Transform Old T-Shirts With Crochet: Cut And Create

how to cut t shirt for crochet

There are many ways to cut a T-shirt for crochet, and it all starts with a good pair of fabric scissors. You can cut your T-shirt into a rectangle and then cut the fabric into strips to make T-shirt yarn. You can also cut the sleeves off to make a tank top, or cut the bottom half off to make a crop top. If you want to get more creative, you can cut slits into the sides or back of your shirt and weave the fabric together, or cut out the neckline to make it wider.

Characteristics Values
Tools Sharp fabric scissors, a pen or chalk, a flat surface, a roll or tube (optional)
Cut type Horizontal, vertical, diagonal
Cut location Sleeves, hem, neckline, sides, back
Cut shape Straight, curved, triangular, diamond

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Cut the T-shirt into a rectangle

To cut a T-shirt into a rectangle, first lay the T-shirt flat on a table and smooth out any creases. Cut off the bottom seam of the shirt. Next, cut a straight line from one armpit to the other, cutting through both layers of the shirt. This should leave you with a rectangular piece of fabric.

If your cut lines are not perfectly straight, don't worry about it. The most important thing is that you cut through both layers of the shirt to create a tube or rectangle shape.

Now, you can cut the rectangle into strips of your desired width, depending on how thick you want your yarn to be. For example, if you are using a 10mm hook, you might cut the strips about 1-2.5cm wide. It's not a problem if your strips aren't perfectly symmetrical.

Remember to use sharp fabric scissors for smoother edges and limited fraying.

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Cut the fabric into strips

To cut the fabric into strips, you will need a flat surface, a t-shirt, and a pair of good fabric scissors.

First, lay your t-shirt out on the flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Next, cut off the bottom seam of the shirt. You can either cut it off or unpick it and use it as part of the rectangle.

Now, cut a straight line from one armpit of the shirt to the other, making sure to cut through both layers of the shirt. This will leave you with a rectangular piece of fabric.

Decide how wide you want your yarn to be. Cut the fabric into strips that are 1 to 2 inches wide. The width of your strips will depend on how you plan to use your yarn. Keep in mind that you don't need to be precise with your cutting—t-shirt yarn is very forgiving, and it doesn't matter if your strips aren't perfectly symmetrical.

Starting at one edge of the fabric, cut a 1-inch strip in a straight line from the bottom to about 1 or 2 inches from the top fold. Make sure you don't cut all the way to the end, and cut through both layers. Repeat this process, cutting strips of the same width across the fabric. Try to maintain the same width across all your strips, but don't worry too much if they're not perfectly even.

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Stretch the strips for thinner yarn

To stretch the strips for thinner yarn, you can use a similar method to the one used to create the strips. First, hold a strip of the T-shirt yarn in your hands, leaving a little bit of slack. Then, stretch the strip by pulling it with your hands. You will notice that the strip curls up and thins out. Do this along the entire length of the yarn. Stretching the T-shirt yarn will also make it longer, giving you more yarn to work with.

If your T-shirt has any kind of graphic or print on it, keep in mind that those pieces will not stretch. However, this shouldn't make a difference if you are making something like a crochet rug.

It is worth noting that the thinner you make your strips, the stretchier they will be, and the more loose yarn and fibre that will shed. Therefore, it is recommended to test different widths for strength, stretch, and fibre/yarn loss before cutting up all your T-shirts.

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Cut off the bottom seam

Cutting off the bottom seam of a T-shirt is the first step in upcycling it into yarn for crochet projects. This is a simple process that requires a flat surface and a pair of sharp fabric scissors.

To begin, lay your T-shirt flat on a table and smooth out any wrinkles or creases. Next, use your fabric scissors to cut off the bottom seam (or hem) of the shirt. This will free up a tube or rectangle of fabric, which can then be cut into strips to create yarn.

The width of the strips will depend on the desired thickness of your yarn. Typically, strips range from 1 to 2 inches in width, but you can adjust this measurement based on your personal preference and the specific crochet project you have in mind. It is important to use sharp fabric scissors to ensure smooth edges and minimise fraying.

After cutting off the bottom seam, you can continue the process of creating T-shirt yarn by cutting a straight line from one armpit to the other, ensuring you cut through both layers of the shirt. This should leave you with a rectangular piece of fabric. From here, you can proceed to cut the fabric into strips, following the steps outlined in the previous paragraph.

Remember, when cutting the T-shirt, it is not necessary to achieve perfection with perfectly straight lines. A certain level of imperfection and asymmetry is acceptable, as T-shirt yarn is quite forgiving in terms of the evenness of the strips.

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Cut the T-shirt into a tube

To cut a T-shirt into a tube, you'll need a pair of fabric scissors and a T-shirt made of stretchy cotton jersey.

Lay the T-shirt on a flat surface and smooth out any creases. Cut off the bottom seam of the shirt, and then cut a straight horizontal line from one armpit to the other. This will leave you with a tube or rectangle of fabric. If you want to make yarn, cut the fabric into strips. Decide how thick you want your yarn to be and cut the fabric into strips of that width. Cut across the T-shirt from one end to the other, but stop cutting about an inch away from the side seam. Keep cutting strips from one edge to the other, always stopping just before you reach the end.

If you want to make a crochet rug, you can stretch the strips of fabric to make them thinner and longer. Pick up a strip of fabric and stretch it between your hands. This will also make the fabric curl, giving it a rounded shape, more like traditional yarn.

Frequently asked questions

You can use any old T-shirt, but it's best if it's made of stretchy cotton jersey fabric.

You will need a good pair of fabric scissors to get smooth edges and limited fraying. You can also use a pen or chalk to mark the T-shirt before cutting.

First, cut the T-shirt into a rectangle by cutting from one underarm horizontally to the other. Cut off the bottom seam and use it as part of the rectangle. Next, cut the rectangle into strips – cut across the T-shirt in 1-2 inch strips, depending on how thick you want your yarn.

You can use the T-shirt yarn for any crochet project, such as rugs, baskets, coasters, or purses.

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