From the page: The t-shirt has many chapters ahead
Idea 4
Continuous spiral t-shirt yarn
Before industrial yarn existed, fabric cutters made continuous ribbons by cutting in a spiral — a technique that uses every inch of the piece without joins. The secret is geometry: by turning the scissors diagonally, the ribbon extends endlessly from a simple tube.
What you need
- Cotton t-shirts, without plasticized prints
- Fabric scissors or utility knife
- Ruler and pen for marking
- Rubber band or twine to wrap the skeins
How to make it
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1
Cut the bottom part of the t-shirt, from hem to armpits, forming a clean tube without side seams when possible.
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2
Mark diagonal strips 2 to 3 fingers wide with the ruler, leaving an intact horizontal band near each edge. These bands hold the fabric steady while you cut.
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3
Open the tube and cut each strip diagonally, from one edge to the other, without crossing the intact bands.
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4
Finally, cut in a spiral along the intact bands: the scissors "unroll" the entire tube into a single ribbon that stretches out like an accordion.
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5
Pull the ribbon firmly so the cotton curls and becomes thick yarn, then wind a tight skein to store it without tangling.
Finishing touches
The sleeves and seams become smaller strips for filling baskets or tying gifts. Store skeins by color: with your stock ready, any knitting or crochet project starts right away.
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