Crocheted rag rug for outdoor porch - cotton or fleece?

Question

I have an outdoor porch with a roof on it, but the concrete gets a little wet when it rains. Both my 2 yr old and dog love to hang out there and watch the cars go by, so I'd like to crochet a big rag rug for where they sit. Is it best to use 100% cotton material cut into 1" strips for the "yarn" - or should I use polyester fleece 1" strips instead? Trying to figure out the best material for outdoors that won't get destroyed if it rains. Actually I'll be happy if it lasts through this summer/fall. Or... do you have some other suggestion?

Answer 1

Either one will work, I much prefer the cotton.  comfortable and easy to care for.  

and by the way , my husband is a cotton farmer!

but that aside, i still prefer cotton......

Answer 2

If there's a chance that there will ever be candles, celebration sparklers and/or fire or embers of any sort, cotton will be safer than the artificial fleece.  It will take a long time to dry when it gets wet though.

Artificial fleece or clean old panty-hose will dry quickly if it gets wet.  I heard of a utility rug that'd been crocheted of pantyhose and replaced with something brighter and the rug consigned to a compost heap.  It was reported to still be in "original" condition after several years *in* the heap.  Barring flame, etc., many of the synthetics will last a long, long, long time.

Answer 3

I'd go with the cotton.

it'll be more comfortable, and will dry faster.  Also, it will probably last longer than you think and quickly become one of your favorite projects until it wears out and you make another one.

Answer 4

Either fiber will work well, but you may want to cut cotton fabric in 3 inch strips (or, actually, find cones of bias tape for this) and fold them with a braiding folder to keep them from fraying).  Fleece, OTOH, will hold it's color better than cotton will in the sun and outdoors.  Because it doesn't fray and is thicker than cotton fabric (unless you have fabric to burn, so to speak) fleece will work up faster and be more *plush* and cushy on the tushy than cotton will.  If the dog is out there, make sure you wash it weekly to keep down doggy odors, too.