How to make your own t-shirt yarn

Published on July 1, 2021 by Jane Gois

Skill Levelbeginner

Project time 1 hours

T-shirt yarn is a brilliant way to repurpose your old tees and turn them into fun crochet and knitting projects. Use the yarn to crochet home decor, kitchen accessories or, why not try your hand at macramé to create plant holders and wonderful wall hangings? Follow along with this simple step-by-step tutorial to see exactly how to make t-shirt yarn as well as inspiration for what to make with your new yarn!

Don't Want to Make Your Own? Shop T-shirt Yarns!

Old t-shirts from your closest or the thrift store (the bigger the better!)
Fabric scissors or rotary cutter

Flatten your shirt so it sits smoothly.

Pro Tip

I had this fun tie-dye t-shirt that one of my kids outgrew and I thought it would make colorful coffee and drinks coasters this summer!

Cut away the bottom hem and just under the sleeves so you are left with a long tubular piece sewn up on both side seams.

cut the hem of your t-shirt and under sleeves

Cut the tube into strips, cutting through one side seam and leaving about a gap of an inch before you reach the second side seam.

Open up the tube so that the un-cut fabric is now laying flat over your hand or on the table.

You will need to cut on the diagonal from one side to the other. The first cut you make will be from one cut strip straight into the edge of the t-shirt. Each cut after that you will cut from strip to the other.

Pro Tip

It’s important you get this step right, so that you get a continuous length of yarn not individual strips.

Keep cutting until you get to the end and you should have a long continuous length of t-shirt ready to be rolled into a ball.

Before you roll it into a ball, if your t-shirt is quite stretchy give the entire length of yarn a gentle pull. Some t-shirt don't have much stretch in them so just leave this step out if its not stretching easily.

And there you go! Now, just roll it all up into a ball, grab your knitting needle or crochet hooks and create a project!

T-shirt yarn projects to make with your new yarn!

Tidy Up Storage Baskets - Free Bag Crochet Pattern For Home in Paintbox Yarns Recycled T-Shirt

Take Me to the Beach Bag

Coasters

How to make macrame plant pot holders

T-Shirt Yarn Potholder

Find More Sustainable Projects to Make

About the Author

Jane Gois

I'm the founder of Tea and Crafting - a cute and tranquil craft room in London's Covent Garden. We host workshops ranging from embroidery, crochet, knitting, water colour, screen printing . . . to candle making, Jesmonite making and silver jewellery and so much more. We also host the most memorable crafty hen parties and baby showers.

Check Out This Month's Hottest Blog Posts!

category:tutorial

Crochet a colorful Moroccan-inspired floor cushion with our fab FREE pattern

Learn how to crochet a Moroccan inspired floor cushion with our easy step-by-step guide...

category:guide

Find the best yarn for the snuggliest blankets

Discover our ultimate guide of best yarns for blankets! Whether it’s knit or crochet, l...

category:tutorial Crochet a colorful Moroccan-inspired floor cushion with our fab FREE pattern

Learn how to crochet a Moroccan inspired floor cushion with our easy step-by-step guide...

category:guide Find the best yarn for the snuggliest blankets

Discover our ultimate guide of best yarns for blankets! Whether it’s knit or crochet, l...

category:guide Find the best yarn for the snuggliest blankets

Discover our ultimate guide of best yarns for blankets! Whether it’s knit or crochet, l...

category:roundup Crochet designers of the month - January

An introduction to some amazing crochet designers and their patterns

category:roundup Embrace the chill with these winter warmers

Beat the winter chill with Eric's top winter-warmer patterns. Will you choose to knit a...

category:guide Knitting in red and pink, from scarlet to cherry blossom

Somewhere between orange and purple sit red and pink, the colors of love, passion and ...

category:roundup Design a Paintbox Yarns color pack and win!

If you’re lacking pinks, blues, purples, and rainbow hues in your stash then you’re in ...

category:roundup Scandi style: Makes that celebrate the art of getting cosy

Knit up a storm with our Scandi-inspired patterns to help you keep cosy this winter!

4 easy crochet gifts for Mother's Day

These four crochet projects are beginner-friendly, use small amounts of yarn, and work ...

category:guide LoveCrafts, the home of Makefulness

We all know that feeling you get when making - that sense of calm, that feeling of acco...

Sustainable yarns + ideas

category:guide Find the best yarn for the snuggliest blankets

Discover our ultimate guide of best yarns for blankets! Whether it’s knit or crochet, l...

category:tutorial Stay cozy with this pomtastic punch needle cushion tutorial

Learn how to make this punch needle cushion. The perfect crafting project if you’re loo...

category:tutorial How to knit a super speedy pumpkin!

Looking for a last minute project for Halloween? Learn how to knit a pumpkin in just a ...

category:guide What is sport weight yarn?

