How to Crochet a Tie-Dye Trivet from Recycled T-Shirts

This is a great project for all those old T-shirts hanging around. Use one for a trivet or multiple for a set of placemats. See the figure for an illustration of the instructions.

Materials and vital statistics

• 1 Large tie-dye T-shirt, or in color of your choice

• Hook: Crochet hook size P-15 U.S. (11.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Measurements: 12 in. in diameter
• Gauge: First 2 rnds = 4 in. in diameter
• Stitches used: Chain stitch (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc)

Directions

The instructions for this project are perfect for working with T-shirts or similar weight fabric. See the figure and the accompanying instructions show you how to prepare the strips.

You can cut fabric 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. If you'd prefer not to join the fabric 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 joined, roll into a ball, and you're ready to go.

Center ring: Ch 4 and join into a circle with 1 sl st in first ch.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 8 sc in ring, sl st in first sc to join (8 sc).

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around (16 sc).

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, 2 sc in next sc * sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc to join (24 sc).

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc * sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc to join (32 sc).

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc * sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc to join (40 sc).

Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in first 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc * sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc to join (48 sc).

Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in first 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc * sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc to join (56 sc). Fasten off.