Recycling your old T-shirts into yarn will help you create tons of eco-friendly projects! I love the look and feel of old T-shirts, don’t you?? That means any scarf, rug or hat made with this yarn has that super soft and cozy feel you just can’t buy. You know, that happy kind of feeling from your favorite worn T-shirt.
This is the perfect fall craft! Once you start making yarn you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing this for years. Gather all those T-shirts your children are growing out of and let’s get started.
It’s really rather simple once you get the hang of how you cut up your shirt. One tip…have nice, sharp scissors because you’re cutting two layers of fabric at once.
- Lay your shirt flat on the table and cut straight across right under the arms
- This leaves you a nice big section of T-shirt
- Cut off the bottom hem of the T-shirt
- Fold the T-shirt in toward the side leaving an inch on one side…this will be the top
- Cut the T-shirt into 1 inch strips not going all the way to the top. You want to leave the top inch of the shirt in one piece.
- Once you’re done with all that cutting…take a break and shake, shake, shake your hands. I know they have to hurt by now.
- Now unfold your T-shirt and place the top inch of your fabric flat on the table. Cut on an angle from the first strip to the second creating one long piece of fabric.
Once you have finished all your cutting take small sections and pull your fabric tight. This creates YARN! It’s fun to do and it looks cool when you’re finished.
Now you have T-shirt yarn all ready for a beautiful project or two.
It’s a bit nicer when you have a T-shirt without a side seam but it still works. Once you try it you’ll be collecting old T-shirts just for yarn!
Have you ever made T-shirt yarn? I’d love to hear about it!
~Kim
What a great idea! I’ll definitely try it in the future!
This is really cute! Thank you!
My “old” t-shirts (that I would want to cut up), never look that good! Great idea tho.
I may have to try this. Great tutorial! Here’s a tip: use a rotary cutter and mat with a ruler for easy cutting into strips.
I can’t wait to try this project. My husband has countless old t-shirts that will be perfect for this.
Very Cool – i have made several t-shirts scarfs from strips, but not made just the yarn. Will be trying this!
I do lots of crafting but cant knit. I will be learning fast !!
Thanks for a great tutorial & thanks for sharing
This is so awesome! Totally doing this with all old t’s! GREAT IDEA! 😉
Wait, how do u make it one long string?
If you follow the cutting directions it makes one long strip…pretty cool, isn’t it??? Have fun!
~Kim
Ooohhh! Never mind! Got it!
what size needles or hook do you use –are there any patterns out there that i could access
How much T-shirt yarn do you get out of a (men’s) medium-size T-shirt?
I don’t get it. From what side left or right do you start to cut on an angle?
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This looks like a great idea. Could you give me some ideas of what kinds of things you knit with tee-shirt yarn?
I like to go to thrift stores and look for t-shirts with very unique colours/patterns. Great place to find mens XXXL. I have made many floor mats with this – washes great and when it finally wears out, you can toss it without feeling guilty of the cost spent.
Great idea about the thrift stores…I need to do it!!!
~Kim
SORRY! I still don’t get it. Maybe if I try it it may all make sense. It’s the last step, I don’t know how this can leave one long strip.
Barb,
Once you try it I don’t think you’ll have a problem. And if you do, what have you really lost?
You can start cutting on either side. Just lay it out so you can see the part that is NOT cut up into strips. This is where you will start cutting on an angle. I usually cut from the left so my cut starts on the left side of the bottom strip and goes up to the right side of the next row on the top. It’s kinda hard to explain, but I think it’s super easy once you are doing it. It makes one long strip from your shirt.
I hope you’ll give it a try on an old t-shirt!
~Kim
It also depends on what fabric your shirt is made of. if it is cotton it’ll be thicker than the mixed or stretchy material
Howdy, I got over to your blog page via Digg. Not a thing I normally read through, yet I like your views nonetheless. Thanks for putting together something worthy of reading through!
Just made my cut my first tshirt with your instructions. Worked perfectly! Thanks!
Hi Crystal! That’s awesome! Once you get it…you got it! No more wasted old shirts in your house…lol! Thanks so much for stopping by to let me know you tried it out.
~Kim
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What an awesome idea! Can’t wait to try to make. I just saw cute headbands you make outta it!
I have made Tee shirt yarn and made a few scarves, different styles and I also made trivets with leftover yarn. Oh made them with my fingers; finger knitting. I have so many ideas I want to try so I plan on making some more projects to maybe sell for extra money. I also use yarn to scarf sets; headbands and hand warmers and have them as Xmas gifts last year. MAYBE this year I can make some money. Wish me luck.
Do you have alternate instructions for if I just want to use the back of the t-shirt (and save the designed front for another project)?
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