HOW TO cut continuous t-shirt yarn
T-shirt yarn (tarn) is quick and easy to make. It can be used in an endless array of projects. Try to using it in crochet, weaving a bath matt, or making a trendy scarf. I’ve used it to create a macrame throw.
In the macramé t-hsirt throw tutorial I recommend cutting multiple strips from t-shirts. This gives you strands that are shorter and thus easier to work with, but there’s a tradeoff. As those strands get shorter you have to attach new strands. The point of connection will leave you with a less finished look. Cutting continuous t-shirt yarn, is an optional technique you can use to make your macramé t-shirt throw a bit more finished.
If you use a longer strand you’ll have less of these connection points. Working with longer strands will still be more cumbersome than working with short strands, even if you spool them. You’ll just have decide what’s more important – having more consistent knots or having strands that are easier work with. Just so you know, I went with shorter stands for the throw I made for Nate Berkus and used the single stitch joining method.
Supplies
1 cotton jersey t-shirts (To make this a true upcycling project use shirts that can’t be worn or donated to charity. You can start the throw with 1 t-shirt, but you can add more t-shirts as you acquire them to make the throw bigger.)
1 ruler
1 pair of scissors
rotary cutter or X-Acto knife
How-To
- Fold your t-shirt, by bringing the right edge of the shirt, which is closest to you, towards the left edge of the shirt, which is farther from you. Don’t bring them together all the way. Leave about 2” of space between them.
- Smooth out your shirt as much a possible. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but large creases can give your strips jagged, inconsistent edges.
- Cut off the bottom hem.
- Cut 1 ½” wide strips. Starting the cut from the right edge of the shirt down to the folded side. Notice the strip is still attached, because we left a 2” allowance between the right and left sides of the shirt.
- Continue cutting out the rest of the strips.
- When you reach the sleeves. Start your cut from the left edge of the shirt this time to fully separate it from the remaining portion.
- Open up the shirt and insert your hand through all the loops. Notice the right slit and the left slit.
- Cut towards the left slit diagonally from the outer edge.
- Now starting from the right slit cut diagonally towards left slit.
- Repeat this until all the left slits have been cut.
- For the last cut, start from the right slit and cut towards the outer edge.
- Stretch the t-shirt strand to curl in the edges. Be careful to make sure the edges curl in evenly. To ensure, this untwist the strand before stretching.
- Stretch the t-shirt yarn a second time going in the opposite direction to ensure it’s fully stretched and curled.
Useful tips
- This technique can also be used with plastic bags to make plarn or plastic yarn, with the exception that you won’t need to stretch the plastic bag to finish it.
- Not sure what else to make with your tarn? Here are a few projects you can try.
my macrame throw
Ellen’s woven pillow
Delia’s easy braided d-ring belt
Deanna’s no sew braided rug
Linda’s puffy pom-poms
Molly’s very simple shag rug
Special thanks to:
Doris, Scott, Sara
Pin It80 Responses to “HOW TO cut continuous t-shirt yarn”
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21. Mar, 2012
[...] I was browsing on Pinterest and I’ve seen loads and loads of T-shirt upcycle projects. One being T-shirt Yarn . I love to crochet and knit so of course I had to check this out. Then I came across some really [...]
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30. Mar, 2012
[...] primero: cortar las camisetas en tiras, podéis ver como se hace aquí. Cuando tengas los ovillos, si lo prefieres, puedes teñirlos a tu gusto, como los de la imagen de [...]
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23. May, 2012
[...] Recycle and old t-shirt and learn how to cut continuous t-shirt yarn at Releve Design. [...]
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08. Jun, 2012
[...] Hier habe ich eine super Anleitung gefunden, wie man aus einem T-Shirt dickes Garn machen kann. Das Garn kannst du später benutzen um Körbe, Sitzpuffs oder Badematten zu stricken. [...]
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13. Jun, 2012
[...] relevedesign.com via MayaB on [...]
