Recycled Into Yarn

ReStitch Yarn is all about tarn

05/02/2012

Developing a successful product line is a tremendous accomplishment for a designer. But what is even more gratifying is knowing this product was created from repurposing no longer wanted t-shirts so they don't end up in the landfill. That's what ReStitch Yarn has done and if you are lucky enough to live in Maine, you can find ReStitch Yarn in a store near you.

What can you make with t-shirt yarn? Don't worry, ReStitch Yarn took care of that too by sharing this free adorable knitted bib pattern she calls Babester Dos.

This will look so cute on your little one or as an adorable baby gift.

Looking for a Mother's Day gift idea, ReStitch Yarn
shares this free Kindle Fire Cover pattern.

Please welcome Recycled Into Yarn's newest Recycled Designer,
Polly of ReStitch Yarn

You can read more about Polly and the other recycled designers on the 'Meet The Designers' page.

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Petals to Picots - Free Crochet Fabric Pattern

04/06/2012

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Spring is in the air and nothing says spring like Nesting Baskets. They are so multi-functional in that they not only can dress up a room but are also the perfect hiding place. Place them in any room of the house and use for holding magazines to markers and toys to towels.

Petals to Picots shows us just how easy it is to crochet these Nesting Baskets by sharing her
Green Crocheting: Fabric Nesting Baskets Pattern.

This is just one of the many innovative, cost affective ways to 'go green' using recycled fabric yarn.

Petals to Picots
also shows us just how easy it is to re-purpose those old bed sheets, pillow cases and even
curtains that have lost their glamour by making fabric into yarn tutorial.

You can read more about Kara and the other recycled designers on the
'Meet The Designers' page.

Please visit the Petals to Picots website for other free patterns and tutorials.

Come back and visit soon because we're not done with Nesting Baskets yet!!!!
Here's a hint - our next project is a Knit Plarn-Along ..........

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My Recycled Bags - Free Plarn Patterns

03/06/2012

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My Recycled Bags introduces us to spring with these adorable plarn patterns:

This sassy Sunflower would look
adorable on any
tote, bag or purse.

Your produce will taste even better carried home in this eco-cute reusable bag.

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Recycled Yarn-Along ....Quickie Knitty Plarn-Along: Poppy Flower

02/23/2012

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You want it, Recycled Into Yarn will host it!! Because of a request received by the very talented knitter known by her Ravelry name, CyndyinLawrence, Recycled Into Yarn will be hosting not 1 but 2 Recycled Yarn-Alongs.... both of which will are Knit Plarn-Alongs.

Calling all KNITTERS, novice and experienced ... we're going to first start off with a quick project that is simple, fun and addicting..... also known as a .... .

Quickie Knitty Plarn-Along

The project is a beautiful
Poppy Flower

by the very talented Designer,
Bev V. also known as Bebere.

Made by CyndyinLawrence

Just in case you're wondering what a Plarn Poppy Flower would look like - here are
2 plarn-tastic versions.
Picture to the left made with orange plarn.
Picture to the right made with Walmart green produce bag and a pop tab instead of a button.

Made by Teresa of Plastique Recreations (or Recycled Into Yarn)

RIY Note: If this is your first time in using plastic yarn, please refer to the Recycled Into Yarn Tutorial and YouTube pages to find out how to make plastic yarn from plastic bags. The tutorials have been created by Recycled Into Yarn Recycled Designers.

Let's get crackin' with the quickie ........
Materials Needed:
2 plastic bags
1 button or pop/pull tab (your choice)
Sewing Needle
Pair of Knitting needles .. a direct quote from Bev's blog:
"I used some US size 4 double-pointed ones, because they were the first things I picked up. Gauge isn't really important, so use whatever you like/have in front of you."

Directions:
Cast on 28 stitches
Rows 1-4: Knit on odd rows, purl on even rows.
Row 5: Knit 2 stitches together to end (14 stitches).
Row 6: Purl to end.
Row 7: Knit 2 stitches together to end (7 stitches).
Row 8: Purl to end.
Row 9: Knit 2 stitches together, knit remaining stitch
(4 stitches).

