Between the holidays coming up, crafting for charity and loved ones all year, and the economy here in America consistently on a downturn lately (or does it just feel like it?), I’ve been looking for unique ways to up-cycle found and thrifted items for either my use or holiday gift use. All this week I’ll be featuring some great projects, starting with two ideas for thrift store sweaters!
(image from Knit Quest’s website)
The first is this “Recycled Sweater” idea from Knit Quest. She links to a tutorial for taking a several sizes too big sweater from the thrift store, felting it down a bit, and turning it into a zip-front masterpiece!
(image from Craft Stylish website)
The second comes from Leethal’s first Craft Stylish post on holiday gift ideas – recycling sweater yarn! She takes you step by step through picking the “best” sweaters at the thrift store to taking apart the seams to washing your yarn once you’ve unraveled your sweater!
(image from Craft Stylish Website)
It’s not only the perfect way for a knitter or crocheter to save money on yarn this season, it’s a great way to keep up with your goal of reducing, reusing and recycling.
I love these ideas about recycling sweaters. Another idea is to use old sweaters to make new beach ball pillows. I have pictures and instructions at my site (FunInTheMaking.net).
Make something today!
Jane
I made some legwarmers, dresses, a purse, and a baby toy out of three sweaters-details at this post from October 9. http://betsyannlob.blogspot.com/2008/10/project.html
I love recycling sweaters to make little loveable things…I’ve also tried the idea you mentioned. I took a nice,too big wool sweater, and made it into a little lined sweater coat for my daughter this year. There are so many lovely natural fibers out there just waiting to be repurposed!