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18. Jun, 2012
[...] myself. I found a great online video giving detailed directions on how to make t-shirt yarn by Releve Design, which works perfectly for making layered t-shirt scarves. The only difficulty I faced with this [...]
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07. Aug, 2012
[...] so it appears to be more woven than knitted. For my own experimenting I was inspired by this how to to try turning a pile of my mum’s old t-shirts into something new. Cutting t-shirts into [...]
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08. Aug, 2012
[...] your favorite tee) continuous yarn that you can then use to crochet, knit or knot. Check out this video tutorial by Relevé Design to learn [...]
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07. Sep, 2012
[...] Or how about tee-shirt yarn! You can crochet or knit with it. Make your own throw rugs or hats? The instructions along with a video tutorial can be found here: http://www.relevedesign.com/how-to-cut-continuous-t-shirt-yarn/ [...]
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26. Nov, 2012
[...] own continuous t-shirt yarn, with which you can make numerous other projects. Substitute it for regular yarn used to crochet, [...]
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30. Dec, 2012
[...] happened to have an entire stash of old T-shirts just begging to be re-purposed so we found this wonderful tutorial and began slicing [...]
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14. Jan, 2013
[...] already plan on making some t-shirt yarn and making a no-sew halter (or more than one, if it turns out great!), to put away for [...]
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06. Jun, 2013
[...] your favorite tee) continuous yarn that you can then use to crochet, knit or knot. Check out this video tutorial by Relevé Design to learn [...]
Is there a way to get a picture of this technique sent to me. I am not quite getting it.
Thanks
OH NO, Cindy! Let’s see if we can get you started! Would you mind telling me where you getting stuck? Check out the video, if you haven’t done so already. I walk you through step by step through the entire process. You can also pause the video at any point to take a closer look. Thanks for writing!
Hi,
That was a wonderful video. I always had trouble cutting even T-shirt strips. Now this has helped me a lot.
Regards,
Resmi
I’m so glad I was able to help you. Thanks for visiting and for writing, Resmi!
this is wonderful! it’s going to save me sooo much time on my crocheted tshirt run I am working on for my kitchen.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
YAY! That’s great! I’m so glad I could save you some time! Thanks for visiting me and writing, Sylvia!
Do you have a picture of the finished project? Did I miss it somewhere?
Thanks! Can’t wait to try this!
Hi Kelli! I made the t-shirt yarn tutorial as a supplement to the my “HOW TO make a macrame t-shirt throw” I came up with the project for Nate Berkus, which reminds me…I need to post up that episode on here. Thanks for visiting me and for writing!
Nice, clear video–thank you for this very complete explanation! I hadn’t thought of the stretch & curl step, which makes all the difference in the final product.
Hi Teaf5! Gosh, you’re more than welcome. I love the stretch and curl step myself. I find it very satisfying, like popping bubble wrap.
Thank you so much for visiting, watching the video, and commenting! I truly appreciate it!
Thank you for this. Brilliant video. Im going to cut some t shirts up and knit a tote bag. Thank you.
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Sarah! Tell me how the tote comes out!
Thank you so much for this tutorial, which I found through Pinterest. When I read the article, I wasn’t understanding how to start cutting the strips, but the video was very helpful to a visual learner such as I am. I’m now ready to turn my hubby’s old t-shirts, which I have over-dyed, into a large basket for my kid’s toy
I’m a visual learner too. I’m so glad the video helped.
Wow, that sounds like a cool project! I’d love to see how it turns out. Thanks for visiting me and for writing, Cecilia.
i have a ton of tee-shirts, so thanks for the great idea
Im going to try a scarf out of an old under armour t-shirt! That will be perfect for wicking away moisture while doing winter sports!
I’ve never considered cutting up a stretchy Under Armour shirt. Wow…now that’s different! You’ll have to keep me updated on how it goes! Thanks for writing in, Angie!
This tutorial is awesome! I had read that you need t-shirts without side seams to make the continuous yarn, but your tutorial doesn’t mention that. Did you use shirts with seams? If so, did it impact the curling? I am not sure I have ever seen a t-shirt without seams. Thanks!!!
