My Own Scarf Design

After trying out a couple t-shirt scarf designs I found amidst the vast information on the interwebs, I decided to try and come up with my own. I'm usually not the best at original creations, but I'm pretty impressed with what I came up with.

When I decided I wanted to branch out and create my own interpretation of the t-shirt scarf, I began by looking at the copies I had already made. The second scarf I made had been my favorite so far, so I wanted to make one with that basic design. I took the looping feature and combined that with a braided look. I've seen some braided designs online, but most of these have required a sewing machine. Unfortunately, I don't have one at this point, so I have to make do with knots and ties and all the t-shirt strips that accompany a "no sew" craft.

I cut out strips from a light pink, dark pink and a black shirt, stretched them out and placed them in separate groups. I made a variety of braids, little ones, short ones, long ones, five stranded ones and ones with half knots and half braids. Some of the strands were really long so I used my toes to hold the end while I braided it completely. This worked out really well, although my toes did cramp up a few times. Since I braided over a dozen individual braids by hand, this took me quite a while. I watched tv again, as I tend to do as I make these scarves. I ended up watching several episodes of Being Human before I finished it.

Once I had a good amount of colors and braids, I tied each end together. Then I took a black strand, cut it and wrapped it around both ends, making the scarf a circle. I used three strands before it looked even and was completely sturdy and connected.

I'm very happy with the end result of this scarf. It's not quite as warm as the first two, but it's still very comfortable. I made it so I can either wear it looser, like a necklace, or loop it more around my head to create more of a scarf look.

My favorite aspect of this type of craft, is that it allows for so much modification and creativeness. Each scarf I make will always be different than the last. I cannot wait to make more, but I've run out of t-shirts so I will have to go back to Michael's or find a thrift store and buy a bunch more :).

Another T-shirt Scarf Night

I had a blast making t-shirt scarves the other weekend and since then I've found several more t-shirt scarf "patterns." Since I purchased quite a few t-shirts at Michael's, I figured, why not try out a few of these other ideas and have a variety of scarves. I love scarves and these are some of the comfiest I've worn.

This second design was also found on Pinterest. The thing I love most about all these different scarves is that they all use the same basic steps. Therefore, if you have tried the first one, the rest are easy peasy.

The original design for this scarf (found on ettestudios.com) uses just one color of shirt. I used two. You copy the first step of the other scarf and cut the same basic strips out of the t-shirts. After stretching them out, divide them into two groups. I took ten red strips and six black strips in each group and placed them next to each other, as the picture below shows.

You then take another strip, cut it and tie the two groups together. Do the same to the other ends, making a circle. The final step is to wrap the remainder of the strip you tied around each end of the loops around and around and around and around... well, you get the picture. I tied a knot at the end and creatively tucked it in so it wouldn't show. You then have your scarf!

I actually like this one better than the first design I made. It's cozier and it hugs my neck tighter. It's so cozy that I forget I'm wearing it all the time. I actually went to bed with it on.

Hope you enjoy and happy crafting :).

Craft Recap: T-shirt Scarf

Recently I joined Pinterest and I have fallen completely in love with it. I've been finding many different crafts, recipes, and even make-up options that I cannot wait to try. My favorite category has been the DIY one and many of these items are made for anyone to be able to recreate.

I've always considered myself a crafty individual, but I just haven't done much outside of work to that effect. This past weekend, I finally found the time and motivation to try one of the crafts. It's a t-shirt scarf. The original website for this (as far as I can tell) is from Cut out + Keep. I preferred to look at the instructions from this website though, as they are clearer and have more photos detailing the steps.

It took me a bit longer than it states on the websites. I made two and spent around 2.5 hours doing so. I watched my boyfriend, Alex, play Assassin's Creed: Revelations while I worked on them and the time passed very quickly. It was almost therapeutic.

I made two scarves, one normal and one circle scarf. I've worn both and love, love, love them! They are the most comfortable scarves I've worn and I even forget at times that I'm wearing them at all.

I do have a couple tips or bits of advice when it comes to making these. The bigger the shirts, the more loops you'll get, which makes a thicker scarf. I made the grey and blue scarf with tighter loops and that makes it a bit warmer. Also, the hem doesn't last long when it comes to cutting it up to use to tie the loops together. I cut them a bit longer than 5" and made sure to double knot them so they won't come undone. I ran out pretty quickly, so I simply cut strips from the t-shirt arms and used those. You can't tell a difference and they actually were easier to tie than the hem pieces.

I bought a bunch of different colored t-shirts at Michael's for $3 a piece. I looked at Target but the cheapest ones I could find were $8. I know the instructions say to use old t-shirts you have in your closet, but I already got rid of almost all my old clothes a couple months back. The grey shirt is an old one of my boyfriend's but the rest were just new, cheap ones I bought. Ultimately, each scarf still only cost me about 5 bucks to make.

I can't wait to make more of these. I will definitely be using this as a gift idea in the future :).