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Other: From Sweater to yarn!
19 kudoz

From Sweater to yarn!

Here is the new yarn!

Here is the new yarn!
1600 yds were reclaimed in all.
This is the old sweater
Is this your project? Can you share instructions or a pattern with the Craftsy community?
Difficulty:

Category: Other

Type of item: Functional

For: Unisex

Style: Eco-Friendly

Materials

I took a cashmere sweater apart and reclaimed the yarn!

What was your inspiration?

I am a thrift store junkie, and I realized that there are cashmere sweaters to be had for practically nothing. I love reusing materials, so I knew there must be a good use for luxury sweaters! I have been reclaiming yarn for about a year now! I actually like UNknitting more than knitting!

What are you most proud of?

I save all the buttons, zippers and little bits for some use. The yarn is always washed after unknitting so the crimp is relaxed and it's ready for a new life.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

If you want to reclaim yarn from an old sweater, check out the chaotic crafter. There is a great tutorial here:
http://chaoticcrafter.wordpress.com/2008/01/21/reclaiming-yarn-from-a-thrift-store-sweater/

 

20 comments

Add your comment:

Carma Lujan on craftsy.com
Carma Lujan
Jan 14, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Last year I found a rack of XXL sweaters on clearance for $2.50 each so bought 8 of them in the same solid color to unravel. You just can't buy yarn that cheap!
geribaer@gmail.com on craftsy.com
geribaer@gmail.com
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
PLEASE TAKE ME OFF YOUR EMAIL LIST! YOU ARE CLOGGING UP MY FACEBOOK SITE!!!!!! Thanks.
fkolentsi316790 on craftsy.com
fkolentsi316790
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I grew up in England after the second world war. My mother used to knit sweaters for my sister and I then unpick them when they got too small, wash and reuse the wool, adding cuffs and ribbing in a contrating colour.
roxycat on craftsy.com
roxycat
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I like this idea!! I like thrift stores!! I am going to try this!!
ReggieAnn on craftsy.com
ReggieAnn
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Great idea. I love shopping at thrift stores. This is another way to save money and keep knitting. Thanks
babyducks on craftsy.com
babyducks
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I can't wait to try this!
Stellabee on craftsy.com
Stellabee
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Might like to try this! Moths have gotten into some of my sweaters (was devastated) so this would be a good time to unravel!
LizardsWish on craftsy.com
LizardsWish
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Also, garage sales will be picking up in the next few weeks....I'm ready for the hunt.
LizardsWish on craftsy.com
LizardsWish
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I'm excited about this new project. I was struggling on what to do with the sweater that my mother wore but has a stain on it, but now I know I can repurpose the sweater and cut out the yarn that is stained. I'm stoked!
marie-lynn.org on craftsy.com
marie-lynn.org
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I found that hunting designer sweaters goes a long way. I undid a smallish off-white Anne Klein alpaca sweater and had enough to make a luxurious, soft and thick cable knit scarf which is just awesome under my winter coat! I have made so many things from thrifted sweater including 80's Bill Cosby sweater cushion covers, Booties, arm warmers, teddy bears, scraves, etc. http://www.flickr.com/photos/marielynn/2479422488/
esqueue on craftsy.com
esqueue
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Love doing this, have frogged a number of thrift sweaters and saved the yarn or reused it. Super frugality at its best!
cnlknitr on craftsy.com
cnlknitr
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Take a good look at the seams. If it was commercially constructed by machine you don't have a sweater that ravels very far.... just seam to seam.
Shakinquaker on craftsy.com
Shakinquaker
Jan 09, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
How can you tell?
zipknitter on craftsy.com
zipknitter
Jan 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Have been doing this for about 30 years and have had some great finds. Got a bag full of 6 white lambswool sweaters for $1.00 last summer and need to get them unwound so I can use the yarn.
sheepgal54 on craftsy.com
sheepgal54
Aug 11, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
I am a spinner that grows her own wool. I have just found a way to find some exotic fibres to ply with my wool and make some interesting yarn Thank you for the idea!
zipknitter on craftsy.com
zipknitter
Jan 09, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
spinning is my biggest dream, but being on a really small income means I can't get a wheel no matter how hard I've tried.
pearlshay83185 on craftsy.com
pearlshay83185
Aug 07, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
great idea! a great way to reuse, and cheap!
Sheila Zachariae on craftsy.com
Sheila Zachariae
Craftsy Instructor
Jul 27, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Love your yarn and thanks so much for the link! I am going to try it! I, too, am a thrift store junkie since I was about 15!
S Sullins on craftsy.com
S Sullins
Jul 27, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Let me know how it goes!
zipknitter on craftsy.com
zipknitter
Jan 09, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
just remember that the darker the sweater the harder it is to find the yarn in the seams, so the harder it is to take apart.

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