Recently a commenter asked what they could do with all the old newspapers they had piling up. With enough time, patience, and newspapers you can create newspaper yarn. From the design studios of Greetje van Tiem and her “Indruk” project she can purportedly spins 20yds of “yarn” from a sheet of old newspaper.
![clip_image002[6]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image0026.jpg)
Similar to our post on Plarn, newspaper yarn can be woven into varying degrees of complexity to construct anything from curtains, to rugs, netting throws, or even upholstery. Its strength may be slightly less that of yarn but when spun tightly and woven into something like a mat the newspaper yarn is a durable and functional structure.
![clip_image002[8]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image0028.jpg)
![clip_image002[10]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image00210.jpg)
This great craft can create useable additions around the home and is a upcycle for your Sunday Post.
![clip_image002[12]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image00212.jpg)
Of course the question is "how to spin newspaper yarn?" Well the supplies are few, the skills basic, and the end possibilities immense.
![clip_image002[14]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image00214.jpg)
You will need:
- Scissors
- Newspaper
- Spindle
1) Take a full sheet from your paper and fold in to about fourths.
![clip_image002[16]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image00216.jpg)
2) Cut half inch strips along the width of this folded paper.
![clip_image002[18]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image00218.jpg)
3) Create a “lead” with your first strip by twisting it up tightly with your fingers.
![clip_image002[20]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image00220.jpg)
4) Wrap the lead around the base of your spindle to begin the process.
5) Use the spindle to continue twisting the paper in the same direction you began. When you get within about 4 inches of the end leave it untwisted so that your can splice the next strip together.
![clip_image001[7]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image0017.jpg)
6) The next strips twists together with the last via the “tail” of the prior strip.
![clip_image001[9]](http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/06/clip-image0019.jpg)
7) Keep rockin and rollin like this until you get to a desired amount of yarn baby!
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You can make your creations flame retardant (and unappetizing to bugs, if you have silverfish or the like) by soaking it in a solution of:
9 oz borax (in the laundry section of the store)
4 oz boric acid (get it at the pharmacy)
one gallon water
Soak your paper product in the solution until thoroughly saturated, then let air dry. You could soak first and then spin, or vice versa, I would guess. They use this type of solution (or similar ones) to fireproof and bug-proof recycled cellulose for building insulation. It’s totally non-toxic and while it’s probably not 100%-never-ever-burn proof, it’s good enough for building codes.
BTW, this also works for clothing and upholstery, although it washes out so you have to reapply it after you launder them.
Got to thinking about how some people are having problems with breakage, and maybe it’s because they’re cutting strips against the grain.
To tell which way the grain goes, try tearing a strip. If it rips cleanly and smoothly in a more or less straight line, that’s the grain direction. If it tears all jagged and doesn’t want to tear straight, that’s going against the grain. You want your strips to be cut lengthwise to the grain.
Dunno if that’s the problem, but figured it couldn’t hurt to make a note, lol.
This is a fantastic idea! Thank you for sharing!
I linked to this post here
http://siayla.blogspot.com/2009/04/earth-day-newspaper-flowers-and-more.html
great idea…
if you “pre-crinkle” the news sheets the yarn is mouch softaer and has more drape. take your news shet and crumble it up tightly un do it carefully, crinkle it again and roll the ball between your palms, the paper gets softer, now flatten out, cut your strips and spin. Much softer mmmmmmm maybe this would make a sweater. . . . .
This newspaper yarn and also the plastic yarn referred to are great recycling ideas. It is important to consider their uses and toxicity however. The flame retardant idea would probably work, but it sounds like you’d be adding some pretty toxic things to your home environment.
I’ve made things from “Plam” but I wouldn’t want to wear them even as a bracelet
I’ll stick to natural fibers every time. To help the planet survive, it’s best to stay away from synthetic yarns like acrylic that are made from petroleum which we need to conserve. Wear comfortable cotton, wool, alpaca, mohair, and bamboo (rayon)! These are sustainable fibers that are also very beautiful.
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This would also be a great way to just practice spinning! I think I am going to do this on my kick spindle to get me going!
what a great idea
Dude, this is AWESOME!!!
I wish I had the time to do this. I’ve actually got lots of newspapers lying around, but unfortunately there’s zero free time for me to do ,my creative stuff.
Is there a place to buy these products?
Sorry if I’m repeating the question, I’m at work and had no time to read through all the comments
This is such a fabulous idea! I may dust off my long-idle drop spindle and brush up my hand-spinning skills just to do this!
I weave rag rugs on a floor loom, and I was nosing around looking for inspiration for my next rag rug. I don’t do anything special to the rag strips I use (usually just torn sheets). So I just started stripping old newspapers into 1″ or so strips and started weaving with them.
I’m only about 6″ into the rug, so I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. When I get to the edge, I twist the newspaper strip to ease the turn. With rags or yarn, you “bubble” the strip across the warp but flat strips of newsprint won’t bubble. So I may have some weird draw-in. But so far it seems to be working well, and I have nice pile of papers to work with.
