Valley Yarns Orleans Rug Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Orleans Rug

What is Being Made

The Orleans Felted Rug is a beginner-friendly floor covering designed by Sara Delaney and inspired by breezy summer days at the beach house. This modern, striped rug is ideal for kitchens, bedsides, or any area of floor that needs visual interest. The finished rug measures approximately 29.5 inches long by 20 inches wide when felted (knit version) or 26.5 inches long by 19.5 inches wide when felted (crochet version).

Techniques Used

Felting is the primary finishing technique that transforms this project into a durable, sturdy fabric. Valley Yarns Northampton wool felts beautifully, creating a solid, interlocked mass of fibers that will withstand years of foot traffic. The felting process significantly reduces the rug's dimensions from its unfelted state—the knit version shrinks from 34 inches long by 23 inches wide, while the crochet version shrinks from 38 inches by 23 inches.

Striped construction is achieved through color changes worked in varying widths throughout the project. The stripe sequence includes repeating patterns of 2 rows, 1 row, 1 row, 4 rows, 1 row, 3 rows, 2 rows, 2 rows, 1 row, and 3 rows, cycling through eight different colors alphabetically.

Worked flat construction allows crafters to easily manage the project and create clean, consistent stripes across the entire rug width.

Stitches Used

Two versions of this pattern are provided, each using different stitches:

• Knit Version: Worked in garter stitch, which creates a textured, reversible fabric that is ideal for felting. Garter stitch is formed by knitting every row, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
• Crochet Version: Worked in single crochet, which produces a dense, compact fabric that also felts beautifully and is equally suitable for beginners.

Both stitches are worked with yarn held doubled throughout the project to achieve the correct gauge and create a fabric substantial enough to withstand regular use as a floor rug.

Materials

Yarn: Valley Yarns Northampton (100% wool, 100 grams per 247 yards) is used exclusively for this project. One skein each of eight colors is required. Version 1 includes colors Sage Heather, Natural, Raspberry Heather, Stratosphere, Medium Grey, Brown Heather, Green Apple, and Lake Heather. Version 2 offers an alternative palette with Dark Navy, Sage Heather, Rust, Bright Pink, Stratosphere, Light Grey, Burgundy, and Brown Heather.

Needles and Hooks: For the knit version, US size 13 (9.00mm) circular needles in 24-inch or 32-inch lengths are required. For the crochet version, a US size K/10.5 (6.50mm) crochet hook is needed. Crafters should select the needle or hook size needed to obtain the specified gauge.

Gauge: The knit version requires 12 stitches and 20 rows to equal 4 inches when measured unfelted with 2 strands held together. The crochet version requires 12 stitches and 9 rows to equal 4 inches unfelted with 2 strands held together. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the rug to reach its intended finished dimensions after felting.