Miniature DIY Diamond Shag Rug and Chunky Knit Blanket

Time for another dollhouse bookcase update and this time it's all about DIY miniature accessories with yarn. Based on the popular life-size versions, this cozy miniature DIY shag rug and chunky knit blanket were such fun to make for my granddaughter's dollhouse.

Further in the post, I share tutorials on how I made them along with helpful tips, including how to knit with a crochet hook. I also made the fiddle leaf plant with a knit planter cover in the background and I'll be sharing more about it next month.

Miniature DIY Diamond Shag Rug and Chunky Knit Blanket

If this is your first visit to my dollhouse series, you can catch how it all began here with an IKEA Billy Bookcase. In phase two I added Hardwood and Stenciled Dollhouse Floors. Phase three was adding Dollhouse Windows, Flower Boxes and a Front Door. Phase Four was adding Faux Brick, Plaster, and Wallpaper.

Everything in this dollhouse is DIY and made with repurposed finds. On the first Thursday of every month, I post the latest updates. Next month we move onto window treatments and a front porch with hidden doll accessory storage. My granddaughter just turned one so I have lots of time to work on dollhouse projects before she's old enough to play with it.

Handmade Dollhouse Chunky Knit Blanket Throw

I'll start with the cozy handmade miniature chunky knit blanket throw. At first glance, you would assume the blanket is knit like the life-size versions. Many have tried unsuccessfully to teach me how to knit but you put a crochet hook in my hand and I'll go to town.

So when I decided to make the miniature chunky knit blanket, I had to either learn how to knit once and for all or figure out a way to get the look with a crochet hook.

Have you heard of the Tunisian crochet knit stitch? I sure didn't until doing some research online and now I'm hooked (sorry couldn't resist the pun) faking my way through knits and purls.

Barbie kicked off her boots, grabbed a coffee and is enjoying some downtime under her snuggly blanket after a long day at the office.

I made the blanket a 1:1 Scale (8 inches by 9 inches) based on a full-size blanket which is 80 inches by 90 inches.

What you'll need to make it

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Dollhouse Chunky Knit Blanket Supply List

1 skein white chunky blanket yarn
8.0 mm Tunisian crochet hook

Instructions for the dollhouse chunky knit blanket

I used a white chunky blanket yarn in a 50:50 wool/acrylic blend with an 8.0 mm Tunisian crochet hook. You don't want to use anything smaller than 8.0 mm to get the chunky knit.

Tunisian Knit Stitch Instructions

1. Unlike regular crochet, you NEVER turn your work.
2. Always have 20 loops on your hook for the blanket.

Slip stitch yarn onto the hook and chain 20.
Row 1

• The last loop on the hook is the first stitch of row 1.
• Go through the front ONLY on the second loop - yarn over and through - this is your first stitch. 
• You'll have two loops on the hook.
• Through the front only on the third stitch - yarn over and through - now you'll have three loops on the hook.
• Continue until 20 loops are on the hook.

Row 2

• Yarn over into the first loop.
• Yarn over into two loops. You will be dropping one stitch. 
• Yarn over into two loops  - again dropping another stitch. 
• Repeat until 1 loop remains on the hook

Row 3

• Go behind the second long stitch from the hook - through the gap behind the stitch - yarn over and through - two loops will be on the hook.
• Go behind the second long stitch from the hook - through the gap behind the stitch - yarn over and through - three loops will be on the hook.
• Repeat the previous stitch until you reach the last stitch on the hook.
• Go through the last stitch from the previous row (it isn't a long stitch like the others) - yarn over and through - now 20 loops should be on the hook.

Row 4

• Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the blanket is 9 inches long. You want to end on the row 2 pattern with just 1 loop remaining on the hook. 
• Tie off and thread the strand of yarn with a needle through the blanket.

If you are more of a visual learner, I found this Tunisian Knit Stitch video tutorial online that you may find helpful. It sure helped me!