The sampler turned out well. It’s hard to tell it’s not some sort of fabric when you first look at it or handle it.
Sooo…these are the Times that dry men’s soles?
This is a cool idea. I don’t see myself doing it because of the time involved, but I think it’s a great idea for larger scale. very cool.
Awesomeness! But two things: Can you do this on a wheel? Don’t your hands get unbelievable filthy?
Really cool to see this. I’ve always wondered what to do with newspaper other than making paper/ paper mache. Thanks, I now have yet another green craft to try.
Hello There, thanks for this interesting article on paper spinning. I’m a drop spindle spinning teacher, so I found this subject to be very intriguing. Imagine my surprise when I saw that JoAnn’s carries spindles (who knew?!) and that they originally come from Lacis (lace museum and retail shop in Berkeley, CA). But, that’s not exactly what I wanted to share.
The spindle that is shown in the tutorial is a top whorl spindle (i.e. the weight is at the top) and it has a hook at the top of the shaft. However, the purchase link to the spindle at JoAnn’s is a bottom whorl spindle with no-hook. It requires that you know how to make a half-hitch to secure your yarn in progress. This can be a little confusing/frustrating for beginners. The nice thing about the Lacis spindle is that it is heavy (~5 oz.) which makes spinning paper a whole lot easier.
If you’re searching for a top whorl spindle with a hook, there are many places (such as Etsy OR your local yarn/fiber store) that would have access to nicer designs. Or, you can make your own with used cds, rubber grommets, a dowel and a cup hook. I think one of your readers already linked to that.
As you can see, I’m pretty obsessed with spinning, but I wanted to give you and your readers more information about spindle purchasing. And, if you’re ever in the Bay Area, I teach Drop Spindle Spinning at A Verb for Keeping Warm (natural dye studio).
they at the for sixs van trie halfs vorth of papers from home?Icame across this vhich vould be perfect seeing as Ihave a year and a halfs vorthnevpapers from home
Would like to chat with you about an idea.
Is that possible?
I’d be happy to call you. Please let me know how and when. Thisis exactly what I’ve been looking for but I have many questions!
Thanks in advance.
Best,
Wendy
This is a great idea but …. we’ve never done any spinning before and are definitely missing something.
We’ve made the cd spindle, but don’t quite see how it’s supposed to work. Can anyone give some extra hints?
Thanks!
Sure! Make sure the hook is on the top above the CD first. Don’t put it on the bottom part of the dowel (you’d be surprised at how many people put the hook on the bottom).
To start spinning using your spindle twist the paper with your fingers first (keep in mind which WAY you twist the paper: clockwise or counterclockwise). Now wrap that twisted part a couple of times around the base of the cuphook to secure it. Let the rest of the twisted part pass through the hook and up (you should have the twisted part pinched to keep the twist). Now you are ready to start spinning.
The easiest way for a beginner is the spin and stop method. Since you are just starting a yarn without a leader its a little tricky but just takes patience and practice. With one hand pinch with your finger and thumb right where the twisted part stops. With the other spin the spindle in the SAME direction you twisted your “leader” (clockwise or counterclockwise). When the spindle stops spinning in that direction and wants to go in the other direction, stop the spindle and place it between your knees to keep it from spinning.
Now the part you have pinched probably wants to fold onto itself. What you are going to do is take the hand that was spinning the spindle and pinch the untwisted part about 4 inches up from the twisted part. Now release the pinch on the twisted part and watch the twist go up the paper. If there is still more twist, repeat. Pinch about 4 inches above the twist, release and pinch again. When the twist has exhausted (no more twist going up) pinch where its tight and spin the spindle again. Keep going until you need to join and then follow the directions for joining on the blog.
If you are still confused, check out You Tube…they have many videos that will teach you how to use a drop spindle.
HTH
Won’t this break easily? I mean, is it practically possible to do something creative with this yarn? I’m deep into crocheting. I’ve done a lot of stuff with plastic bag crocheting. So was just wonderig…
Thanks for taking the time to discuss that, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on that topic. If achievable, while you gain experience, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is highly helpful for me.
If you want a great purse made from recycled newspapers at great prices check out the website:
mycoutureplanet.com
What a neat idea! Can’t wait to try this and share it with my spinning group!
Won’t this break easily? I mean, is it practically possible to do something creative with this yarn? I’m deep into crocheting. I’ve done a lot of stuff with plastic bag crocheting. So was just wonderig…
Great IDEA!!
My idea of a perfect store would have everying in bulk–BYO bags. Since that is not the case, I was estatic when I discovered plarn. So, you can only imagine my delight when I discovered yarn from t-shirts, yarn from blue jeans, and my latest recycled yarn find: yarn from newspaper…even though I get all my news on virtual paper these days!!