No yarn? No Problem - Crochet with Recycled Fabric Strips

For many in recent years, crocheting has become more than a well-loved pass-time. It has become a practical means of dealing with these tough economic times. Recycled fabric strips are an important innovation as we seek to conserve creatively. With these we can make rag rugs and much, much more.

A Touch of Planning

First, you will need to decide on a project. The most common recycled yarn projects are rugs, place mats and table covers, but with a touch of imagination and innovation, you can go well beyond these perimeters.

Strip it Up!

Once you have decided on a project, you will want to make sure you have enough strips for your project. If you do not have enough of one color, it works very nicely to use three or four complimentary shades and patterns. Feel free to use any new or used fabrics (sheets, shirts, curtains, you name it).

Next, simply strip the fabric into evenly sized strips (you will need to do some experimenting to find the right width - one example is if you plan to make a rug, you would want to use thin cotton fabric at 1/2" strips and an 'N' hook) and attach these strips together. It seems that the best way to attach these strips is to make holes near the end of each strip, place the hole of one strip on top of the other, take the other end of the top stip and pull it through the bottom of the two holes.

Once you are done with this, simply roll this great strip of fabric into a ball.

It's Simple, Just Crochet

Making the balls of recycled fabric is the most foreign part to the average Crocheteer. From here on out, your horizons are just about as broad (if not broader) any other form of crocheting. You will likely end us using a much larger than average hook ('M' - 'P') - especially when making a rag rug, but this is not always the case. If you chose to make very thin strips, you could still use an 'H' or a 'J' and venture to crochet a fabric scarf or beanie.