a recipe for t-shirt yarn

 

The weather has been glorious--breezy and warm with more than enough sun--and even I can't complain. So we've moved our workspace outside for as much of the day as possible.

 

 

Crafty cherubs are usually nearby begging to participate as crafty cherubs do. Like yesterday when we cut up old t-shirts, mine for 'yarn' and theirs for the pure joy of happy mess making. (Soren's first project was both useful and creative, as he told me, a 'man shirt' which looked like he had just come from an important battle. What boy wouldn't want one of these?)

I've recently become addicted to yoga and am ashamed to go to another class with my yoga mat tucked awkwardly under my arm. I mean, what kind of crafter would I be if I didn't whip up a yoga mat bag pronto? So, yesterday out came the t-shirts and yet another project was quickly underway.

 

To make your own t-shirt yarn, first gather up old t-shirts in lots of fun colors. (Make sure the body of the t-shirts have no side seams.) Lay the t-shirts out flat and cut off the bottom hem. Then begin to cut a continuous 1-inch strip horizontally all the way around and up the t-shirt until you reach the arm holes. Think of peeling an apple in one continuous piece, only you're starting from the bottom of the shirt. This is not an exact science and there is plenty of room for error, thank goodness.

 

An hour or so later, you'll end up with a sore hand and a lovely pile of fabric strips. But wait: the real magic comes next. Beginning at one end of your strip and taking a small portion at a time pull on the fabric until the edges begin to curl. Continue to work your way along the entire length of the strip. Because I'll be making a bag to hold a heavy yoga mat and don't want too much give, I kept pulling until most of the stretch from the knit was pulled out. The kids can even help with this part. Then presto: yarn!

 

Beautiful yarn that you can roll into colorful balls to play with! Oh yeah, and eventually knit or crochet with. A tried and true recipe for a most satisfying afternoon of crafting.

 

Comments

[Corvus]

That looks fantastic! I've been thinking to do something like that lately and use scrap wood and nails to make a long scarf-sized loom, then make woven t-shirt scarves. I think it'd be really fun.

Can't wait to see the yoga mat bag!

[lorren havens]

You are so creative, Debra. Your kids look like they are having a blast, too.

[Katy]

Great post! Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

[Britta]

As always--- what a great project! I still need to learn to crochet... then a whole new world of craft opportunities will open up!

[Janette]

I have seen things made of that yarn before and always always wondered how the yarn was made - oh you have opened up a whole new world for me now. Will be having a hun through all our wardrobes this afternoon now. I foresee a weekend of yarnmaking ahead of me -pure joy. xx

[Jackie Sue Davis]

Oh we need more! Love it, show us more!
*HUGS*
Jackie

[kitty joe]

this sounds great I look fordward to trying it.

[Hashi]

Nice! check out my blog for what I've been doing with old t-shirts lately! I have a big workplace so I am soliciting donations ...

[sara]

Now that is cool! I am now going to have to ask all of my family to donate their old t-shirts to my craft pile. :D

[Rebekah Hoover]

This is a very cool idea! I will have to try this. Have a great night Rebekah.