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Issue 3 of CraftSanity Magazine is now available.
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CraftSanity on TV: Making Potholder Loopers Out of Recycled T-shirts
Remember these? This week’s craft “Take Five” TV segment is an ode to the looper pot holder. Oh, how I love the loopers. Seriously, folks, I doubt I’ll ever outgrow my the little pot holder loom.
I just learned how to make loopers out of recycled T-shirts and I want to share this great info with all of you. I got this great idea from the super creative Beerhorst family. The whole family will be featured in this Sunday’s Home & Garden section of the Grand Rapids Press. So prepare yourself to be inspired. (I’ll post links this weekend.)
Brenda Beerhorst taught her children how to make recycle loopers and her daugther, Pearl, 15, really took off with the idea and sells a line of recycled pot holders at Grand Rapids art markets under the label “Pearl’s Pot Holders.”
The Beerhorst family posted a great tutorial on Flickr that explains it all. You can adjust the measurements depending on the stretch of the fabric you’re working with.
I’ve been cutting t-shirts into rectangles that are about 2.5″ by 6″ so they’re easy for my daughters to stretch across the loom. Pearl cuts hers a little shorter, but it’s all a matter of personal preference. Just test out a couple pieces before you cut up a whole shirt. I use a rotary cutter, plastic cutting template and cutting mat to speed up the process, but scissors work just fine, too.
This is a great way to recycle old T-shirts hogging space in your drawer. If you want more colors, visit your local thrift shop. I lucked out and found two tie-dyed shirts on the same trip. They weave up great.
I have plenty of pot holders, so I’m likely going to sew my woven jersey squares together to make a wild patchwork rug or picnic blanket. You could also make totes and bags out of the squares, too. What have you made out of your looper pot holders? Please share your ideas below. 
Posted: July 10th, 2009 under Green Crafting, TV, weaving.
Comments: 24
Comments
Comment from Turtle
Time: July 10, 2009, 11:36 am
i do remember these and lvoed them! (wonder if my mom still has my frame!) what a good idea!
Comment from Bev
Time: July 10, 2009, 4:25 pm
Love the fresh colours on those t-shirts. It’s a good idea!
Comment from Diane Roeder
Time: July 11, 2009, 3:17 am
Jennifer,
What a wonderful idea; I have loads of tee shirts saved up. But where did you find that lovely wooden potholder loom?
Diane
Comment from Stacie.Make.Do.
Time: July 11, 2009, 8:04 am
A few years ago I made a big loom from scrap lumber and finishing nails and then used the entire width of some t-shirts for loops to make a throw rug. Love the idea of patching small ones together ala granny square style.
Comment from JayeL
Time: July 11, 2009, 8:34 pm
I had one of these looms when I was a kid and sincerely disliked the feel of the loops. Recycling t-shirts is fantastic! Much better than sending them off to the goodwill (not that supporting the Goodwill isn’t a great idea, but I am pretty sure they have enough t-shirts!) ;-).
I love Stacie’s idea of making a throw rug.
Comment from Eileen
Time: July 12, 2009, 9:25 pm
love this idea. We have t-shirts coming out the yingyang with 4 kids in sports. Will try…
Comment from Sarah
Time: July 13, 2009, 6:08 pm
Great segment Jennifer. I’m so happy that you have decided to follow your heart. You are very inspiring. I saw your interview from knit & crochet today this weekend. Obviously a rerun but fun to see on tv.
Comment from Marce
Time: July 15, 2009, 8:04 pm
It was so cool to see you “live” and in person. You are very comfortable in front of the camera which made for a great segment. I’m a long time listener and happy to have been along for the journey to Episode 100! :) You and your guests make for excellent company during my work travel.
Thank you Jennifer!
Pingback from CraftSanity » First Step: Quit Day Job. Second Step: Make and Sell Wooden Potholder Looms
Time: September 1, 2009, 8:43 am
[...] CraftSanity on TV: Making Potholder Loopers Out of Recycled T-shirts [...]
Comment from Tami Knox
Time: September 2, 2009, 3:26 pm
Hooray! I recently sought out loops for potholders; all I could find were the awful synthetic sort of things (surely, they melt!). This is a great idea. Also, the new looms are awful, I’ll be buying one of yours!!
Comment from Ice cream carts
Time: April 22, 2010, 5:39 am
Love the idea of patching small ones together ala granny square style.
Comment from Wood privacy fence
Time: May 8, 2010, 3:25 pm
Interesting research about youth engagement thank you. These are surprising figures of youth voters.
Comment from Wood privacy fence
Time: May 13, 2010, 12:54 pm
So far, Brenda Beerhorst has created a Facebook page dedicated to the issue. Their 15-year-old daughter has posted a YouTube video celebrating the family’s bond to their brood.
Comment from Fiberglass pool prices
Time: May 19, 2010, 5:08 pm
Recycling t-shirts is fantastic! Much better than sending them off to the goodwill. I did read this blog and it was very interesting. I liked the second part the most.
Comment from Pull behind mower
Time: May 26, 2010, 5:23 pm
Great segment Jennifer. An article very well written. I agree with what your writing.
Comment from Used canoes for sale
Time: May 28, 2010, 11:41 am
This is a great idea. Also, the new looms are awful, I’ll be buying one of yours!! Great segment Jennifer.
Comment from Motorcycle turn signals
Time: May 30, 2010, 3:54 pm
A few years ago I made a loom large pieces of wood and nails without a head and then used the full width of a few shirts for the loops to make a rug. Love the idea of patching together small square style wing grandmother.
Comment from Leone
Time: September 14, 2010, 1:55 am
You might need to cut yours longer than Pearl because she cuts hers on the opposite grain as you. The length or her strips is the width of the shirt which has the greater stretch.
Comment from Loretta Hanes
Time: January 29, 2012, 9:12 pm
I loved this idea. How do you finish the edges to keep them from unraveling? Also how do you bind them together?
Comment from Ann
Time: April 16, 2012, 8:51 am
would like to know where and how we could purchase on
Comment from Heidi
Time: August 3, 2012, 10:51 am
Do you have instructions on how you sewed the finished potholder squares together?
Pingback from DIY Holiday Gift Ideas « Connect Shore
Time: December 14, 2012, 3:47 pm
[...] tutorial! Buy a simple potholder loom (like Loop & Loom) online or at your nearby craft store. This tutorial teaches how to make it with old t-shirts, but you can just use the loops included with the kit. [...]
Comment from JANICE
Time: February 28, 2013, 11:49 am
I would like to purchase a wood potholder loom, do you sell them? Thanks have a good day ♥
Comment from Elisabeth Jacobi
Time: March 7, 2013, 12:30 pm
I also would like to purchase a wood potholder loom, do you sell them to Germany per PAYPAL?
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