With needle, thread tail end of yarn through live stitches, pull tight and secure. Sew the two sides together to make a circle. Sew button or pop tab to front.

And take it from me, this pattern is addicting. Once you make the first one, you'll want to make more. Bev's design is not only beautiful but versatile as it can be worn in so many different ways. To name a few, attach a clip to the back and wear as a lapel pin (see Bev's pic above), attach it to a headband or dress up a handbag or tote... you get the idea.

DON'T FORGET to send me pictures of your finished flower so I can show it off ... the best part of a Recycled Yarn-Along is showing off what you made!!!

Please help me show Bev our appreciation by leaving a thank you comment on her blog for letting us use her Poppy Flower design for the Quickie Knitty Plarn-Along.

Don't forget to come back and visit soon as details will be announced for the 2nd Knit Plarn-Along that will kick off the 1st of March. This project will be an awesome way to let others know that Spring is right around the corner.

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Plastic Bag Crafts is all about upcycling plastic bag crafts

02/16/2012

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Isn't it funny how a simple notion to upcycle material evolves into a successful website with the sole purpose of keeping plastic out of the landfill.

That's the story behind Plastic Bag Crafts

Check out this adorable plarn hat that is easy to wear and comfortable. On warm days you’ll appreciate the breeze coming through the decorative gaps.

A crocheted plarn tote bag with a flat bottom, modeled after a brown paper grocery sack, provides a lot of room for groceries or other bulky loads.

Also check out the easy to follow tutorial on how to make plarn.

Please welcome Recycled Into Yarn's newest Recycled Designer,
Nicole of Plastic Bag Crafts

You can read more about Nicole and the other recycled designers on the
'Meet The Designers' page.

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Part 2 - Spinning Recycled Yarn: How to Spin Umbrella Yarn

02/13/2012

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There are still so many different types of recycled yarn yet to be discovered, but I never would have thought that umbrella would end up to be one of them.

Let's start from the beginning - typically when an umbrella is no longer able to serve it's original purpose, it gets discarded.

Very unfortunate, but it's true ..............

OR IS IT???

Not for Eva of Mademoiselle Chaos

Eva very creatively shows us how to repurpose a dysfunctional umbrella by spinning it into yarn.

How clever is that but more importantly, look how beautiful it is.....

Check out Eva's tutorial so you can try it for yourself..

Please welcome Recycled Into Yarn's newest Recycled Designer, Mademoiselle Chaos

You can read more about Eva and the other recycled designers on the 'Meet The Designers' page.

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Wet SwimSuit...No Problem!!

02/09/2012

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Swimming at the beach or pool will be much more fun knowing that you can slip that wet swimsuit into an adorable plarn pouch. It's the perfect size for tucking away so everything else stays dry.

Alli Crafts shares with us her beautiful
Plarn Wet Swimsuit Pouch

Please welcome Recycled Into Yarn's newest Recycled Designer, Alli Crafts

You can read more about Alli and the other recycled designers on the 'Meet The Designers' page.

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Soap Saver Sachet Crochet Tarn-Along ... Final Pattern Details

02/06/2012

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Crown Edging:
Pattern Note: You'll want to end the single crochet round with an even number of stitches.

Crown Base: In same space, chain 6 (chain 1 for 1st single crochet + chain 5 to form crown base) double crochet in 4th chain from hook and in next chain. *Skip 2 stitches, single crochet in next 2 stitches, chain 5, double crochet in 4th chain from hook and in next chain. *Repeat around. Single crochet in last stitch, join with a slip stitch in 1st chain stitch of round.
(Pattern Note: The draw string will be weaved through this row.)

Picot stitch will be made in the final round to complete the Crown. Just in case you missed it, here is the tutorial on how to make it:
Special Stitch: Picot - Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook.

