How to Crochet Recycled Materials: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Crocheting Recycled Materials

By HowExpert

Are you the sort of person who hates throwing anything away that might still have a use? Do you enjoy bargain hunting and crocheting? Then this guide is definitely for you!
With the help of straight forward, easy to follow instructions and step-by-step photos, you’ll learn how to:
- See the world around you through a new lens that turns just about everything into a possible crochet material;
- Save money on yarn while still being able to create beautiful projects;
- Choose sweaters that are good candidates for unraveling and reuse;
- Figure out what sort of fiber a mystery yarn is made from;
- Unravel a sweater the easy, fast way;
- Roll a center-pull yarn ball like the ones seen in stores;
- Make yarn from plastic grocery bags;
- Make yarn from old jeans;
- Make yarn from old t-shirts;
- Use your new yarns to make fun and useful items like afghans, hot pads, and purses;
- And more!

There’s also no need to worry about being a master crocheter, sewer, or crafter in general. The techniques used to create yarns as well as work with them are all very basic. If you can use scissors and if you’ve mastered the most basic of crochet stitches, then you’ll feel like an expert within minutes with the help of this guide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HowExpert
• Release date: Oct 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465789570

HowExpert

HowExpert publishes quick 'how to' guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts.

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How to Crochet Recycled Materials

Your Step-By-Step Guide to Crocheting Recycled Materials

HowExpert Press & Sarah Olson

Smashwords Edition

*****

Copyright 2011 www.HowExpert.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction: Why Use Recycled Materials?

It’s Good for the Planet

It’s Cost Effective

It’s Fun!

You’ll Become More in Touch with Your Materials

Common Crochet Abbreviations

Chapter 1: How to Choose Old Sweaters to Unravel for Yarn

How to Tell What Kind of Yarn You've Found

The Burn Test

The Bleach Test

Chapter 2: How to Unravel a Sweater

How to Roll a Center-Pull Ball

Chapter 3: What to Do with Your Yarn

Making Granny Squares

How to Make a Classic, Single Color Granny Square

How to Change Colors

How to Connect Squares

How to Crochet Squares Together

Chapter 4: How to Make Plastic Yarn or Plarn from Plastic Bags

Chapter 5: What to Do with Your Plastic Yarn

Pot Scrubber

Purse

Bag Handle and Front Flap

How to Add the Loop and Button

Chapter 6: How to Make Yarn from Scrap Fabric

How to Make Yarn from a Pair of Jeans

To Join Sections of Yarn

How to Make T-Shirt Yarn

Chapter 7: What to Do with Scrap Fabric Yarn:

How to Make a Jeans Hot Pad

How to Make a Fancy Doily Trivet

Conclusion

About the Author

Recommended Resources

INTRODUCTION: WHY USE RECYCLED MATERIALS?

IT’S GOOD FOR THE PLANET

While crafting might not be the first course of action that comes to mind when you think of ways to take care of our planet, you’ll be surprised at the impact that recycled crochet can make. Not only will you be keeping materials out of the landfill, but also lessening the demand for the manufacturing of new materials. Sadly, whether you buy yarn made from natural or man-made fibers, current manufacturing practices often leave a lot to be desired when it comes to using environmentally friendly methods.

IT’S COST EFFECTIVE

Have you ever gone to your local craft store and drooled over expensive specialty yarns that you know you can’t afford? This is a way to still have them. You’ll be amazed at the bargains you can find at your local thrift store once you start to use a bit of imagination. This guide will show you how to turn what may be a fashion nightmare into something truly beautiful.

IT’S FUN!

If you’re the sort of person who enjoys shopping at sales, digging through clearance bins, or clipping coupons, this is another way to experience the excitement of the hunt. You not only get new yarn to work with and an eventual end project, you also get the satisfaction of telling friends and family just how you made your beautiful projects.

YOU’LL BECOME MORE IN TOUCH WITH YOUR MATERIALS

By the time you’re ready to start using your yarn, you’ll be intimately aware of its weight, texture, stretch, and strength. You’ll know just what to make with it.

COMMON CROCHET ABBREVIATIONS

[ ] – work instructions in brackets