This post will give tips on how to cut the yarn in order to use it on a loom. For directions on loom knitting a dishcloth, go to this youtube video!
I do a little bit of volunteering for a non-profit that collect clothes and distributes them to people in need. We end up with a TON of t-shirts. Many of the shirts have small stains or contain screen-printing that only have significance to their original wearers. I thought this would be a great way to upcycle the shirts into useful items!
- Large or XL T-shirt with No Holes!
- Rotary Cutter + Cutting Mat OR Scissors
- Ruler
- 31 Peg Knitting Loom
- Loom Hook
- Yarn Needle
- Cardboard Rectangle
Lay the T-Shirt flat on a cutting surface.
Cut off the bottom hem of the shirt. Cut off the top of the shirt, either to the armpit OR to the bottom of any screen printing, whichever is lowest. Save these tops for an upcoming project!
If you are loom knitting a dishcloth, cut the yarn 1/2 inch thick (leaving 1 1/2 inches uncut on each line). For rugs, cut 1 inch thick.
Lay the ruler across the bottom of the shirt, You will be cutting across BUT you will not cut the last 1 1/2 inches! Leave that bit uncut!
Regardless of the project, do not cut the t-shirt any thinner than 1/2 inch thick! The yarn will break. True Story. :-(
After you've made all your strips, open up the uncut side of the shirt. The beginning of the bottom and top strips will be skinny because you are going to cut at an angle.
If you are right handed, match the cut on the right side to one cut HIGHER on the left side. This will create a continuous strip of yarn. If you cut straight across, you'll end up with a loop. No bueno.
Lightly pull sections of the strip. This will make it curl!
The yarn will get tangled up if you don't wrap it around something. I've used an old pair of scissors, thick rectangles of cardboard and a ruler.
Ready to use your T-shirt yarn? Watch this completely amazing Youtube tutorial by LoomaHat for complete instructions to loom knit your own dishcloths!
The way you explained T-shirt Yarn for Loom Knitting! is very Informative post, thanks for sharing it with us.
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