Hi Carissa. In the video I used an old undershirt which didn’t have seams. You can definitely use t-shirts with seams. I use t-shirts with seams all the time. The t-shirt yarn will still curl, but you’ll have a noticeable bump in the t-shirt yarn. I’ll post a picture of what I do to minimize the bump.
Seams really aren’t that disruptive to proper curling of t-shirt yarns. It’s printed graphics that cause problems, so it’s best to use plain shirts. If you need very consistent yarn it’s best to use plain seamless shirts. Let me see if in can figure out another method to make completely smooth continuous t-shirt yarn from shirts with seams. Thanks so much for visiting me and asking great questions, Carissa!
Great video and information! Thanks!
Thanks for visiting me, watching the video, and writing JessieJune. I’m so glad it was helpful!
I love this. I am so doing it today with some retired t shirts.
So glad you like the tutorial! I’m have to make some t-shirt yarn today too after I find some t-shirts to retire. Thanks for visiting me, watching the video, and writing, Angela! By the way, your photography is wonderful!
I love this. I am having a problem getting my tee-shirt yarn to curl though. It does not seem to curl at all. I’ve tried several 100% cotton tee-shirts. I’m not sure what I am doing wrong. I was also told that the shirt should have spandex in it. Is this true or am I just doing something wrong?
OH NO!! Well, if there are graphics on the t-shirt or some other type of coating it will prevent the t-shirt yarn from curling. I hope you can still use the yarn for one of your projects even if it doesn’t curl.
Make sure to stretch your t-shirt strand lengthwise. That should make it curl. Tell how if it works out.
Thanks for visiting and writing, Sheila!
This is so awesome, can’t wait to knit something!
I’m so glad you like the tutorial. T-shirt is so fun to use! Thanks for visiting, watching, and writing, Carmen! Much appreciated! Enjoy!
I just cut mine spiraled, it’s easyer
What a clever technique!I have tons of ideas about what to do with this stuff.Thanks for the info!
I’m so glad you find the tutorial useful. What kind of projects do you have planned? Thanks for visiting, watching the video, and writing, Mary!
Brilliant! Thanks so much for the video tutorial. It was so much easier seeing it done. I love the fact that you can also use this for plarn. The way I was doing it took way too long!
When I first started making plarn (and tarn) I was using a time consuming method too. I was linking the loops together, which makes those little bumps. I’m so glad I was able to help you learn a new technique. I find it to be easier and faster. Thank you so so much for visiting, watching the video, and for writing to me, Cindy! Happy plarning and tarning!
this… is…. GENIUS!! thank you so much for the idea and video!
Rachael
I’m so happy the method works for you. Thank YOU so so much for visiting, watching the video, and taking the time to write to me. XOXO
Brillant!!!!! Thanks for the video!
Glad you like it, Jolleen. Thanks for visiting, watching, and writing!
This is a very clear tutorial, one of the best I have stumbled across. Once I’m done with wedding crafting, I’m going to get back into the habit of knitting, and I think I’ll make a project with this T-shirt yarn. Also, thank you for buying a tripod–I get so frustrated when people post tutorial videos online and they are so shaky that it’s impossible to watch!
Hi Erica! *Whew*! Oh GOSH, Thanks! I’m so glad the video works for you. I actually don’t have a tripod or a dedicated camera. For now I have to make do with my iPhone and a candelabra. I’ll invest in some equipment for better production values later when I get the funds! Have fun finishing up your wedding crafting and enjoy the tarn knitting. BTW, happy belated b-day! Thanks so much for taking the time to write to me.
very helpful tx fo sharing
Glad found it informative. Thanks for taking the time to write, Sheraa!
This is such a great idea! I wish I had found this earlier when I was weaving my slippers – had so much trouble joining the short bits together! Thank you so much.
Hi Agy. I’m so glad you found it helpful. You might find my tutorial on joining strands helpful too (How to connect two strips of t-shrit yarn – http://www.relevedesign.com/how-to-make-a-macrame-t-shirt-throw/). It’s the second video on the page. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to write!