Sport weight yarn falls between fingering weight and DK yarn and is the perfect choice ...

category:tutorial How to create an incredible vintage tiered cake

Learn how to make a vintage tiered cake with our easy step by step tutorial. Find out h...

category:guide Make your own tees for a bachelorette with Cricut Easy Press

Celebrate your bachelorette party with personalised T-shirts! Check out this step-by-st...

category:gift-guide The Handmade Gift Guide for your Little One: The one with the sweetest smile; the mini explorer with a curious mind

Find the perfect present for the little person in your life with our roundup of homemad...

category:tutorial The best ever Victoria sponge cake recipe

Learn how to make the best ever Victoria sponge cake! With this simple Victoria sponge ...

category:guide What is shortening?

Looking to suss out what shortening is all about? New to baking or not, stick with us a...

category:roundup Debbie Bliss shares the story behind her new yarn, British Wool Aran + free hat pattern!

The latest yarn from Debbie Bliss goes on a fantastic, short journey from fleece to yar...

category:tutorial How to sew a simple wall organizer

Learn how to sew a simple wall organiser with Anna Alicia. This is the perfect sewing p...

category:roundup Our favourite skirt sewing patterns for autumn and winter

Stay bang on-trend with the latest skirt sewing patterns for autumn and winter. Think, ...

category:tutorial How to make stickers with Cricut

Looking to make your creative mark or say something sweet? No doubt about it, stickers ...

category:roundup 10 magical mermaid cake ideas

Looking for some magical bake inspiration? Who can resist this siren call! Dive right i...

category:roundup 10 totally fantastic Father’s Day card ideas

Make a handmade card for dad with our fabulous Father’s Day card ideas! We’ve got DIY F...

category:roundup Discover all things NEW at LoveCrafts!

At LoveCrafts, we're always adding new and exciting products to our collection and with...

category:guide The small business toolkit: resources and tools to help you get started!

Take your indie business to the next level with our small business toolkit. We've round...

Introducing Paintbox Yarns Ombré Aran Wool Touch

Ready to add some effortless color shifts to your knitting and crochet? Meet Paintbox Y...

category:roundup 12 A+ teacher thank you card ideas

Show appreciation for your teacher with a homemade teacher thank you card. We’ve rounde...

category:tutorial Meet Emily the Dachshund! Crochet the sweetest spring toy with our tutorial

Follow along with our free tutorial to crochet Emily the Dachshund, the sweet amigurumi...

category:tutorial Learn how to crochet the sweetest giant candy cane!

Crochet the sweetest giant candy cane! This oversized Christmas decoration is the perfe...

category:gift-guide Fun projects for under $5

Looking for a make idea that doesn't break the bank, or sweet Secret Santa homemade gif...

category:tutorial Learn how to make a jolly punch needle Christmas wreath

Learn how to craft this punch needle Christmas wreath. The perfect crafting project to ...

category:tutorial Crochet a delicious donut cushion!

Check out our free crochet donut cushion tutorial. Using the sweet shades of Paintbox Y...

category:guide The ultimate beginners guide to découpage

Master the art of découpage with our découpage guide for beginners! Learn what is décou...

category:roundup Twenty Twenty YOU: Makes to celebrate the everyday and express your authentic self through crafts

For 2022, we're continuing to build our inspiring home for makers. We're encouraging ou...

category:tutorial Learn how to make a fruity punch needle coaster trio

Get summer ready with this fun punch needle coaster trio. Download the FREE pattern and...

category:roundup Let's celebrate life's everyday confetti moments

Here at LoveCrafts we're celebrating these small pockets of joy that we're calling ever...

category:roundup 10 of the luckiest bakes for St Patrick’s Day!

Feeling lucky? These delicious St Patrick’s Day baking ideas are sure to give you the l...

category:tutorial How to make super sensational cocktail cupcakes

Make it a happy hour in the kitchen and cele-bake with cocktail cupcakes! Check out thi...

category:tutorial How to make the perfect drip cake

Looking for a stunningly simple cake design? Decorate your cake with some drip and make...

category:roundup 11 brilliant DIY baby shower decorations

Planning a baby shower? Put a personal stamp on it with our round-up of DIY baby shower...

craft:crochet How we’re supporting our Ukrainian team and practical ways you can help

An update from Edward, our CEO on how we're supporting our Ukrainian team and a list of...

category:roundup 14 super fun finger knitting projects

Explore our roundup of fun finger knitting projects! If you want to try finger knitting...

category:roundup Don’t walk, run! Debbie Bliss introduces new yarn, Super Chunky Merino + a free scarf pattern just for you!

Don't walk, run! Discover the latest yarn to be added to Debbie Bliss' range of sumptou...

category:tutorial Crochet Winston, the cutest amigurumi dog!

If you love puppies, you'll love Winston, a smart little pup from the hook of Rupinder ...

category:roundup 12 extra cute Easter cupcake ideas

What’s better than Easter eggs? Easter cupcakes! From fun carrot cakes to bunny Easter ...

category:tutorial How to create a zesty citrus embroidery

Learn how to create a zesty citrus embroidery packed with lemons, limes and grapefruits...

category:tutorial How to knit stripes in the round

Learn how to knit jogless stripes in the round with our simple step-by-step tutorial. M...

View All Posts