How to Make Your Own Ruffle Yarn

Have you ever found yourself wishing for a yarn that was super unique?  Something that only you would have access to and that would make your project truly one of a kind?  Check out this tutorial on how to make your own fabric ruffle yarn!  Projects created with this beautiful yarn convey so much love – you did all the work from the absolute start to the finish, and now you have a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind gift for someone in your life (or for yourself!  Go for it….you deserve a super gorgeous ruffly scarf – I give you permission to put yourself first for once!).

Check out this video to take a peek at what the yarn looks like in action, and for a how-to on knitting and crocheting with ruffled yarn.

DIY Ruffle Yarn

***Something that MUST be said at the beginning of this tutorial***

If you are very particular about perfection in your work, then I applaud you!  I too can get pretty caught up in having everything perfect from time to time….that being said, throw all your perfectionist tendencies right out the window before starting this project.  You could drive yourself right into a mental hospital for absolutely nothing if you go into this project with the goal of your yarn coming out perfectly….and believe me….it’s going to work up just as beautifully whether your fabric has wrinkles in it or not….or whether your lines are sewn perfectly straight….or whether your holes are spaced perfectly apart….you get the point 🙂

 What you need:

Fabric (44″ or 112cm from selvage to selvage)

Refer to the pattern you are working with to figure out how much fabric you need.  The most common fabrics are approx. 44″ or 112 cm in length from selvage (edge) to selvage.  You are going to be cutting this fabric into 4.5″ (11.5cm) strips.  In order to figure out how much fabric you need, take the number of yards the pattern calls for, multiply that number by 36 and then divide the total by 44.  This is the number of 4.5″ strips you are going to cut to make enough ruffle yarn for your project.

Y (number of yards pattern calls for) x 36 = T

T/44 = N (number of strips needed)

After you have figured out the number of strips you need, multiply that number by 4.5 and then divide the total by 36.  This will give you the total yards of fabric you need to buy to make enough ruffle yarn for your project.

(N x 4.5)/36 = Total number of yards needed

NOW – don’t let all this math freak you out!  If you plug the numbers into the equations above, you’ll be just fine…and if you use one of my patterns for the Fabric Ruffle Yarn, then I will have done all the work for you.  The number of strips needed for those projects will be listed at the bottom of this tutorial 🙂

Sewing Machine

You can do this sewing by hand, but it would take some time….so I recommend using a sewing machine.  Don’t worry though!  We won’t be doing anything beyond straight lines here.

Rotary Cutter and Mat

Again – this is not entirely necessary – you can use fabric scissors if you prefer.  However, a rotary cutter and mat are going to save you some of your precious time.

Pins

Not required but could be helpful!

Step One:

Cut your fabric into 4.5″ (11.5cm) strips from selvage to selvage (this should give you approx. 44″ or 112cm strips)

Step Two:

Sew the short sides of the strips together (make sure you have the right sides facing each other) so you end up with one super long strip.

Step Three:

Fold the top and bottom of your fabric strip about .25″ (.64cm) in with the wrong sides together.

Step 4:

With the edges folded down, fold your strip (or at least the section you are working with) in half again (wrong sides together).

IF you feel the need to have this as perfect as possible, then this is where the pins might come in handy…..OR if you’re throwing out perfection like me, then you can do this as you sew.

Step 5:

Sew a line over the folded down edges right along the side, all the way down your strip of ruffle yarn.

Step 6:

Celebrate being nearly done by throwing all of your beautiful yarn into the air!!  Yes….I’m serious.

Step 7:

Add holes every 2 inches using your rotary cutter (if you have one)

Step 8:

Roll it into a tidy little ball and get ready to knit or crochet!!

Step 9:

 Find a super awesome project that you’re excited to make and get to work!

What does this yarn look like in action you ask!?

Here is the knit version of my Ruffle Skirt and Headband Set Knitting Pattern:

And here is the crochet version:

SO STINKING CUTE

is the answer to your question.

If you’d like a fun, quick pattern to try out your first batch of ruffle yarn with, then check out my brand new patterns for the Ruffle Skirt and Headband Set pictured above!

I have both a Knit Version and a Crochet Version.

The knit version requires 10 strips of fabric for the Newborn size and 35 strips for the 1-3 year size.

The crochet version requires 13 strips of fabric for the Newborn size and 45 strips for the 1-3 year size.

If you loved this tutorial, then I would LOVE it if you would leave me a comment and tell me what you plan to make using your ruffle yarn!

Also, it means the world to me when you share fun things like this with your crafty friends.  Please use the social media buttons below to share with someone you think would love this!