T-shirt yarn, sometimes called “tarn,” turns repurposed fabric into a substantial, quick-working material well suited to rugs, offering a sustainable and budget-friendly alternative to standard yarn for large floor projects. This guide covers how to make a basic crochet rug using this distinctive material, building on our guide on how to keep crochet home decor from losing its shape.
What T-Shirt Yarn Actually Is
T-shirt yarn is created by cutting old t-shirts (or purchasing pre-made t-shirt yarn) into continuous spiral strips, which naturally curl into a rounded, cord-like strand when stretched. This creates a thick, soft, and notably stretchy material quite different from standard spun yarn.
Making Your Own T-Shirt Yarn (Optional)
Step 1: Lay a t-shirt flat and cut off the hem and any seams at the bottom.
Step 2: Cut the remaining tube of fabric into a continuous spiral strip, working around and around rather than cutting straight across, to create one long, unbroken strand.
Step 3: Gently stretch the finished strip, which causes the fabric edges to naturally curl inward, creating a rounded, cord-like yarn.
Step 4: Wind the finished strand into a ball for easier working.
Choosing a Hook Size for T-Shirt Yarn
Given its substantial thickness, t-shirt yarn typically requires a much larger hook than standard yarn, often in the range of 8mm to 12mm or larger, depending on the specific thickness of your prepared strands, well beyond the typical ranges outlined in the Craft Yarn Council’s standard yarn weight system for conventional yarns.
Basic Rug Construction Methods
Simple oval or round rug. Worked similarly to a basket base, starting with a small ring or chain and increasing outward in flat rounds to your desired rug size.
Rectangular rug. Worked flat in rows, similar to a very simple, sturdy blanket, using a dense stitch pattern for adequate durability underfoot.
Braided or coiled construction. Some t-shirt yarn rugs use a technique closer to traditional braided rag rugs, coiling and securing the yarn in a spiral rather than working traditional crochet stitches throughout.
Working the Rug Body
Single crochet is the standard, recommended stitch for t-shirt yarn rugs, given its dense, sturdy structure well suited to something that will be walked on regularly. Taller, more open stitches don’t provide the durability a functional floor rug needs.
Managing Yarn Ends and Joins
Since t-shirt yarn comes from finite fabric pieces, joining new strands partway through a project is common. A simple overlap join, where the ends of two strands are threaded through each other and pulled snug (sometimes called a “no-sew join”), works well given the yarn’s stretch and thickness, avoiding the need for weaving in traditional yarn tails.
Finishing and Securing the Edge
Once your rug reaches its intended size, a simple slip stitch or single crochet round around the perimeter provides a clean, finished edge and adds a bit of extra durability at the point most likely to see wear from foot traffic. Some crocheters also add a second reinforcing round in a contrasting color, which doubles as both a structural detail and a decorative border framing the whole piece.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a hook too small for the substantial thickness of t-shirt yarn, making the fabric difficult to work and unnecessarily tiring on the hands.
- Choosing an open, lacy stitch pattern unsuited to a rug’s practical, durability-focused purpose.
- Cutting t-shirt strips inconsistently in width, resulting in uneven yarn thickness throughout the finished rug.
- Skipping a finished edge treatment, leaving raw, less durable edges exposed to regular foot traffic.
Tips for Better Results
- Cut your t-shirt strips as consistently as possible in width, since uneven thickness will show clearly in the finished rug’s texture.
- Use a substantially larger hook than you would for standard yarn, given t-shirt yarn’s considerable thickness.
- Choose t-shirts with a color palette you actually want in your finished rug, since the fabric’s original color carries through directly into the project.
- Test a small swatch first if this is your first time working with t-shirt yarn, since the handling feel differs meaningfully from standard yarn.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many t-shirts do I need for a typical rug? This varies significantly by rug size, but a modest accent rug might use anywhere from five to ten adult-sized t-shirts, while a larger area rug could require considerably more.
Is t-shirt yarn rug machine washable? This depends on the original t-shirt fabric, but many cotton t-shirt yarn rugs can be gently machine washed and air dried, though checking the care needs of your specific fabric source is worthwhile.
Can I buy pre-made t-shirt yarn instead of cutting my own? Yes, pre-made t-shirt yarn (sometimes labeled as “tarn” or “jersey yarn”) is commercially available, offering a more consistent width and saving the time of cutting your own from actual t-shirts.
Is single crochet really the best stitch for a durable rug? Yes, its dense, tightly packed structure holds up significantly better to foot traffic and regular use than taller, more open stitches, which is why it’s the standard recommendation for functional floor rugs.
How long does a t-shirt yarn rug take to make compared to a standard yarn project? Given the substantial thickness of t-shirt yarn, rugs typically work up considerably faster than an equivalent-sized project in standard yarn, since each stitch covers significantly more area.
Can I combine t-shirt yarn from different colored shirts in the same rug? Yes, this is a popular approach for a scrappy, multicolor rug, and it’s also a practical way to use up a variety of old t-shirts rather than needing a single uniform color source.