I have a friend who wanted me to reproduce a crochet rug that she has. It was a wedding gift and was wearing out. She loves it and had someone reproduce it about 10 years ago. So I’m the 2nd person to remake it. Each rug lasts her about 10 years!  I told her OK, but don't consider myself an expert in crochet, by any means. so I held my breath with what I imagined the rug looked like. I was relieved when it turned out to look fairly simple!
She wanted it duplicated, that was actually not so hard. It was hard not to tweak the pattern. I kept wanting to make it thicker or change the stitches, definitely change the fringe, I wanted more of it, thicker, denser. But no she wanted the same rug.

New rug vs: Original rug, colors were picked out for me to use
It was difficult for me to figure out what stitch this was, I tried a cluster (bobble) stitch, popcorn and finally found a video explaining the differences between them! I had never done the puff stitch.
The difference between puff, bobble and popcorn stitch.
Thank you Bella Coco for making this helpful video!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct3TvXeHCkc
I finally found a pattern with a puff stitch. Bingo, we were in business. This puff stitch makes the rug nice and cushy on the feet. We picked out Red Heart 100% Acrylic yarn for easy care (that is what the original one was made in and what she wanted again) I’m giving her a copy of the pattern for 10 years from now, in case I’m not around, or if I am I probably won’t remember what I did.

Original rug                                       close up of original center                   My reproduction, the beginning
Pattern that I used is linked below, Thank you charissapraydesigns.com, for sharing! The only thing I did different was make it bigger to match the original rug and add the fringe that she wanted. Her rug had lasted in front of her toilet for 15 years so I think it can be considered a sturdy rug. This pattern calls for a cotton/acrylic blend chunky yarn. I would try that if I was making it for myself.


Trying to make sure it is the same size!             Getting bigger!
Rug pattern: (link)