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From Trend to Tote: My First Experience with T-Shirt Yarn

Updated: Jul 29

Like many knitters, I’ve been watching the t-shirt yarn trend pick up speed — especially with summer bags taking over social media and craft circles. But these past few weeks, I didn’t just observe the trend — I hopped right in as a test knitter, and let me tell you… I’m officially hooked.


I had the chance to test knit the #LakeErieToteBag, a brand-new pattern from my friend Holly over at @defiknitlytasteful. It’s now available on Ravelry and Etsy.



Trying T-Shirt Yarn for the First Time

I’ll be honest — I was a bit hesitant to try t-shirt yarn at first. It wasn’t something I had ever worked with, and I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of feel, stretch, or how it would behave on the needles. Plus, sourcing it felt a little daunting. Some brands can be pricey, and it’s not always clear what you're getting — especially when shopping online. Would it be stiff? Too bulky? Would I need to adjust the pattern? There were definitely a few question marks going in.


But once I actually found some and started working with it — and especially once I got a feel for how it behaved — I was totally sold. The structure it gives is amazing, and the texture is surprisingly soft and smooth to knit with. If you’ve been curious about trying t-shirt yarn but are unsure... I get it. But I’d encourage you to give it a shot — especially on a pattern like this where the structure and durability of the yarn really shine.


Why I Loved Knitting This Bag

What really surprised me about knitting this bag was how much I genuinely enjoyed working with t-shirt yarn. I had my doubts at first — I wasn’t sure if it would be stiff, overly bulky, or hard on my hands. But once I got going, I found the yarn soft, smooth, and really satisfying to knit with. It gave just enough resistance to feel sturdy on the needles, but not so much that it was a struggle.


The best part? Watching it take shape. T-shirt yarn builds structure so quickly — each row feels productive and substantial. The yarn gives the bag this amazing structure and modern vibe that feels right at home on the beach, at the market, or on a morning coffee run.


Details Every Knitter will Appreciate

Feel & Texture

T-shirt yarn creates a fabric that’s strong, slightly stretchy, and incredibly functional — perfect for bags or other items that need to hold their shape. It has this plush but firm quality that gives the project real presence, and it’s surprisingly gentle on your hands, even with bulkier needles.


Sustainability & Sourcing

One of the standout features of t-shirt yarn is that many options are made from recycled materials, often from textile industry remnants. That means less waste, and a more eco-friendly stash. Sourcing might seem intimidating at first, but once you find a brand you like, it’s totally worth it.


Stretch Potential & Customization Options

The stretch in the yarn also opens up possibilities for shaping and structure in ways you might not expect from something so chunky and I had so much fun experimenting! (I always do!) I went with a bright, playful pink and white for one version and something more minimal and neutral for the other. There’s so much inspiration already out there, especially from other testers (definitely worth browsing the #LakeErieToteBag hashtag on Instagram!).



Working on the Lake Erie Tote Bag gave me a whole new appreciation for t-shirt yarn. Before this, I wasn’t sure if it was for me — I had never used it, and I had questions about how it would feel to knit with or how easy it would be to find. This pattern made it as easier transition into the unknown and I ended up with a tote that is not only cute - it's actually useful which is always the goal with knits!


One of the best surprises? I had just enough leftover yarn to make a little sunglasses case, which came together in no time and turned out to be the perfect matching add-on. That little project made me appreciate how far this yarn can go — and how much fun it is to experiment with.


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If you’ve been curious about trying t-shirt yarn or are hunting for a good summer bag project, I’d really recommend starting here. Holly’s Lake Erie Tote Bag is versatile, beginner-friendly (with video help if you need it), and just plain fun to knit. I can totally see myself making a few more — and loving each one for different reasons.

It’s definitely a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ kind of pattern and one to get your creativity sparked around the endless possibilities for that t-shirt yarn!



Crafting through chaos,

Stacie

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Yarn Spotlight:

✨ Version 1: A playful pink & white combo

✨ Version 2: A sleek neutral mint green



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