a tail of 3″, start carrying and crocheting over CC by laying CC between MC and the hook. Scblo in the second ch from the hook and in each st across (17). Fasten off. Cut both yarns leaving a 3″ tail.

Start carrying and crocheting over CC by laying CC between MC and the hook
Scblo in the second ch from the hook and in each st across (17)

ROW 2: Leaving a tail of 3″, start with a slipknot on the hook with MC. Leaving a tail of 3″, start carrying CC and crocheting over it from the beginning of the row. Scblo in the first st of the previous row and in each of the next 7 sts with MC. Change color to CC using the yarn under technique. Scblo in the next st with CC. Change color to MC using the yarn under technique. Scblo in each of the next 8 sts with MC (17). Fasten off. Cut both yarns leaving a 3″ tail.

Start with a slipknot on the hook with MC. Start carrying CC and crocheting over it from the beginning of the row.
Scblo in the first st of the previous row
Row 1 & 2 completed

ROW 3: Leaving a tail of 3″, start with a slipknot on the hook with MC. Leaving a tail of 3″, start carrying CC and crocheting over it from the beginning of the row. Scblo in the first st of the previous row and in each of the next 6 sts. Change color to CC. Scblo in the next 3 sts with CC. Change color to MC. Scblo in each of the next 7 sts with MC (17). Fasten off. Cut both yarns leaving a 3″ tail.

ROWS 4-14: Continue following the graph. Scblo in each st across, changing colors when needed and carrying the inactive color on the top of the rows at all times. Fasten off and cut yarn at the end of each row.

FINISHING
  • Gather the ends two by two and tie a double knot
  • Trim the ends so you have 2″ of fringes on each side
BLOCKING
  • Block your mug rug
  • If you are using 100% cotton yarn, I suggest steam blocking
Valentine's Mug Rug - How to do flat tapestry crochet
Valentine’s Mug Rug – Free Crochet Pattern by Haven Crochet Designs

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This pattern and associated images are copyright protected and the sole property of Haven Crochet Designs. The pattern is for personal use only and may not be redistributed, transferred, or sold. Please do not alter the pattern in order to claim it as your own. Items produced from my patterns may be sold at your discretion. However, I kindly ask that you credit me as the designer and provide a link back to my site www.havencrohetdesigns.com, or provide my social media handle @havencrochetdesigns. For more details, see Terms and Conditions.