How to Turn Old Jeans into Yarn

Got a stack of old jeans that are too stained, too ripped, or too small to wear? Don’t toss them just yet—turn them into beautiful, scrappy, handmade denim yarn! This isn’t just a how-to… it’s a peek into how I figure things out with a little coffee, a little chaos, and one crafty dog who keeps stealing my thread. 🐾🧶

Don’t toss those tattered old jeans just yet — we’re turning them into yarn! Yes, yarn. Soft, rustic, frayed-around-the-edges kind of yarn that’s perfect for wrapping, bows, florals, and whatever cozy chaos you’re crafting next. In this post, I’ll walk you through my slightly chaotic, slightly coffee-stained process of cutting, ripping, and spiraling denim into continuous strands. It’s part experiment, part therapy… and totally addicting.

✂️ What You’ll Need:

    •    Old pair of jeans (the softer and more worn, the better)
    •    Scissors or rotary cutter
    •    Ruler or cutting mat (optional but helpful)
    •    A stubborn streak and a bit of patience 😆

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🔄 How to Cut Jeans Into Continuous Yarn

1. Leg Technique is the easiest of all.

Create a fringe like cuts on the side around 2 inches max wide and then connect them . Make sure to watch video below

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2. Make the Spiral Cut

Make vertical slits about 1” apart—but don’t cut all the way through! You’ll spiral it later like a paper lantern. Make sure to watch video

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4. Stretch and Roll

Pull gently to soften the strip, then roll it into a chunky, rustic yarn ball ready for your next craft project.

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🎨 What to Use Denim Yarn For:
    •    Wrapping gifts or wreaths
    •    Weaving baskets (guess what I’m doing next!)
    •    Tying up tags, bows, or even tassels
    •    Or just… giving it to Jack apparently.

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🐶 Bonus: Jack Stole My Yarn

Somewhere between cutting and wrapping, Jack got inspired and ran off with my ball of yarn. I followed the yellow brick road of thread to his hideout. Yes, there’s video. Yes, it’s hilarious.

👉 [Watch it here on Facebook / Instagram / YouTube Short —

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💬 Tell Me:

Have you ever tried making yarn from unexpected things? Would you make this? And… who in your house would steal it first? 😂