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T-Shirt Yarn {DIY}

By Kim Layton 30 Comments

T-shirt Yarn DIY on EverythingEtsy.com

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.

T-Shirt Yarn {DIY} - Make It!

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.Making T-Shirt Yarn - EverythingEtsy.com

  • 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.

T-Shirt Yarn

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.

T-shirt Yarn DIY

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

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Filed Under: Tutorials Tagged With: Crochet, diy, how to, knit, make, T-Shirt Yarn, Tutorial, yarn

Comments

  1. Anna says

    October 8, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    What a great idea! I’ll definitely try it in the future!

    Reply
  2. F. K. says

    October 8, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    This is really cute! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Tricia says

    October 8, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    My “old” t-shirts (that I would want to cut up), never look that good! Great idea tho.

    Reply
  4. Ewenique says

    October 8, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    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.

    Reply
  5. farragio says

    October 9, 2013 at 3:32 pm

    I can’t wait to try this project. My husband has countless old t-shirts that will be perfect for this.

    Reply
  6. Angie says

    October 10, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    Very Cool – i have made several t-shirts scarfs from strips, but not made just the yarn. Will be trying this!

    Reply
  7. Tink says

    October 12, 2013 at 8:11 am

    I do lots of crafting but cant knit. I will be learning fast !!
    Thanks for a great tutorial & thanks for sharing

    Reply
  8. craftygurl says

    October 19, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    This is so awesome! Totally doing this with all old t’s! GREAT IDEA! 😉

    Reply
  9. graciegu says

    October 19, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    Wait, how do u make it one long string?

    Reply
    • Kim Layton says

      October 19, 2013 at 1:54 pm

      If you follow the cutting directions it makes one long strip…pretty cool, isn’t it??? Have fun!

      ~Kim

      Reply
  10. graciegu says

    October 19, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    Ooohhh! Never mind! Got it!

    Reply
  11. laurie king says

    October 20, 2013 at 11:59 am

    what size needles or hook do you use –are there any patterns out there that i could access

    Reply
  12. Justathot says

    October 20, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    How much T-shirt yarn do you get out of a (men’s) medium-size T-shirt?

    Reply
  13. Marsha Foley says

    October 20, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    I don’t get it. From what side left or right do you start to cut on an angle?
    \

    Reply
  14. Sue says

    October 20, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    This looks like a great idea. Could you give me some ideas of what kinds of things you knit with tee-shirt yarn?

    Reply
  15. Kim says

    October 20, 2013 at 11:20 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Kim Layton says

      October 21, 2013 at 5:18 pm

      Great idea about the thrift stores…I need to do it!!!

      ~Kim

      Reply
  16. Barb says

    October 21, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Kim Layton says

      October 21, 2013 at 5:26 pm

      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

      Reply
  17. Sara @ Content in the Meantime says

    October 23, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    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

    Reply
  18. clothing sale says

    December 5, 2013 at 5:38 pm

    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!

    Reply
  19. Crystal Wall says

    September 16, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    Just made my cut my first tshirt with your instructions. Worked perfectly! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kim Layton says

      September 20, 2014 at 3:12 pm

      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

      Reply
  20. Finn says

    July 31, 2015 at 12:40 am

    I am really pleased to read this website posts which contains plenty of helpful facts,
    thanks for providing such statistics.

    Reply
  21. Jennifer says

    January 22, 2016 at 3:23 pm

    What an awesome idea! Can’t wait to try to make. I just saw cute headbands you make outta it!

    Reply
  22. Maria says

    September 25, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    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.

    Reply
  23. CG says

    January 19, 2018 at 2:56 pm

    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)?

    Reply
  24. hashtags says

    February 26, 2018 at 4:29 am

    Hello friends, pleasant piece of writing and
    good urging commented at this place, I am really enjoying by these.

    Reply
  25. golu dolls says

    August 15, 2018 at 2:54 am

    looking good

    Reply
  26. kanchipuram sarees says

    August 15, 2018 at 2:54 am

    nice post

    Reply
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