The end result is so soft and fluffy, but you might need to fight the cat for it.

Shag pile rug making is artistic, practical and marvelously easy for kids to do. When I say it’s easy I am not exaggerating because there’s just one technique to master.

Kids can bundle up this project and work on it anywhere – at home, at the beach or in the car. The kids can even bring this project to school for mindfulness sessions.

The shag pile rug can decorate a cold, bare bedroom floor. It can be used as a bathroom floor mat. Or, it can be a lovely, soft bed for your beloved animal friend.

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Note: To create a less dense shag pile try using two lengths of 8 ply yarn together, instead of the three lengths stated in Step 3. Alternatively, to create a dense shag pile while only using a single length of yarn you can use chunky yarn.

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Step 1. Sketch a rug design onto paper. If it’s a small drawing scan it, then print out an enlarged version of the design. Very roughly colour in the enlarged paper design using textas.

Step 2. Place the gridded latch hook canvas over the enlarged colour design. Usingtextas colour in the canvas grid to match the enlarged colour design. Remove the paper design once you’ve finished colouring the canvas grid.

Step 3. Making a single shag pile loop – cut three 15 cm lengths of yarn. Hold the three lengths together and fold over the shaft of the latch hook tool. Push the hook into a grid hole, under a horizontal thread, and up out of the next grid hole. All the while maintaining a hold of the yarns with the same hand that’s holding the latch hook tool. Pull back the latch hook just a little so that the moveable latch is pushed up halfway.

Step 4. Take hold of the yarn ends with your free hand. Wrap the yarns around the latch and into the eye of the hook. Then pull the latch hook back through the loop –as this is happening you will see the latch flip upward, closing the eye of the hook.

Release your hold on the yarn ends as you pull the hook through. You have now looped yarn onto a canvas thread. Continue to latch hook yarn onto more horizontal threads. Change the yarn to match the colour on the gridded canvas. To avoid the grid edges from unravelling keep two grid holes free along all edges of the canvas.

Step 5. When you have finished latch hooking the entire design, flip the canvas over so that you’re looking at the underside. Apply fabric glue to the canvas grid edge of your latch hooked design. When the glue is dry, trim off the excess canvas grid with scissors.