T-shirt Yarn
In this instructable I'm going to show you how to make the easiest t-shirt yarn ever! I'll also give you some tips and tricks for getting the best t-shirt yarn that you can get.
And it goes very quickly because of the way you'll cut the shirts - you'll be crocheting and braiding in no time!
And it goes very quickly because of the way you'll cut the shirts - you'll be crocheting and braiding in no time!
What You'll Need:
- 100% cotton jersey t-shirts
- scissors or a cutting mat & rotary cutter
Also, make sure the shirts are not ribbed jersey fabric - they will not curl properly. I bought one to try it out and it came out a mess. I'll still use it, but it won't be pretty!
Lay the T-shirt Flat on the Floor and Make the First Cuts
Flatten your shirt on the floor and decide how big you want your strips to be.
I am making strips about 2 inches wide because they make a nice rounded braid, which is what I want for the project I'm making with the yarn. Play around with strip sizes to see what you like best - if you're using the yarn for crocheting instead of braiding you will probably want strips 1 inch wide or less. The strips will shrink by a little over half once we pull them to curl them.
Cut off the hem of the shirt if you want your finished yarn to curl nicely all over. :)
Cut the shirt into strips as shown, stopping a few inches from the top of the shirt. Keep making strips until you reach the armpits of the shirt.
Now the magic happens!
I am making strips about 2 inches wide because they make a nice rounded braid, which is what I want for the project I'm making with the yarn. Play around with strip sizes to see what you like best - if you're using the yarn for crocheting instead of braiding you will probably want strips 1 inch wide or less. The strips will shrink by a little over half once we pull them to curl them.
Cut off the hem of the shirt if you want your finished yarn to curl nicely all over. :)
Cut the shirt into strips as shown, stopping a few inches from the top of the shirt. Keep making strips until you reach the armpits of the shirt.
Now the magic happens!
Make the Final Cuts
We're going to cut from left to right. :)
Grab the cut shirt and rotate it so that you can see the side seam. (see the 3rd photo) Start a few inches below the first slit above the seam, and cut diagonally up to the slit. (photo 4) This is the beginning of your yarn!
Then look at the first slit under the seam. Cut from that slit to the next slit above the seam - you'll be cutting diagonally. The photos will help you here! (photo 5)
Make a diagonal cut from every slit below the seam to the corresponding slit above the seam, always moving to the right. When you get to the end, you'll make a diagonal cut from the last slit below the seam to the edge of the shirt.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this! I could always make a video if it's hard to understand. :D
Grab the cut shirt and rotate it so that you can see the side seam. (see the 3rd photo) Start a few inches below the first slit above the seam, and cut diagonally up to the slit. (photo 4) This is the beginning of your yarn!
Then look at the first slit under the seam. Cut from that slit to the next slit above the seam - you'll be cutting diagonally. The photos will help you here! (photo 5)
Make a diagonal cut from every slit below the seam to the corresponding slit above the seam, always moving to the right. When you get to the end, you'll make a diagonal cut from the last slit below the seam to the edge of the shirt.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this! I could always make a video if it's hard to understand. :D
Pull the Yarn to Make It Curl
Working from one end of the strip to the other, pull it taut between your hands. This is pretty quick and gives the strip a nice finished look!
Now you've got yarn! What'll you do with it? :D
Now you've got yarn! What'll you do with it? :D