The answer to your question about rag rugs is "yes", I have been cutting strips 1 1/8 inch wide to crochet into rugs forever. I have a great big size 13 crochet hook, and I "speed piece" (sew w/o breaking thread) the ends together, then cut them apart and roll into a ball like yarn, and crochet in a circle or oval until I have a rug for by my front or back door. I used to have one at my kitchen sink, but the kids thought I needed a prettier one, and bought me a semicircle one. I still have one in front of the fridge to catch the drips and the icecubes...lol. They just go in the wash and lay flat to dry! (and llast forever)