Learn how to make a DIY finger knit garland using upcycled t-shirt yarn in this easy step-by-step eco-friendly tutorial!
T-shirt Yarn is an eco-friendly type of yarn made from old t-shirts that's easy to make and fun to use for craft projects!
You can use it as a ribbon to wrap gifts, you can use it to make jewelry with chunky beads, and you can use it anywhere you'd use regular yarn!
We recently posted a tutorial showing how to finger knit, and how to make a beautiful finger knit garland using chunky yarn.
Today, we are going to make a finger-knit garland using t-shirt yarn!
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Why You'll Love This Project
- T-shirt yarn is fun to make, and a great way to upcycle old shirts and save them from the landfill!
- Finger knitting is very easy. I vividly remember learning from my grandma when I was in elementary school, and it's just as simple as I remember. It's almost meditative because it's so repetitive and easy.
- You can make finger-knit garlands of any color! Start saving those worn-out t-shirts (or check out a thrift store for cheap options if you don't have any; and buy the biggest size you can because you'll get more material for your $$!)
Craft Supplies Needed
- Old T-Shirt - Make DIY T-Shirt Yarn using our tutorial.
- Scissors - Sharp scissors make cutting strips of the t-shirt material easier.
- Your Hand - Finger-knitting uses your fingers; hence the name! You don't need any knitting needles or hooks of any kind. Just your hand and you're ready!
How to Make a Finger-Knit Garland using T-Shirt Yarn
Step 1. First, use our tutorial to make your own t-shirt yarn from old or thrifted t-shirts.
Step 2. Once you have a ball of T-shirt yarn, follow this finger knitting tutorial, which details a two-finger knitting technique.
Using the tutorial listed above, you'll use two of your fingers to wrap the yarn around in a figure 8 pattern, and "knit" them into stitches that will form in the yarn as it hangs off your hand.
Step 3. The garland will get a little longer each time you knit a new row.
When you have finger knitted the t-shirt yarn garland to be as long as you need, it's time to finish off the garland.
Step 4. Cut the t-shirt yarn to leave a 12" yarn tail.
Step 5. Slide the end of the yarn tail up and under the yarn on one finger. Pull the yarn tail tight and remove the loop from your finger.
Step 6. Repeat for the other finger, sliding the yarn tail under the yarn loop on your other finger and sliding it off as you pull tight.
Step 7. This will tighten up the end of the t-shirt yarn garland as you pull it tightly.
Your garland is finished!
This project is 100% upcycled and eco-friendly... these t-shirts would have otherwise ended up in the garbage.
Common Questions
Making t-shirt yarn is easy and takes just a little patience. First, start with a stretchy t-shirt. You can raid your closet for old, worn-out t-shirts or visit a thrift store or garage sale to pick one up. Then, follow our tutorial showing how to make t-shirt yarn to make your own! Roll it up into a yarn ball and you're ready for your next project!
Absolutely! We have made finger-knit garlands out of yarn using the two-finger knitting technique with both chunky and VERY thick yarn. You can use any type of yarn, string, or rope to make these garlands!
Finger knitting is definitely kid-friendly! I learned how to do it when I was in elementary school from my elderly grandmother, and have vivid memories of making very long garlands with my cousins and sister during holidays. It might take a little longer for young kids to get the hang of it, or to be able to control their fingers while they manipulate the yarn, but they can do it!
T-shirt yarn can be made with any knit t-shirt or any knit material in general. (Think jersey knit sheets!) This is the same type of material that makes awesome homemade scrunchies!
Making t-shirt yarn is a fun project in itself, and now, you can use that yarn to make something to hang up and decorate your house with!
Finger knitting is easy and fun for kids to do too. Give them a ball of t-shirt yarn and let them create a masterpiece!
More Yarn Crafts You'll Love
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How to Make a Finger-Knit Garland using T-Shirt Yarn
Materials
- Old T-Shirt
- Scissors
- Your Hand
Instructions
- First, use our tutorial to make your own t-shirt yarn from old or thrifted t-shirts.
- Once you have a ball of T-shirt yarn, follow this finger knitting tutorial, which details a two-finger knitting technique.Using the tutorial listed above, you'll use two of your fingers to wrap the yarn around in a figure 8 pattern, and "knit" them into stitches that will form in the yarn as it hangs off your hand.
- The garland will get a little longer each time you knit a new row.When you have finger knitted the t-shirt yarn garland to be as long as you need, it's time to finish off the garland.
- Cut the t-shirt yarn to leave a 12" yarn tail.
- Slide the end of the yarn tail up and under the yarn on one finger. Pull the yarn tail tight and remove the loop from your finger.
- Repeat for the other finger, sliding the yarn tail under the yarn loop on your other finger and sliding it off as you pull tight.
- This will tighten up the end of the t-shirt yarn garland as you pull it tightly.Your garland is finished!
Notes
- Check your closet for old t-shirts that you could repurpose. Otherwise, check thrift stores or garage sales, and pick the biggest sized shirts you can find so you can more fabric and can make more yarn from one t-shirt!
- Kids can definitely learn to finger-knit. They have smaller hands so it might take a bit for them to get comfortable with the movements but I learned as an elementary schooler and I loved it!
- You can make this same type of finger-knit garland using any type of yarn as well. Thick, chunky yarn is very fast to finger-knit so that's my favorite type to use.
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