In this quick and easy tutorial, I teach you how to make yarn from recycled t-shirts. Yes, you read that correctly, we are making yarn from recycled t-shirts, so grab your scissors and let's get started!
The perfect alternative to elastic for face masks and sleep masks because it creates a stretchy tie. For a custom fit, make it as tight or loose as is comfortable for you. Making yarn from recycled t-shirts is the perfect medium for a huge variety of other craft projects like knitting, crocheting, weaving, and jewelry, just to name a few.
T-Shirt Yarn a DIY Tutorial
This post, How to Make Yarn from Recycled T-Shirts, may contain affiliate links. Using links to these sites means I may earn a percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you.
Here’s what you need to make yarn from recycled t-shirts:
Here’s how to make stretchy yarn from recycled t-shirts:
STEP ONE – Prepare the T-Shirt
Wash and dry the recycled t-shirts that have been collected from around the house. Layout each shirt on a flat work surface and cut a straight line across the shirt from armpit seam to armpit seam. Then cut off the hemmed bottom of the t-shirt. Set the top section of the shirt aside, we won’t be using this part, but you can recycle it!
STEP TWO – Cut the Shirt
Fold the bottom section of the t-shirt in half from side seam to side seam, leaving approximately one inch of the bottom layer visible at the top. Cut one-inch wide sections of the folded t-shirt, which will crate giant loops. You can measure and mark the strips if you prefer, but I just eye-ball it. The strips don’t have to be completely accurate.
STEP THREE – Cut Strips from the Shirt
I cut 15 loops from an adult size XL t-shirt. Then cut at both folds, so there are two strips that are the width of your t-shirt. My t-shirt yielded 30 stretchy ties measuring one-inch wide by twenty-inches long.
STEP FOUR – Create Yarn from Recycled T-Shirts
Take each strip and gently pull it through your hand at the crook of your thumb and forefinger to get the knit t-shirt fabric to roll. The greater the pressure, the longer and tighter the t-shirt tie will become.
Making yarn from t-shirts is a quick and easy DIY to complete in just about 10 minutes.
Involve the kiddos and turn that forgotten t-shirt into a fun DIY project using supplies that you already have on-hand at home! Get those t-shirts that you can bear to give to charity out of the drawer. Create yarn from recycled t-shirts. Turn that yarn into a keepsake craft project which will be enjoyed for years to come! While stuck at home, create a special gift for a sibling, parent or grandparent.
Create a Simple DIY Sleep Mask with t-shirt yarn!
Want more craft projects made with recycled items? Click HERE for the full list from my site!
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