Recycle t-shirts into knitted dishcloths

by Crystal on September 23, 2011

Since I’m trying to learn how to knit dishcloths, I was excited to find a link on Pinterest for how to recycle t-shirts into knitted dishcloths.

Has anyone done this before? It looks fun and I’m guessing that the dishcloths would be really durable and effective.

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{ 23 comments... read them below or add one }

Ashley Pichea September 23, 2011 at 10:54 am

I love this idea! I bet the same idea would work with crochet!
- Amanda Morris September 23, 2011 at 12:22 pm
  
  I was just wondering that…cuz I hate knitting but I love crocheting!
- Karen September 23, 2011 at 02:13 pm
  
  Sounds like a good project for the weekend. I was thinking about starting a new crochet and I think I will give these a whirl. As far as knitting goes, my mother-in-law says I am hopeless…and for once I think she is right
Laura September 23, 2011 at 11:09 am

how exactly did you knit this using t-shirts. I have learned with string, but do you use those long sticks..(I am so new at this, so excuse my terms).
Lizzie~A Dusty Frame September 23, 2011 at 11:10 am

You need to use larger needles and cut your tees very thing. Also google a tutorial on making “Tarn” (tee shirt yarn) because only certain types of shirts work and you DO have to do it correctly but it’s very cool. I made a plastic grocery store bag holder out of red tee shirt yarn:)
TAMI September 23, 2011 at 11:13 am

Love this idea!!! I have to try this. Thanks for always giving us great wonderful ideas and tips!!
Lizzie~A Dusty Frame September 23, 2011 at 11:13 am

Here’s one–they have to have no side seams

http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2009/06/05/making-t-yarn-from-recycled-tee-shirts/
- Rae September 23, 2011 at 12:25 pm
  
  thanks for sharing, that was a helpful tutorial
Kristen C September 23, 2011 at 11:31 am

Awesome! I want to learn to knit someday.
becky September 23, 2011 at 11:48 am

I cannot knit but I can crochet. Has anyone tried crocheting these and if so, do they turn out just as nice?
- Rae September 23, 2011 at 12:30 pm
  
  check out the tutorial Lizzie posted above, it shows a sample of the “tarn” being crocheted and it looks great
diania September 23, 2011 at 11:55 am

I don’t know how to knit but I LOVE this idea. I’m thinking I will make one out of braided t-shirt strips and hand stitch the braids together. Like a mini braided rug.
Allyson @ A Heart for Home September 23, 2011 at 12:13 pm

I just saw that same pin this morning and went searching for how to make t-shirt yarn. I pinned a tutorial here: http://pinterest.com/pin/228494862/.

This will make a great addition to some of the hand made potholders our kids are making. http://a-heart4home.blogspot.com/2011/09/finished-friday-our-first-homemade.html)

Crystal, I love that you are always on the lookout for great ideas to share!
Laura September 23, 2011 at 01:51 pm

Lizzie, Thanks, as soon as I left this page I must have googled, and watched so many you tube videos. My only question left is I have seen the type that uses needles, and then there is the one with one needle, and its called Crochet, and you don’t have to thin out the cut up t-shirt.. I learned that you may either Knit, or Crochet, and it looks almost the same but one is much thicker and used for Rugs, but which one did you do Crystal..
- lee September 23, 2011 at 03:22 pm
  
  I knit and crochet and their is a bigger difference than one being used for rugs. You could do either for this project, although I would think that knitting would be harder and you would need to make the tarn much skinnier.
Amy September 23, 2011 at 02:22 pm

Laura – I was just going to mention the rug idea. We got a really cute area rug made from fabric scraps as a wedding gift, it was crocheted. I have it by my kitchen sink, it washes up beautifully, and after 11 years it’s just starting to show wear.
Linda September 23, 2011 at 02:42 pm

I have started crocheting trivets from denim, as well as denim rugs. I am also working on rugs from recycled plastic bags (plarn) and bath rugs from t-shirts (tarn). Guess I’ll add dishcloths too, now!
Lindsey September 23, 2011 at 02:47 pm

Love this idea!! A great way to use old t-shirt, and who can’t always use more dish clothes!
Wendi S September 23, 2011 at 03:12 pm

Linda, please share more about the recycled denim! Do you have any sites you can recommend?
Jenni Stearns September 23, 2011 at 04:52 pm

I did this and made a rug for my bathroom. I crocheted it, though. It’s great, but when you’re cutting the tee shirt it does shed, so make sure your vacuum is handy! I love how the rug turned out! It’s sturdy and thick (I used a double strand method found below, only use tee shirts instead of plastic bags, although the bags are nice, too).

http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/02/17/instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags-creating-recycled-plastic-yarn/
Brandi @ Savvy Student Shopper September 23, 2011 at 08:52 pm

I love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
Rawne September 24, 2011 at 06:44 pm

I was looking for a craft for my teenage daughter and found “How to Make T-Shirt Yarn” Looks like you would make the yarn then follow a simple pattern on making squares.

http://www.craftpassion.com/2009/05/recycle-tutorial-making-of-t-shirt-yarn.html
Karen@MSEnthusiast October 03, 2011 at 05:56 pm

I so wish I had time to try this. I’ll have to bookmark it. This is my kind of fun!:0)