T-Shirt Yarn

Okay, so in my adventures of braiding t-shirts to make coasters, I found and realized that I could make yarn out of t-shirts and hen crochet it into just about anything.  I found a few links through google search to show me how to do it.  Thank you to whomever thought of this first and to those who posted HowTo's so I could post an I did.  

Here goes...

I started with a plain white tee that my hubby wasn't wearing anymore; you don't get to see a picture of it because I was going to do it without even sharing.  Can you believe that?!  How could I do something as spectacular as making yarn and not share, haha.

Here is the part of the shirt I didn't use, that can't be used

 The bottom trim of the shirt can't be used either so cut that off too.

I left out a few visual steps so bare with me.  The shirt is folded almost in half with about an inch difference.  That probably doesn't make sense, so just check somewhere else if you don't understand and want to do this. 

Once folded, you start cutting strips, mine were roughly 3/4 in.

Cut all the way through the fold, but don't cut through the one inch left after folding.

Here is what is looks like when finished.  You can see the 1 inch better now.
 *Note* Buy fabric scissors.  Man I wish I had them today.

 

Next Step involves unfolding the 1 inch left uncut.  Then cut diagonal from first strip to second just like my scissors show.  Continue doing that all the way across.  The 1st strip and then last strip will be ct diagonal to open the fabric so it is one long strip.

 

For REal!!!  It is actually "ACTUALLY" make yarn!  Just stretch it and the sides curl in.  TA-DA!

Braided T-shirt Coasters

What on Earth am I going to do to solve this issue of our drinking glasses leaving puddles of water everywhere??

Of course, coasters, but how can I get coasters without spending any extra money ???

I could have easily crocheted coasters, my friend Missy made these Minecraft Creeper coasters.

Super cute, but I have no yarn, only old t-shirts.  I Google searched t-shirt coasters and found Upcycling: Braided T-shirt Coasters so guess what I did.  I immediately got out my scissors and t-shirts and started cutting strips of fabric to braid.  I only had a plain black t-shirt to start, not my color of choice, but it was free.  Here is the finished product.

Mine didn't come out as good as Carolyn's but I wasn't going for perfection seeing how the colors weren't my favorite, I was going for quick, easy, practical, and useful.  End result: they work.  Living in the tropics the t-shirt coasters need some sort of backing on them that will completely absorb the water because after a while the fabric gets really wet and then, eventually, if they're not dried the water will seep through.  For now, I am satisfied=)

Handmade fishing poles

Joie even made fishing poles from sticks and things available. Too bad she didn't have any bait. I love when she becomes creative and resourceful.

Easy beaded Anklets

Joie made a bracelet for Rocket

 Alright!  These pictures were being difficult.  They didn't want to be shared on my blog, but my persistence paid off.  Here they are!!  Not exactly the way I wanted them, but oh well.  Sometimes I have to let go of that perfectionist in me.  I see it in both my children sometimes and how being a perfectionist is stressful!  We are human and imperfect unable to be flawless.  Luckily, we have a God that is so merciful and patient and loves us unconditionally.    

Jayden's hemp bracelet is my favorite.  I had to search the internet to remember how to make it

On the right, the anklet is a simple braid with beads added for fun.