Upcycling: T-shirt Yarn

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Instead of tossing out those old t-shirts or sending them to the charity shop, add to your yarn stash by turning them into t-shirt yarn. Perfect for a variety of projects and fun to make in itself, this technique is a great addition to any crafter’s knowledge.

Things you’ll need:
T-shirt
Scissors
Ruler

Things to do:
1. Cut the t-shirt off just under the armpits so that you have one large rectangle. T-shirts with no side seams work best, but any shirt will do.
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2. With one folded edge facing away from you, fold the other almost up to meet it, leaving 1 inch of shirt uncovered. Fold the end closest to you up again to meet the same edge.
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3. Using your ruler as a guide, cut strips through the layers, stopping short at that 1 inch of fabric that hasn’t been covered with the layers. Cut all along the t-shirt to the other edge so that you have a row of strips connected at the top.
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4. Open up the fabric so that the uncut area is in front of you. Cut from one strip to another at an angle to create one long continues strip. Trim the ends to create one long strip of fabric.
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5. Starting at one end, tug firmly on the fabric. Pulling will lengthen and curl the jersey fabric to create a yarn like material. Work down the length of the fabric until you have pulled” the whole strip.
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6. Roll into a ball as you would yarn, ready for use.

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13 Comments

  1. This also works great this way. Cut T-shirt bottom into large square, Use a plate to mark and cut the corners off the square. then cut the strips around, and around, and around the circle from outside edge all the way to the middle. this way you get 2 very long strips. quite easy to do. I discovered this from your 1st post. trying to figure out how to end up with the longest strips. hope you like this.
    http://www.leosland.info

  4. Love this. I’m so frugal that I wouldn’t be able to toss the upper part of the t-shirt. Eagerly waiting for your ideas on upcycling that piece.

    1. I would add another piece of stretchy fabric and then a little. slightly gathered skirt to the bottom of what is left of the shirt!

      1. Thanks Rene. I like that Idea. I also thought about using whats left of the t-shirt in baby bibs or dishcloths.

  5. The strips look to be about 1 inch wide. Has anyone tried this with 1/2 strips? How did it work?

  7. When I pull the fabric doe sit matter if I go along witht he weave of the fabric? I tested this with a knit tshirt first and it never rolled.

    1. How thick did you cut your strips Erin? Try cutting them at a minimum of 15mm wide or wider, this may be your issue. Please let me know if this works for you!

  8. I cut the strips at least 20-25 mm. Im thinking it was the type of fabric of that particular shirt that I tried to use, so I used those for the weft of the t shirt rug I was weaving. I have been successful with other shirts to make the yarn! Thanks!

    1. Oh awesome! Thanks for letting me know. Im so glad you figured out the issue! Enjoy and happy crafting!

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