Making T-Yarn from Recycled Tee-Shirts
This is a tutorial on how to make T-yarn from old recycled tee-shirts. T-yarn maybe a new term to you. T-yarn or Tarn is what the yarn is being called that is made from cutting t-shirts into strips for crafting.
The best t-shirts are ones that do not have side seams as you can cut around and around starting at the bottom. First cut off the hem and then with a sharp pair of scissors cut strips about 1/2″ to 3/4″ wide. Cut in one continuous strip as I have shown here.
All photos are clickable to supersize them
I stopped at the armhole openings as this was the end of my continuous strip that is completely one piece cut in rounds. You can cut off the sleeves and start another continuous strip at this point but it’s not as smooth as the main body because you will have curves in your strip where you have to turn the corners.
To create the circular T-yarn, you gently pull on the strip. I found the best way to do this is by taking a short length about 1-2 feet long and stretching it. The stretching causes the tee-shirt strip to turn in on itself thus creating your rounded T-yarn. One important warning is not to pull too hard otherwise the strip breaks. I did have this happen on my first attempts so be advised to gently pull on the strip until it won’t stretch any further. Then you move to the next section of your strand and stretch it again. Continue stretching your strip until the whole long continuous strand has been stretched and is curled as shown in the photo.
Click to supersize
Here is a small sample of what the curled T-yarn looks like when you crochet with it. It’s smooth to work with and has a nice finished look. You can either crochet or knit with the recycled yarn that has been created. This circular T-yarn would make excellent potholders, trivets and of course is perfect for a recycled tote bag. One large tee-shirt netted about 90 yards of T-yarn once stretched. So grab your crochet hook or knitting needles and experiment with this recycled material to create some wonderful eco craft projects.
Tags: creating-tyarn, t-yarn, tarn, tee-shirt yarn
June 5, 2009
Oh my, Cindy, this is fantastic! I am going to try this as soon as I can rifle through some things and find an old t-shirt.
Looks much easier to work with than plarn, and I’m sure just as sturdy. Once it is rolled into itself and then crocheted, does it have any stiffness to it, or is it pretty flexible?
Marie Anne’s last blog post..Am I Hallucinating?
June 5, 2009
Oh yea, I just ‘tweeted’ this link on twitter. Hope it gets you a few hits!
Marie Anne’s last blog post..Am I Hallucinating?
June 5, 2009
@Marie Anne,
The yarn created from T-shirts is still soft and easy to work with. It is not stiff and is very flexible. I hope you will try a project with the t-yarn.
June 6, 2009
WOW what a great idea. I should totally do that so I can whip up a pillow in a hurry. Great job so far can’t wait to see the finally project.:)
Lesalicious’s last blog post..Before and After (Couch and Chair Remodel)
June 9, 2009
Great instructions! I just posted on my blog what to do with the rest of the t-shirt.
http://textiles4you.blogspot.com/2009/06/grandmas-flower-garden-out-of-t-shirts.html
June 11, 2009
[...] I just came across a blog with instruction on making T-Yarn or tarn as she calls it. Isn’t that neat? And look at the cute things she makes with it; trivets, [...]
June 21, 2009
This looks simplier than using plastic bags although I did make a door mat once. I have tons of old t shirts and can pick up more at yard sales for cheap. Great bag patterns too. THANKS!
July 2, 2009
I’m going to try this too. This is really cool. I wonder if the way I cut plastic bags might also cut t-shirts easily. I think it would save time.
Mary Anne – OMG! yard sales.
Recently I picked up a potholder loop kit to do with my kids. There was a book which had patterns and polyester loops for about 8 potholders. I made more than my daughter made because I was excited to try out the patterns. It turns out those things melt in high heat. I bought a bag of cotton loops and they are very hard to work with but make better potholders. I wonder if old t-shirts could be used somehow…
July 2, 2009
OK – you’ve given me another project!
I’ve got a pile of tee shirts that the whole family uses for nightshirts. That pile is going to get smaller now.
Thanks!
CrochetDad’s last blog post..We’re gonig to the Fair!
July 14, 2009
Absolutely, fantastic! I’m so excited about this technique. I can’t wait to try this. I was just looking at some t-shirts and thought of turning them into dust rags. But I crochet more than I dust. lol Thanks so much for this lesson.
October 24, 2009
I just made my first ball of t yarn out of a cool colored mismade green t shirt a friend left at my house before he moved away