Great, will take a look
You ROCK! I have avoided tarn because the idea of dealing with strips was way too much of a pain! This is incredibly easy and I can’t wait to try it out! Thank you…
Hi Andy! Oh yeah, dealing with individual strips can be a drag. I’m so glad my tutorial helped. I so excited for you! Thanks for visiting and taking the time to write!
Great tutorial! Tried it with an old leather jacket (thinner strips) and it worked great
If you want to make a center-pull yarn ball, this will make the yarn easier to work with (no rolling around) for these long strips. This is how I learned a long time ago, before I had a yarn winder.
http://birdsnestknits.typepad.com/birds_nest_knits/2006/02/how_to_wind_a_c.html
I use paper towel rolls to wind my yarn and make center-pull balls, but this really wonderful tip! Thanks for sharing, Christina!
Fabulous and very detailed, easy to follow tutorial. I may actually crochet something with t-shirt yarn now! So excited, and thank you for the tutorial!
Hey YankeeGirl! Thanks for the visiting and commenting. Tarn is so fun to use. I can’t wait for you to crochet with it!
Even with the sound off on my computer, your video was still very clear and concise. Thank you for your video, i appreciate you sharing with everyone!
Thank you soooooooooooooo much!
Do you allow me to translate this tutorial in French for my blog?
Thanks again
Natacha
This has just given me thousands of ideas! Thank you so much on a thorough explanation! It’s always hard to find good instructional videos =)
Will definitely attempt to make a throw, I have so many t-shirts to get rid of!
I’m so glad to hear that, Aly! I’d love to see what you come up with!
I’ve just come across you on the great, bit World Wide Web and I’m thrilled to have done so. I love your ideas which are so original. This t-shirt yarn is very clever
Hi, this tutorial is so smart..I love it!! I am making a carpet to the living room with this amazing idea.Thank you so much, greetings from Chile
Awww, gosh! You’re too kind! I’m so glad you like my tutorial. A carpet for your living room sounds amazing! I’d love to see it when you’re done!
Muchas gracias por escribir y me visita!
Finally, a better use for my husbands worn work tees than rags or the trash can. I see a new kitchen rug in our future.
That’s wonderful, Eden! Yes, worn out clothes can definitely be turned into nice decor! Thanks for taking the time to write!
I have great ideas for t-shirt yarn. Unfortunately, I can’t get the video to play, it is simply a big black box with nothing to click on! Where can I find photos of the steps to cut the shirts?
Hi, Vicki. I’m so sorry about that. Technology can be such a pain sometimes! I’ll draw a diagram for you and post it on the page. Thanks for taking the time to write to me!
Bao, THANK YOU! This was so easy and I look forward to starting my new project: a crocheted throw rug out of my husband’s old t-shirts. Thanks again!
Gosh, Mrs. RD! I’m so excited for you! I’m sure the rug will be beautiful! Thanks so much for visiting and writing!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial. I just had a thought that might add something. For those of us who want an even longer piece of yarn, I bet it would be smart to take the flat cut t-shirt fabric and sew it to another piece of cut up t-shirt fabric _BEFORE_ stretching it. You could do this until you have one big seemingly endless ball of t-shirt yarn to knit or crochet with _WITHOUT_ having to attach yarn during knitting or crocheting – meaning there’s a less noticeable join point. My mom used to do that with rags that she cut up for making rugs on a loom. I had no idea how to create t-shirt yarn before your tutorial – thanks so much – I see a tunisian crocheted bathmat might be sturdy and soft!
Hi, Lynn! That’s definitely a great idea! For many projects sewing two long strands together before stretching would be the best way to get the seamless join. Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to offer up this helpful tip!
can we make the strips smaller? instead of an inch and a half can we do say maybe 3/4 inch?
Hi, Brandi. You sure can! I wouldn’t make the strips thinner than 1/2 inch, cause the jersey could unravel when you stretch the strips to finish the tarn. Thanks for visiting and writing! Tell me how it goes!