| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| cmandle |
Posted - Jan 13 2005 : 7:11:30 PM
My girlfriend brought me a sweater from a secondhand shop that she thought I would absolutely adore - I do, it's almost Norwegian looking. The trouble is that it's way too long. If I were able to lop off about 8 inches (seriously, it's super long), then it would be perfect.
Now, I've cut off the bottoms of scarves, re-knit a few rows and bound off from where I originally cast on. That's no big deal. But I'm curious to know if you can do this with sweaters?
The sweater has gray cuffs, so there's precedent for a different color - a newly knit gray bottom that's much shorter would be a dream.
What do you all think? Can this be done? I suppose I should just do it since the sweater was only $5, but I always get a little nervous when taking shears to a fine piece of knitting.
Catherine
* knitter * gardener * proud wife of dan * owned by lucy the cat * |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bridge |
Posted - Sep 25 2005 : 6:59:07 PM
Kiya,
How do you recycle the sweaters? How do you know where to snip to begin un ravelling the sweater? I been wanting to try this. But do not not know how to begin???... We have a really cool thrift store that has 1/2 off on Wed. I was thinking I could get some really cool recycled yarns this way! |
| sqrl |
Posted - Sep 23 2005 : 1:58:40 PM
You could make a blanket out of it, with a few other sweaters, thats what I did last Christmas. I had all these sweaters that I love but were just too big so I cut them intho big squares sowed them together and used flannel as the backing. I love this blanket, it's really heavy and warm.
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com www.sisterhood.sqrlbee.com
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| dg7954 |
Posted - Sep 20 2005 : 07:04:47 AM
I have in the past (after a shot of tequila) cut more than one sweater to make it smaller both lengthwise and widthwise. I once made a Maggie linen sweater way too big in both directions. If you cut leaving enough to pick up stitches and start knitting, it works great. I even have made pleats and I wear the sweater all the time. Just don't cut too much off and you are golden. Good luck and don't forget the tequila...it helps you to make the first cut. |
| AnnieT |
Posted - Aug 31 2005 : 08:19:49 AM
Absolutely you can re-knit the bottom of a sweater, although as Eileen said, many sweaters are knit from the bottom up (but not all!). That shouldn't make a difference, though, if the sweater is knit in stockinette (plain knitting) and you just add ribbing to the bottom. Just make sure that you bind off your stitches loose enough, or you won't ever get it over your hips.
Annie |
| kiyabutterfly |
Posted - Feb 07 2005 : 11:17:11 PM
I'm just having to much fun.. Money isn't the only reason to recycle old sweaters into "new" yarn, with a little patience it's fun.. Love thrift shopping anyway, imagine finding 4 large balls of wool for under 1.50... Hehee all i had to do is rip the vest apart, I knew it was handmade by looking at it and no label usually is a sure way to tell a handknit some awesome bluish grey chunky wool .. I felt a little guilt,  knowing someone put a lot of love into knitting this, note I said a little guilt... Kiya |
| cecelia |
Posted - Jan 23 2005 : 6:12:13 PM
Bramble - thanks for your ideas. I have been toying with the idea of boiled wool since seeing some articles on vacation. I put an old Nordic style vest, and a denim color wool sweater in a hot water bath (machine - so the water would get wrung out really well) then put them in my dryer. They've been sitting there waiting for me to decide what to do with them. Now, I just might make up some mittens. Had been thinking of making a purse also.
Cecelia
ce's farm
"Curiosity is one of the forms of feminine bravery" Victor Hugo |
| bramble |
Posted - Jan 22 2005 : 12:17:43 PM
Although I don't knit beyond knit and pearl I have made things from
sweaters. We had two really neat Christmas sweaters that had been outgrown and I couldn't bear to part with them. Saw an article somewhere for boiled wool mittens and decided to try it. Just put the sweater in hot water and allow to dry( I spun it the washer to quicken the drying time). When dry place your pattern (trace your hand w/ thumb extended and add 3/4" for the seam) on top and cut out. Zig zag (or serge your seams) and duplicate with lining
and place inside .Use stretchy cuff fabric to finish with a quick seam attaching the inner and outer mitten to the cuff. I used the front of the two sweaters to make holiday pillows and everyone loved them. It's fun, quick and the mittens are really warm!
with a happy heart |
| Eileen |
Posted - Jan 13 2005 : 7:47:37 PM
Sweaters are usually knit from the bottom up so taking it apart at the bottom might be a bit like taking a chian stitch out from the wrong direction but if you can cut it off and then pick up the loops of the stitches it seems like it would work. Never thought of trying that. Was it made by hand or machine? You could also cut it off and sew on a new ribbing. Let us know how it goes. My mother in law used to take apart whole sweaters, clean the yarn and reknit a whole new sweater. Cheeper than new yarn when money is tight.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
