From the page: The tire has incredible second lives
Idea 9
Rope rug wrapped around a tire
Wrapping rope around circular structures is an ancient basketry technique, adapted by artisans who discovered in the tire the perfect base for floor rugs. It works because the tire gives firmness and the rope, wrapped in a very tight spiral, forms a dense, soft surface that withstands footsteps for years.
What you need
- One thin tire (from a small car), clean and dry
- Sisal or jute rope or t-shirt yarn — about 50 to 80 meters
- Hot glue or contact cement
- Strong scissors
- Measuring tape
How to make it
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1
Clean the tire and remove any oily residue with alcohol — a greasy surface makes the rope come loose over time.
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2
Apply a line of hot glue on the tire's sidewall and fix the rope end there, starting at the outer edge — the spiral always grows from the outside in.
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3
Wrap the rope around the tire's sidewall, row after row tightly together, gluing every few loops — the contact between the rows is what keeps the base from showing through.
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4
Once the sidewall is covered, start the spiral on the top face: glue the rope in circles that coil toward the center — each loop glues onto the previous one, forming a solid disk.
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5
Cut the rope, tuck the end under the last loop and finish with a generous layer of glue — the loose end is the only spot that unravels with use.
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6
Repeat the spiral on the other face if you want to use both sides, or leave the rubber base facing the floor — two covered sides double the rug's lifespan.
Finishing touches
Alternate yarns of different colors in the spiral to draw concentric circles, a gorgeous effect in an outdoor area or on a porch. In very rainy regions, prefer sisal or jute, which dry fast and do not get moldy.
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