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DIY home decor

How to Weave a Hula Hoop Rug from T-Shirts

Make a round T-shirt rag rug using a hula hoop as a temporary loom. Learn how to prepare the loops, set up an odd effective number of spokes, weave with even tension, and finish the edge.

By ThatPainter Team 5 min read
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Turn old T-shirts into a round rag rug by stretching shirt loops across a hula hoop to make a temporary loom, then weaving more loops over and under the spokes from the center outward. Use an odd effective number of spokes, pack each round snugly without pulling tight, and finish several inches before the hoop.

The North Shore Community Resources handbook describes a 32-inch hoop and estimates 8–10 large T-shirts for its example project; other projects may need more or less depending on shirt size and fabric. Treat these as starting estimates, not guarantees.

What you’ll make

You’ll make a round T-shirt rag rug using the hoop as a circular frame. The hoop supports the warp—the spokes stretched across it—while additional T-shirt loops form the weft woven around those spokes.

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Materials and tools

  • A large, sturdy hula hoop; a 32-inch hoop is one documented example
  • Scissors
  • Approximately 8–10 large T-shirts for the example project; have extra fabric available if your shirts are smaller or you want a larger rug
  • Optional: a marker to identify the special doubled warp spoke

Use old shirts where possible. Shirt size, fabric stretch, hoop diameter, and the finished rug’s size all affect how much material you need. One alternate tutorial estimate is about 130 yards of T-shirt yarn or roughly 12 shirts for weaving, in addition to fabric for the loom, so quantities vary.

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1. Prepare the T-shirt loops

  1. Lay a T-shirt flat and cut off its bottom hem.
  2. Cut across the shirt body into loops approximately 1 inch wide.
  3. Check that a loop stretches across the hoop before using it as a warp spoke. Choose longer loops for the spokes if needed.
  4. Set aside additional loops for weaving. Remove bulky hems where practical.

Cut consistently sized loops when possible. Fabric stretch and thickness vary, so use even tension as you work rather than relying on a precise amount of yarn.

2. Build the hoop loom

  1. Stretch one T-shirt loop over the hoop.
  2. Add loops across the hoop, placing each new loop perpendicular to the previous ones, until there are 11 loops across the frame.
  3. Push two neighboring loops together so they act as one warp. This creates an odd effective number of spokes, which lets the over-under pattern alternate on successive rounds.
  4. Keep the loops evenly spaced and mark the doubled pair if that will help you keep track of it.

Near the center, treat the warp loops as single spokes. The paired setup helps maintain the alternating weave as you work around the frame.

3. Weave from the center

  1. Start a weft loop at the center by wrapping it around a warp and pulling its end through its own loop to secure it.
  2. Continue outward, alternating over and under each spoke.
  3. After each circuit, push the new round toward the center so it sits snugly against the previous one.
  4. Keep the tension even and comfortable; do not pull hard enough to distort the spokes or rug.
  5. When a weft loop runs out, connect another by threading the new loop through the previous loop, then passing its end through itself.

Watch the over-under sequence as you weave. If you skip a spoke or change the sequence accidentally, pause and check the previous round before continuing.

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4. Separate the warp as the rug grows

At around 14 circles, or when the rug is approximately 8–10 inches across, begin treating the warp loops as individual spokes instead of as pairs. Preserve the doubled pair that maintains the odd effective spoke count, and keep track of it as you weave.

The added space between individual spokes helps the expanding rug continue to follow the over-under pattern. Keep packing the weft snugly, but avoid pulling it tight.

5. Control tension and shape

Check the rug’s shape regularly as you work. The handbook warns that excessive tension can produce lumps and curves instead of a flat rug.

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  • If the rug develops lumps or curves: ease the tension and check that the rounds are packed evenly.
  • If gaps appear: make sure you have not skipped a spoke or changed the over-under sequence.
  • If the warp shifts: pause and rebalance the loops on the hoop before weaving further.

Use available shirt colors to create stripes or rings. Finish a round before changing colors when practical, and join new weft loops with the loop-through-loop method.

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6. Finish the rug

Stop weaving at least 4 inches short of the hoop so you have room to tie off the spokes.

  1. Cut the final weft loop and tie it around the nearest warp.
  2. Cut each warp loop from the hoop one at a time.
  3. Knot the freed warp ends in pairs against the rug edge.
  4. Trim the ends for short fringe or leave them longer for a tasseled edge.
  5. Remove the rug from the hoop, which can be reused for another project.

Keep the knots secure without pulling the edge out of shape. If the edge puckers, loosen and retie the affected knots.

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Care and realistic use

This hand-woven rug’s durability depends on its fabric, weave, and knots. Check the care labels on the source shirts and choose a cleaning method that suits those fabrics. Let the rug dry thoroughly after washing.

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Troubleshooting checklist

Problem Likely cause What to check
The rug has lumps or curves The weft may be pulled too tightly or packed unevenly Ease the tension and pack rounds evenly.
The weave has gaps A spoke may have been skipped, or the over-under sequence changed Check the previous round and follow the alternating sequence.
The warp shifts on the hoop Loops may be unevenly spaced Pause and rebalance the loops before continuing.
A weft loop runs out The available loop is too short to finish the round Connect another loop by threading it through the previous loop and back through itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many T-shirts do I need for a hula hoop rug?

The North Shore Community Resources handbook estimates 8–10 large T-shirts for its example project. Another tutorial suggests about 12 shirts, or approximately 130 yards of T-shirt yarn for weaving, so the amount depends on shirt size and rug dimensions.

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What size hula hoop should I use?

A 32-inch hoop is one documented example. A large, sturdy hoop is the key requirement; the finished rug size depends on how far you weave toward the hoop.

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Why does the warp need an odd number of spokes?

An odd effective spoke count lets the over-under sequence alternate on successive rounds. In this setup, two loops are pushed together to act as one spoke.

How do I keep the rug flat?

Keep the weft snug and evenly packed, but do not pull it tight. The handbook cautions that excessive tension can cause lumps and curves.

When should I stop weaving and finish the edge?

Stop at least 4 inches short of the hoop. That leaves room to cut the warp loops free and knot their ends in pairs at the rug edge.

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The Bottom Line

Use 11 loops across a sturdy hoop, combine two loops as one warp to create an odd effective spoke count, and weave over and under from the center outward. Pack the rounds snugly without pulling tight, then stop at least 4 inches before the hoop and knot the warp ends in pairs.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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