What Can I Use As a Guide to Cut Rug Yarn 3 Inches Long?
Latch hooking kits for creating your own rugs generally come with pre-cut yarn or you can purchase pre-cut rug yarn. If the pre-cut yarn isn't the length you want, or the right fiber composition or color, it's easy to cut your own rug yarn by creating a guide for accurate cutting.
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Possible Materials
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When deciding what to make your guide out of, consider stiff materials that can be cut easily and accurately with either a pair of scissors, craft knife or box cutter. Some common sources include thin cardboard or oak tag, such as the back of a notebook. Corrugated cardboard is too thick for this project. Also consider flexible plastic for durability, such as thin cutting boards or place mats.
Sizing Considerations
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To determine what dimensions to cut your material, you'll need to decide whether you want to cut once or twice. Cutting twice will allow you to cut twice as many pieces of yarn per wrapping, but it can be awkward to have to cut the yarn in half once it's off the guide, leading to small variations in length. Cutting once is simpler and more accurate, but more time consuming.
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How to Make and Use a Cut-Once Guide
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Cut a 1 1/2-inch wide strip the full height of your material. For instance, if you are using the back of the notebook your guide will measure 1 1/2-by-11 inches. Tape the end of the yarn down so the end is lined up at one short edge. Wind the yarn tightly around the guide, without overlapping or stretching. Tape the far end of the yarn so it is pointing the same direction as the other end. Hold the guide flat against the table, with the short side pointed toward you. Slide your scissors under the yarn on the side the two ends are pointing to, and cut the loops all the way up. Untape the ends and your yarn is ready to use. Repeat to create enough yarn for your project.
How to Make and Use a Cut-Twice Guide
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Follow the directions above, except cut the guide 3-inches wide and cut the wrapped yarn on both edges.
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References
- Photo Credit handcrafted yarn image by mrslevite from Fotolia.com
