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!

Step 1: What You'll Need:

• 100% cotton jersey t-shirts
• scissors or a cutting mat & rotary cutter

Make sure that the shirts you're using are cotton jersey (preferably 95% or more!) and not any crazy blend of fabrics. Lycra makes horrible t-shirt yarn, as does modal. Polyester and cotton blends seems to work fine though! I had one of those in my stack and it worked just as well as cotton - not sure why. :)

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!

Step 2: 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!

Step 3: 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

Step 4: 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

Comments

[Atrost7]

Thanks for sharing about making yarn & baskets. I am totally new to using t-shirt yarn. I want to make a basket. I have my strips of material cut. How many feet of material is needed to make a basket like in your picture? Or how many feet of braid? Any ideas will help. Thanks!

[emilyvanleemput]

I finally made it :)
Not with a t-shirt, but with an old pair of pajama pants
It works fine :D

[NathanM2468]

do you cut them the same ?

[dridenh1]

I use worn out sheets..........mercy, what a lot of yarn/thread!! LOL!! Had to buy new scissors and/or sharpen the old ones. @@

A person might try braiding the strands, too.....then sewing them into coils like the old-timey rag rugs if you didn't own the larger hooks.....I've got sizes L, M, N, P and Q.

[NathanM2468]

Thanks for the clear instructions I hope to make a few baskets and rugs.

[EvelynJ9]

I need the video

[CarolynY8]

how would you do this if you bought jersey material that t- shirts are made from I would appreciate it very much if you can help me thank you

[Showerrug]

I would love a video. So want to make a rug!!! ?

[sprogmom]

Thank you for this tutorial! I have a question. Any idea how far one t-shirt goes? I'm looking at a pattern for a cat cave (it's super cute, like a basket, but closed on top with a hole on the side for the kitties). It requires 2.5lbs of tshirt yarn. I have no idea how many shirts that equals. Can you help, before I go under- or over-buying shirts for my project?

[Lavoz24]

I know I'm a few years behind and you probably have your answer but out of a small tshirt, if I'm cutting it 1/2"-1" I get about 20-24yrds. Cutting it 2" gives me about 10-12yrds. Ive been blessed when it comes to finding big shirt sizes (3xl-7xl black & white) in my area's thrift and second hand stores so you could imagine how many yards I get when I cut 1/2" up to 2" lengths of yarn.

[maddy28574]

made my pwn yarn haha

[emunahmakes]

Way awesome, as always Jessy ;) thank you

[teachpad]

You are right! It is magic, and amazing!

[pupetta1]

I love the instructions. But I have a question regarding the type of T-shirt I can use. Can I use a T-shirt that has side seams? Thanks for sharing.

[Boppylop]

my only problem is with the seam. the threads that make up the seam pull apart, leaving me with severed yarn. please help!

[h10134g]

Hey, another way to make it clearer might be to draw/otherwise mark in where you cut (say in the 3rd photo of step 3), I think that would make it much clearer.
That said, Thanks for the instructable, I've been trying to work out how to get continuous for ages! :-)

[mom2A]

Thanks, step 3 was a little confusing with the pictures, would it be possible if you can make a video? Appreciate you taking the time to do this.

[jessyratfink]

I keep meaning to make a video and never finding the time. :P

This is a video that I think explains it pretty well though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3xJ_W6vYN4

[pbrux]

Loving the tshirt yarn.

I actually buy the 100% cotton fabric by the yard, gives more room to work with. Super cheap (I live in MexCity, so no JoAnn prices, I mean REALLY cheap).

Funny actually, I've been playing with it for the last days, making scarves for meh friends, and lord, when I say fun, I mean FUN!! (although, my index finger is numb from all the snip snipping, bummer).

Oh, I didn't know that pulling it curls it. I thought it was something that just happened, I love it, thanks for the tip!!!

[reganbella]

Thank you so much! Your instructable was great! I get the part about cutting now. I am going to make your basket after I'm done the yarn.