Collection: T-shirt Yarns

What is T-shirt yarn?

T-shirt yarn which is sometimes referred to as cotton ribbon or cotton ribbon yarn is medium for crochet, macramé, and knitting. It is often a cotton jersey with an ideal stretch and softness, ours includes recycled cotton fibers making it all the better, as the fabric is well worn.

 

Material of T-shirt yarn

T-shirt yarn is a very suitable one because it is generally made from 100% cotton.

At MeriWoolArt we have a slightly different recipe when it comes to the composition of our T-shirt yarn. It features 85% recycled cotton yarn paired with a hard-wearing viscose (15%). The difference is in the overall suppleness and the unique feel of the yarn in your hands. 

 

What makes a good quality T-shirt yarn?

High-quality T-shirt yarns should feel silky and lay smoothly, there should be some weight to it and more of a structured fit.

 

T-shirt yarn projects

T-shirt yarn is great for weaving with, you can use it to make a whole host of different things. The softness and flexibility mean it is comfy for wearables and accessories such as bags or scarves. The durability means you can make structured projects such as hangers and poufs.

 

Pet bed

T-shirt yarn works well for robust projects; it holds a form with stability. Pet owners might like to try their hands at this cat bed. The pattern could be easily adjusted for dogs too.

 

Placemats and coasters

T-shirt yarn also lays nice and flat making it a good choice for crafting coasters, and placemats. You can even have a go at making kitchen baskets to match and dine in comfy homemade style.

 

Storage baskets

T-shirt yarn is great for woven storage solutions. You could crochet baskets for bathroom toiletries and cosmetics. Baskets are great for organizing, they can be any size and color.

 

Jewelry

Beginners and children might want to start off with something much more simple. A project like some T-shirt yarn jewelry or neck accessories could be fun to try before you have mastered any complex knots.

 

Gift wrap decor

Another easy idea is using your T-shirt yarn to spice up your gift wrapping. How you do it is up to you, so feel free to get really creative. You don’t need to be able to knit, crochet or macramé for this one either.

Good deal on high-quality T-shirt yarn 

At MeriWoolArt we stock a good deal of high-quality T-shirt yarn options. They are 85 % recycled to promote sustainability and are OEKO-TEX certified. 

Sign up with an account in a few easy steps and browse our T-shirt yarn shop.

 

FAQ

What type of yarn is T-shirt yarn?

T-shirt yarn is a type of short-staple spun yarn characterized by its hairiness and non-uniformity.

Can you buy a T-shirt yarn anywhere?

While there are many places to buy T-shirt yarn you should try to source high-quality products from a craft supply specialist.

What size is T-shirt yarn?

You can make an average 90 cm long scarf with our extra-long strand 150-meter cotton T-shirt yarn.

What is the weight of T-shirt yarn?

The weight of T-shirt yarn depends on size and length. Our 150-meter T-shirt yarn weighs 250g.

What is T-shirt yarn used for?

T-shirt yarn is suitable for all kinds of projects, you can try baskets or purses.

How do you make T-shirt yarn easily?

T-Shirt yarn can be made at home if you are keen to learn and just a beginner you can save a little money and practice. Just follow these simple steps.

-First remove the bottom hem 

-Cut a straight line between the armpits

-Cut a 1-1/2″ strip, from the bottom to 1 or 2″ from the top fold

-Repeat 

-Put the connected edge over your arm 

-Cut diagonally from the first to the second

-Repeat until you are out of fabric

-Lengthen the strips by pulling and stretching them

Is T-shirt yarn heavy?

T-shirt yarn is a little heavier but great to work with because of its thicker size and slight stretch. It’s practical for robust projects and quicker to work with.

What size crochet hook do you need for T-shirt yarn?

Make sure that you use a crochet hook that is large enough. If your hook is too small, you will really struggle to do each stitch. 8mm or larger.

How do you crochet a rug with T-shirt yarn?

Follow the simple steps below to crochet a rug with your T-shirt yarn

Row 1:

-Chain 13 times for the foundation.

-Keep your chains slightly loose on your hook.

-Row 2:

-Turn and single crochet into the second chain and continue across the chain. After you crochet into the last stitch, chain one and turn.

-Row 3-20:

-For the remaining rows, single crochet across, adding new yarn when you run out

-Chain one and turn at the end of each row.

How to add new yarn when you run out:

-When you run out of yarn, leave a 6-inch tail.

-Lay the new skein of yarn parallel to the tail end.

-Then, crochet the next stitch with the new yarn, just don’t pull the stitch too tight. Continue crocheting a couple more stitches to anchor the new yarn in.

-Flip your work over and gently pull on the two ends to tighten it up. Don't worry about ends for now they can be tied together once you've finished. Now continue crocheting until you run out of yarn and repeat.

Finishing:

After your last row, cut the yarn and weave in all the ends. In the places that you joined a new skein, tie and weave the ends before trimming.

Which yarn is best for a T-shirt

Make sure that the shirts you're using are cotton-based. Lycra and modal are not the best materials for T-shirt yarns.

How do I make a T-shirt?

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How do you cut a T-shirt into a strip?

Here is how to make your own T-shirt yarn for practice projects if you are in a pinch, follow the instructions below:

1. Spread the T-shirt on a flat surface. Smooth out all of the wrinkles, making sure that the hems are aligned. If you are using a printed T-shirt, keep the design facing up. 
2. Cut across the T-shirt with fabric scissors or a rotary cutter, below the sleeves*. you can use a ruler and marker to mark lines with before. Set the top part containing the sleeves aside.

* If you are using a printed T-shirt, cut the sleeves off and 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) above the design.

3. Turn the shirt inside-out and cut the side seams off. Turn the shirt inside out first, then set it down on a flat surface smoothing out wrinkles. Cut the side seams off and set the pieces aside.
4. Next take the top part of the shirt that you set aside and draw the largest rectangle you can between the sleeves, the bottom of the collar*, and the cut edge.

* Collars are often bigger in the front than in the back so do the front first to save fabric.

5. Cut the sleeves apart to make rectangles, cutting the sleeves off first. Next, turn them inside-out, then cut the seam off. Spread the sleeves flat, and cut across the top (shoulder) edge to make them rectangular.

Remember the bottom edge can be left hemmed, or you can cut the hem off it is completely up to you. 

What do you use spaghetti yarn for?

Spaghetti Yarn is 90% cotton with 10% elastane; fantastic for knitting, crochet, or macramé.