Crown:
Slip stitch up to the chain 3 space, chain 3 (count as 1st double crochet), chain 3 again to make the 1st picot, make 2 double crochet stitches in same chain 3 space, picot, make 3 more double crochet stitches in same chain 3 space.
*Double crochet in next chain 3 space, picot, 2 double crochet stitches, picot, 3 double crochet stitches. *Repeat around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the third chain that acted as the first double crochet.

Draw String:
Chain 51, slip stitch in each chain across. Finish off leaving just enough tail to stitch both ends together. Starting on one side of the sachet, weave one end of the draw string in and out of the holes of the crown base row. Sew the ends together.
(Pattern Note: The original pattern instructions by Yarnovations offers 2 additional draw string options that you might be interested in.)

Thank you to everyone that participated in Recycled Into Yarn's 1st Recycled Yarn-Along. Please submit pictures of your finished sachet via the Contact Me page so I can show it off.

Before this crochet tarn-along I had no interest in making a soap saver sachet but I have absolutely fallen in love with this pattern. As you can tell, my sachet is being used as a iPhone holder. RecycleCindy shared with me that she's making one as an ice brick cozy. What an awesome idea that is!!!

Again, thank you to Yarnovations for letting us use this fantastic pattern. Please visit their website for even more very creative patterns.

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Plarn from Petals to Picots

02/02/2012

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Bring your groceries home in style with a Plarn Upcycled Grocery Tote from Petals to Picots by Kara.

Now you see them....

Now they are styled!!!!

Please welcome Recycled Into Yarn's
newest Recycled Designer,
Petals to Picots

You can read more about Sharon and the other recycled designers on the
'Meet The Designers' page.

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Soap Saver Sachet Crochet Tarn-Along ..... Pattern Details

02/02/2012

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As we all know, t-shirts can be made with 100% cotton or with various types of blended material. This in itself can and will have an impact on achieving a specific gauge or measurement. For example, one swatch I made had a cotton/ rayon blend that offered a softer texture and required an adjustment to the starting chain vs. another swatch I made with 100% cotton.

Since we are using tarn, the following pattern instructions is a slight modification to the original pattern by Yarnovations. Provided below are instructions for 2 'starting base' options:

Option 1 - 2 rounds of single crochet at base:
As I worked through the original pattern with tarn, my initial intent was to use the sachet as an iPhone holder. However, I found that adding a second single crochet row offers added protection at the base before actually starting the open mesh pattern.

Round 1: Chain 12, 2 single crochet stitches in 2nd chain from hook, single crochet in each chain across, 3 single crochet stitches in last chain (NOW YOUR WORKING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE) single crochet in each chain across including the last chain which is your 1st starting chain. You should have 3 single crochet stitches on each corner for a total of 24 single crochet stitches.
Round 2: Single crochet in each stitch around.
Round 3 (open mesh pattern): Chain 5, *skip a stitch, double crochet in next stitch, chain 1. *Repeat 3 more times, double crochet in each of the 3 corner stitches, chain 1, *repeat pattern across, double crochet in remaining 2 stitches. Join with a slip stitch in top of starting 4th chain.

Option 2 - 1 round of single crochet at base:
This pattern is following the concept of the original pattern modified for tarn as a soap saver.

Round 1: Chain 11, 2 single crochet stitches in 2nd chain from hook, single crochet in each chain across, 3 single crochet stitches in last chain (NOW YOUR WORKING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE)
single crochet in each chain across including the last chain which is your 1st starting chain. You should have 3 single crochet stitches on each corner for a total of 22 stitches.
Round 2 (open mesh pattern): Chain 5, *skip a stitch, double crochet in next stitch, chain 1. *Repeat 2 more times, double crochet in each of the 3 corner stitches, chain 1, *repeat pattern across, double crochet in remaining 2 stitches. Join with a slip stitch in top of starting 4th chain.

Next and each additional Round: Repeat Round 2 - continue open mesh pattern until desired height is achieved.

Starting the crown edging:
Chain 1, single crochet in same stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch.

This is the first part of the pattern instructions. Now it's your turn. The final set of pattern instructions for the beautiful crown edge design and drawstring closure.

Let me know your thoughts, comments, feedback on the pattern instructions or if you have any questions.