Over the winter I found this Woolrich sweater at the thrift store--I loved the brown tweed wool but the sweater was really boxy and too large for me.
It was in excellent shape, so I decided to buy it and reclaim the yarn.
I used the instructions found here, and ended up with these hanks of wool. The yarn didn't come out nice and straight, but it worked just fine.
And, I had exactly enough to make myself the Drops shawl collar and moss stitch sweater,
I decided to go with long sleeves so I would get more use out of it.
Instead of the crocheted edging, I added button loops--I love using these and found the tutorial here.
It fits well and I love wearing it...and even including the coconut buttons, it didn't cost me much more than six or seven dollars!
For more details, see my Ravelry page.
Wow, you're amazing! It looks great!
ReplyDeletenow that's what I call some serious repurposing! It's beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. You are a thrifting, knitting goddess. This is a frugal dream -- reclaiming the yarn and then making something truly beautiful with it?? Wow -- thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteWow! LOVE it!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou are a genious! Did it ever occur to you that the yarn wasn´t enough? I really like your sweater.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous accomplishment! It's beautiful...and green! :)
ReplyDeletethis is the most marvellous bit of thrifting and repurposing I have ever seen. I am so utterly impressed! Your new cardie is beautiful and so much more worthy of the lovely yarn than the old boring. How awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love your new sweater, even more knowing that it's "recycled". Good for you. I'm going to have to try that since I can't usually afford the really nice yarns!
ReplyDeleteSimply genious, simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteNow that's clever.
ReplyDeleteLook at you, you are too much!
ReplyDeleteI've been getting back into knitting again after many years away from it and this is a fabulous sweater that I may have to try.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea, to repurpose yarn. Your sweater is super cute. I've added to my favorites on Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteknit-a-latte....
Gorgeous sweater Deb! Love the colour too.
ReplyDeletewow, I'm speechless...that is one amazingly beautiful sweater...and it looks fabulous on you!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful sweater! I never thought of reclaiming yarn from an old sweater before. It's such a great idea! I love your knitting projects... they make me realize I really need to move beyond knitting scarves!!
ReplyDeleteWow you did an amazing job. So talented. I love it when we can remake things and enjoy them for a longer time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever girl you are!! I love it - and you did such a beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteThat is outstanding! Not only did you re-use the yarn for this sweater, but you made something even more beautiful and cheap! I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat idea to reuse the yarn. Your sweater looks great
ReplyDeleteSoooooo much better than the original - and I just love the idea of reclaiming yarn! In fact, there was an article in the Austin paper this weekend about two guys who have made a business out of reclaiming yarn. So cool!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute style! It looks great on you and the yarn was a bargain-to-boot. That's inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThat is SO awesome! I know how difficult it is to frog a sweater and mine was cotton! Very nice job. I LOVE your new sweater. It is such a beautiful pattern and yours turned out fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLove the pattern and you have done a great job....It looks so warm:0)
ReplyDeleteVery Cute!!
ReplyDeleteI love it, a well spent $6 or $7. I wish I was more of a knitter but I'd be lucky to finish the unraveling - good job.
ReplyDeleteLovely - what patience you have!
ReplyDeleteThat is the coolest thing I've EVER seen... I think I'll pick my jaw off of the floor, now... if I can.
ReplyDeleteWow!! I love that *new* sweater!!
I'm so in love with your sweater! It's just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou clever girl....it is very pretty!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful. I love these sweaters. I wish I had the patience to crochet/knit. Love your blog ;)
ReplyDeleteYou are very, very talented. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. What a wonderful idea to repurpose the yarn.
ReplyDeleteRuth
I love the idea of repurposing a sweater and yours turned out great. Enjoy it :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous sweater! What a great example of recycling! Love it--wish I could knit!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love it -- it's absolutely beautiful. I've never reclaimed yarn. The idea is fabulous because I so love really nice (um, expensive) yarn. What a neat idea!
ReplyDeleteso impressive!!
ReplyDeletei'm still stuck on only knitting "straight things" like scarves and dishcloths....ah, someday i will venture out!
Deb! That sweater looks fantastic! Often, home made sweaters look, well, home made. Not yours! It is absolutely off the rack professional looking, perfect and super cute. YOU are one talented individual! Thank you for the inspiration! I'm signing off to work on a dishcloth or something. I've got alot of learning to do before I'll be able to create such works of art!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!!! Deb! That is amazing! What a transformation! You did an absolutely beautiful job with it!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe yarn look so much better knitted up in a pattern that includes some texture. The jacket sits do beautifully and will be excellent for "between seasons". It is glorious (just like its maker)!
ReplyDeleteThe sweater is gorgeous. I think you are my hero!
ReplyDeleteThis beginning knitter is amazed!
ReplyDeleteOh Yay! Thanks for the important reminder to look at old jumpers in a new light for reclaiming the wool. I am an experienced knitter but I must be slow...I so envy how many projects you and Debbie (from Simply Me) get done!
ReplyDeleteThat is GORGEOUS! Wow!
ReplyDeleteNow, THAT was absolutely brilliant and beautiful! I wish I could knit something besides scarves and dishcloths!!
ReplyDeleteI love my new bag from your firefly shop. Thanks! Photo here:
ReplyDeletehttp://cornersofmylife.blogspot.com/
Do you just love it?? Precious!
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a transformation!! I'm presuming you weighed the yarn to make sure there was enough and did a tension square to get the correct sized needles. I've got some reclaimed yarn I've had for a while but haven't had any inspiration for what to do with it yet.
ReplyDeleteTeresa x
How nifty girl!! I love the makeover on this sweater and I love the new design you picked out. Great job!
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous sweater and looks just perfect on you.
ReplyDeleteJody
I love the sweater. It looks great on you and I enjoy your blog, you do such a beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteHow did you know that you would have enough yarn for that sweater?
I am just floored at what you were able to do with this. That is absolutely amazing and beautiful! How talented you are!
ReplyDeleteOMG - you're kidding, you bought a sweater, unraveled the yarn, and knit a beautiful new sweater for yourself. You are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteAloha Deb; This is the first time visiting your blog, thanks to 'Blogging for Bliss'. Mahalo (thank you)for sharing, your blog is beautiful. I love using knitted dish towels; made a few of my own. Your waffle pattern is so pretty, I'm going to make some for my kitchen too. I was looking for the "follow" button on your blogsite but couldn't find it, so I guess I'll be checking in with you daily. Again, mahalo for sharing such a beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteit looks so professional.
ReplyDeleteOh my, that's beautiful...and to think you made it out of a thrifted sweater. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely cardie! BTW you mentioned that the wool was all crinkly after unpicking the sweater. I remember being told by an auntie to steam the wool. ie unpick but wind it into loose hanks. Steam it, then roll into balls. I have this vague memory of her steaming it over a pot/bowl of water?
ReplyDeleteI bet the steam iron would do the trick.
well seems like lots of other people are also very impressed with your work here with unravelling the jumper and knitting such a gorgeous cardigan with the wool, so it's not just me, it is lovely, I must say!
ReplyDeleteliz