How To Use Vcr Vhs Tape As Yarn
Tutorial Using Vcr Vhs Tape
Materials Needed:
Two vcr vhs video tape cartridges (long play t-120 preferred)
N (9 mm) crochet hook (metal preferred)
Small and large screwdrivers
Scissors
Rewind two old vcr tapes that you don’t have any further use of to begin.
Using two vhs tapes for this project, open up the cases by using your small screwdriver to unscrew the screws in each corner and the middle of the cases. Some varieties of cases do not have screws which you can take out. If you have that type of cartridge you will need to pry open the cases. A large flathead screwdriver works well to get the case open to reach the vhs tape reels.
Click photo to view full-sized
Click photo to view full-sized
Once you have the cases open, remove the reel that is holding the tape. Cut the tape off at the end of the leader tape with your scissors. Now you have two reels with vhs tape on each of them for your crafting project.
Click to view full-sized
Holding two strands of the vhs tape together works well for crocheting. Leave the tape on each reel and as you work your project it will just unwind.
Click photo to view full-sized
Crocheting with vhs tape is a bit hard on the fingers and joints because it isn’t real smooth to work with. Using ribbon yarn as shown below does help in the smoothness of your crocheting and allows the hook to move easier.
Click to view full-sized
Ribbon yarn shown with two strands of vhs tape
Enjoy your project using vhs tape and you can find all my free patterns here for making items with the recycled tape. Please email me if you have any questions.
Tags: recycled-vhs-tape, vcr-yarn, vhs-tape-yarn
Aug 09, 2007
[…] with and it’s all wound up on a nice reel. Of course you have to get this “yarn†ready. Here is a picture tutorial on how to use VCR tape as […]
Sep 12, 2008
[…] reciclando fita cassete, muito bacana a idéia. Pegue fitas cassetes velhas e mãos a obra veja o tutorial e faça a […]
Sep 12, 2008
[…] leftover yarn! Have you tried to knit with your old plastic shopping bags? Your old newspapers, VCR tapes? Yes, it’s possible! Everything is possible: you just have to be a little […]
Jun 15, 2010
[…] you most likely have lying around your house, like scrap t-shirts or plastic bags. You can even use those old VHS tapes for yarn for an awesome waterproof project! Other types of yarn you can make at home are newspaper yarn, […]
Jul 19, 2010
My daughter and her Dad found out that you can stretch out the VCR tape and it will make it more usable – it becomes more like thread.
Mar 09, 2011
[…] VCR VHF Tapes – When I first heard about crafters using VCR VHF tapes for knitting and crocheting, I thought the […]
May 06, 2011
I love to make yarn out of stuff, but my other hobby is vcr electronics. I rather enjoy watching old movies on tape, on my old tube tv set, and if anyone here has old vhs tapes, of good movies like “the hunt for red october”, please think of selling it on amazon. Please make yarn out of Barney the dinosaur tapes, (LOL)
Plastic grocery bag yarn makes great baskets.
Jun 08, 2011
Thanks for the recycling inspiration. I’m using “dead” (unplayable) videotapes (good prerecorded ones go to Goodwill to resell), and so far have just tried braiding the tape to make supports for my garden climbers (in place of twine). The trellis looks good and shimmers in the breeze — which may also help keep birds away from the crops.
I have to give Tom Hanks in CAST AWAY credit for the idea to braid VHS tape, until I’m ready to try using it for crochet.
Feb 02, 2012
[…] How To Use Vcr Vhs Tape As Yarn […]
Oct 29, 2012
[…] essere utilizzato come “filato” per realizzare tappetini per il bagno ed eco-zerbini. Questo sito spiega nel dettaglio come aprire (con cautela) le videocassette e utilizzare il nastro con […]
Feb 01, 2013
[…] ect.) are the obvious examples, but you can use anything that’s available. Pet fur and unspooled cassette or VHS tape are popular choices, as are materials that can be cut into long strips, like newspaper, […]
Jun 05, 2013
[…] http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/06/03/how-to-use-vcr-vhs-tape-as-yarn/ […]
Jan 14, 2016
I thought that there was going to be instructions, or directions of what kind of stitch that was used in the bag. Disappointed.
Jan 18, 2016
@Denise – I do have several patterns for using vhs tape on my site. Maybe you didn’t see them. Here is the link to the pattern page with them. http://www.myrecycledbags.com/my-pattern-links/#vcrtape Let me know if you have any questions on using the patterns. All the patterns are free and there are several different types of items you can make with varying stitches.
Best wishes and hope this helps you. 🙂
~Cindy
Jan 13, 2017
What!?!?!? You can do this!?!?! Finally a good purpose for VHS tapes 😉