Make Yarn from Newsprint ~ DIY
From the news sheets of bygone days can actually produce a yarn that is even suitable for crocheting and knitting. It can be used to make small pen containers or baskets for storing wool. The things designed in this way are unfortunately not durable for they have a beautiful look.
The Dutch designer Greetje van Tiem came up with the idea to spin yarn from newsprint. This can actually be used in everyday life. Examples can be found on their website. I loved the idea so much that I immediately tried to make yarn from my old papers. After a few failed attempts, it actually worked. First, newspapers are cut into strips. I used strips two and three centimeters wide. Generally, depending on the desired thickness of the yarn, strips of one to four centimeters wide can be processed into yarn. For better stability, I have stuck the strips before screwing with a glue stick.
The fiber direction makes the difference
In the beginning I made two crucial mistakes. The yarn breaks when twirling when it gets wet. Even if the newsprint can be rolled up better with wet fingers, do not use it. Otherwise, the yarn breaks permanently when being screwed in. Mistake number two: do not cut the newspaper horizontally in the direction of writing into strips, but practically cut the writing down from top to bottom. The sentences in the newspaper must therefore not be read. This is especially important because of the grain direction. As soon as I cut the newspaper in the direction of writing, the threads are constantly torn when they are screwed in. Once the newspaper is cut vertically from top to bottom in strips, also keeps the spun yarn and is very long.
The strips are screwed in between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand. At the beginning, wrap the finished yarn around the index finger of the left hand. Once longer, it can be wound on a spool, a wooden stick or a pen. New strips are simply glued to the end with the glue stick and then can be further wound. The strips are easier to screw in once they are folded lengthwise in the middle and glued. Do not fold the lower end. There, the new strip is glued. This is how we gradually create a yarn with a very special look. Partly still individual letters and words are to be seen.
This is needed:
- newsprint
- scissors
- glue stick
- Spool or wooden stick