Once you get the hang of it, it is such an easy crochet pattern. If you have any questions about this dollhouse chunky knit blanket, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

Now let's move onto project two, the miniature diamond shag area rug.

Dollhouse Diamond Shag Area Rug

In my 20's I was a hooker (figured that would get your attention) 🤣 of the latch hook rug variety. In search of inexpensive art to hang on my apartment walls, I discovered rug hooking. I would create my own unique designs and hook large rugs to hang on the walls. It was great fun.

I never got rid of my rug hooking tools and decided to put them to good use again by making a miniature rug. Grey and white diamond shag rugs are so popular these days and I figured why not make a miniature version for my granddaughter's dollhouse.

The large rugs I used to make were made in what's called a latch hook design with a latch hook canvas and wooden latch hook. So I set out to use those same tools from my miniature latch hook rug.

In total transparency, I figured I'd have this miniature rug whipped up in an hour - boy was I wrong! The wooden latch hook did not fit through the tiny rigid grids on my plastic canvas. I tried pulling the yarn through with a small crochet hook instead but that didn't work either.

I ended up using a large-eyed blunt needle and it was a great project to do while binge-watching Netflix.

I hope I haven't scared you off because instead of plastic canvas, you could make this rug with a more traditional latch hook canvas and latch hook and have the rug finished lickety-split. I used what I had on hand.

What you'll need to make it

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. At no cost to you, we receive a small commission if you make a purchase.

Dollhouse Diamond Shag Rug Supply List

1 skein white acrylic yarn
1 skein of dark grey acrylic yarn
Option 1: Plastic Canvas and Large Eye Blunt Needle (my version)
Option 2: Latch Hook Canvas and Latch Hook Tool
Yarn Cutter (homemade)
Scissors
Black Marker
Quilting Ruler

Instructions for the dollhouse diamond shag area rug

Like the miniature chunky knit blanket, I made the miniature area rug a 1:1 Scale (8 inches by 10 inches) based on a full-size 8 x 10-foot area rug.

Mapping the diamonds on the canvas

Measure the canvas 8-inches by 10-inches with a clear quilting ruler and cut to size.

Use the 45-degree angle on the quilter's ruler as your guide to map out even squares on a diagonal across the canvas (pictured below).

Cutting the yarn

It's been so long I can't remember if I purchased my yarn cutting tool or if Mr. Frugalista made it. But a piece of cardboard would work too. I cut the yarn in 4-inch long strands (long enough to pull the thread through).

Hooking the yarn onto the canvas

Now, this is where you can do the quicker version with a latch hook or the slow and steady version like I did with a large stitching needle. The choice is yours.

Note that the grids on the traditional latch hook canvas are much larger and so there will be less yarn in each diamond and I'm assuming a less full looking rug. Here is a latch hooking video tutorial I found if you've never used a latch hook before.

Latch hooking with plastic canvas and stitching needle

Work about five rows at a time, following the grid for placement.

I found it easier to hook the grey yarn on the grid marks first and then fill in the diamonds with the white yarn. Check the backside of the canvas as you work to make sure you're staying within the grid.

Thread a strip of yarn through the eye of the needle. Pull the thread through from the top of the canvas and over the grid and back through to the top again. Tie the thread with a simple knot. Considering kids will be playing with this rug, I tied a double knot to secure the yarn.

Pictured below is the backside of the rug after it was finished. You don't have to hook the yarn in the same direction I did - what's important is that you fill the grid with white yarn.

Don't fret if you can't see the diamond pattern on the front side right away, it will become more obvious when you complete the next step.

Give the rug a hair cut

My rug has a 1-inch pile but the choice is yours as to how long you want the shag. The rug will need a hair cut with sharp scissors and you have three options for doing it.

1. Trim each strand as you pull them through.
2. Trim the yarn after every 5-6 rows. 
3. Give the entire rug a hair cut after it's finished.

I used option three to trim my rug and wished I had trimmed each strand as I worked. It may be more tedious but much easier in the long run.

If you have any questions about making the miniature diamond shag rug, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

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