How to Crochet a Shabby Chic Pillow Cover from Recycled Material

You can recycle your old sheet sets into crocheted pillow covers to create a wonderfully textured effect. You can cut sheets into strips for crochet in several ways. The most basic way is to simply cut the fabric into equal-sized strips and then knot, sew, or loop them together into one long, continuous strand.

Materials and vital statistics

• 1 king (or 2 twin) sheets in color of your choice

• Hook: Crochet hook size 50 U.S. (25 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Pillow form: 16 x 16 in. square

• Large-eye sewing needle or yarn needle and matching heavy-weight thread

• Measurements: 18 in. square
• Gauge: 4 sts and 4 rows sc = 4 in.
• Stitches used: Chain stitch (ch), single crochet (sc)

Directions

Cut the strips for this project approximately 2 inches in width. Don't worry about getting it exact; a little bit of variation adds to the charm! The figure and the accompanying instructions show you how to prepare the strips.

Follow this method:

1. Beginning with the short end of a twin-size sheet facing you, make a cut 1 inch in from the longest edge of the sheet.
2. Cut or tear the fabric, maintaining about a 1-inch width down the length of the sheet until 1 inch of fabric remains at the end; then stop.
3. Working in the opposite direction, make a cut 1 inch over from the last cut edge. Cut or tear the fabric in about a 1-inch width back across the length of the sheet until 1 inch remains; stop.
4. Repeat Step 3 until you've made a zigzag cut of 1-inch wide strips across the width of the sheet.
5. Starting at either the beginning or the end of your cut, wind the fabric strip in the same way you would a ball of yarn.

Repeat the preceding directions and wind each sheet into separate balls.

After all are cut, roll into a ball, and you're ready to go.

Foundation ch: Ch 26.

Row 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across (25 sc), turn.

Rows 2-15: Ch 1, sc in each sc across (25 sc), turn.

Fasten off after Row 15.

Finishing

Fold fabric in half crosswise with right sides facing. Using needle and thread, matching stitches across edges, whipstitch 2 sides together, leaving remaining side open.

Turn right side out, insert pillow form into cover, and then whipstitch remaining opening closed.