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How to Make Jeans Yarn: A Free Video Tutorial

A while ago the lovely team at Simply Crochet Magazine asked me to design a bag for them – from a pair of old jeans….. What I came up with was a cute clutch bag from Dave’s old decorating jeans – I’m hoping he hasn’t missed them yet!

It  was such an amazing project to dream up and I thought I’d share with you just how easy it was to make the jeans yarn in this easy tutorial.

Just click the link to see my funny little video or scroll down to see it in pictures, whichever you prefer!

To make the jeans yarn:

Materials:

An old pair of jeans

A pair of large sharp scissors

Plenty of muscle to cut!

Step 1:

Cut both legs off the jeans, as close to the top as you can without cutting the pockets – save these for other fabulous craftiness.

Lay each leg out flat and cut 2cm strips as far as the seam – do not cut through the side seam.

How to make jeans yarn

Step 2:

When you have cut the strips the whole way up the leg, snip the first seam so that you can work in spirals up the leg to make a long strand of yarn.

How to make jeans yarn

Step 3:

Once you have finished, cut the yarn in half again to get 1cm wide yarn. It doesn’t matter too much if the fabric is a bit wiggly – it will add more character this way!

How to make jeans yarn

That’s all there is to it – you’re ready to make whatever you fancy from your jeans yarn! This little clutch bag is what I came up with – it’s in Simply Crochet Magazine Issue 26. I’m planning on an adventurous rug sometime soon too….

how to make jeans yarn

Here are a few of my free patterns that you might enjoy:

The Skittles Poncho – a burst of sunshine and rainbow colours

The Silver Squares Blanket – classic, timeless baby blanket

Baby Bunny Hats – super cute and super fast!

how to make jeans yarn

Jennifer Knepper

Sunday 16th of January 2022

Same way you make plarn with plastic bags. Did that once out of boredom. Never thought about using jeans the same way .

Natasja

Wednesday 6th of April 2016

How soon will you share the pattern?

Micaela

Saturday 30th of May 2015

I've made a rug out of hand and it turned out awesome!

Martina

Monday 25th of May 2015

Wonderful site you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I'd really like to be a part of community where I can get responses from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks a lot!

hanjancrafts@gmail.com

Thursday 28th of May 2015

Hi Martina, Thanks for your message - there's always lots of action over at knitting paradise for me so perhaps have a look there. Good luck!

Reena

Saturday 23rd of May 2015

Howdy! I know this is sort of off-topic but I needed to ask. Does operating a well-established blog such as yours require a lot of work? I'm completely new to blogging but I do write in my diary every day. I'd like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and thoughts online. Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

hanjancrafts@gmail.com

Thursday 28th of May 2015

Hi Reena,

Thanks so much for your message. Good question! It takes lots of time, but once you've got going it's a pleasure to do. I spend roughly about 10 hours a week online related to my blog and the rest of my time is spent designing (and doing my full time job too!). Just start off gently and if you write in your diary each day then blogging should come naturally to you. Best of luck! Hannah