Hottee: T-shirt Yarn Hot Pad

In my house if it's not nailed down (and can be cut into strips), then I'm probably going to try and knit with it. Fortunately this fact lends itself well to recycling, especially all of the old t-shirts that tend to pile up in a household of 5.

You know what else those t-shirts are great for? Dye experiments. Mix the two together to create a handy-dandy hot pad in the perfect shade to match your kitchen (or your mood)!

Materials

T-Shirt Yarn (from an XL-XXL Men's Shirt)

Tulip Custom Dye Color Kit

Stainless Steel Pot

How to Dye T-Shirt Yarn

• Choose color from the Custom Dye Color Kit Chart (I went with "Mango" for Spring). Following the chart's recipe, add dye mixture and 1 gallon of HOT water to pot.

• Immerse t-shirt yarn into dye bath and stir continuously for 15 minutes. Let soak for at least 45 minutes more, stirring occasionally.

• Thoroughly rinse t-shirt yarn in cool water and mild soap until water runs clear. Wring excess water out. Hang dry.

• Wind into ball before using.

T-Shirt Yarn in Color: Mango

Make the Hotpad

Materials:

T-Shirt Yarn

Size US 13 Needles

Size US J Crochet Hook

Yarn Needle

CO 18 stitches.

Rows 1-5: Knit

Row 6: Purl

Repeat Rows 1-6 four times more.

Repeat Rows 1-4.

BO.

Finishing

Join t-shirt yarn at corner of hot pad. With crochet hook chain 10; join chain at corner to create a loop. Tie off.

Weave in ends.

Craft.Rock.Love,

Vickie

T-shirt yarn is made by cutting t-shirts into strips and rolling them into a ball. For a tutorial, check out my book AwareKnits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitchers.

In Austin? Take my Eco-Yarns class!