Donnielle does this with tshirts.

recycled tshirt scarf

“I use tshirt yarn which I hadnt seen a lot of when I first made a scarf with it 2 years ago. Now it is more and more popular  – but still gets lots of comments and interest when I wear a piece out or am working on one in public.

I wash and hand cut the fabric I’m using wind it into a ball, and then knit it. I have an entire section in my store of upcycled / recycled items – mostly old tshirts mixed with some sheets and even a dupioni duvet cover!”

Donnielle                                           Recycled Knits by Design Knit Fun

You could turn old dresses, bed covers and coats into vests, hats, hanging organizers, or rag rugs. The only limit to using these items in other ways is you individual creativity and daringness to try.School children and their teachers have, for years, known the value of discards. I remember many an art project that started with some food container or other household item I had been instructed to bring to class that day. Why is it only children are “allowed” to be so creative and thought so cute for doing so? Why should we teach our children such creativity and ingenuity, only to stifle those same qualities in adulthood? It just isn’t fair.

Even our grandmothers learned how to recycle old clothing into new clothes for the kids, or into the warm quilt you lovingly have across your bed. One of the favorite all time blankets I’ve seen is the one my step son’s gramma made out of old jeans. It’s heavy, but really durable and really fun.

All you have to do is look around you with a creative and non-judgmental eye.

Yeah, really, there ARE girl geeks.

Click the picture to see.