Ugly Wool Sweaters to Toasty-oasty Scarf

[rackycoo]

It's usually difficult to find wool sweaters in our thrift store, but for some reason, the last time I went, I hit the motherload. I purchased eight wool sweaters for under $2 apiece. Jackpot! I have been wanting a new winter scarf! All the sweaters were really wanting a nice bath, so I put them in the washing machine in hot water and started the felting process. Most of them were good with one round in the wash and dryer, but a few were stubborn and were forced back in for more torture. Once I pulled them out and noted their felty goodness, I chose five with colors that went together well and cut the backs of them into 6 inch wide strips of varying lengths. I pinned them together, and hand stitched them with a blanket stitch using different contrasting colors for each row, just for fun. The pinkish sweater had a sparkly band at the bottom and fun little pockets, so I used that for both of the ends of the scarf:


One layer didn't seem sturdy enough, so I made another length, and blanket stitched that to the back of the first scarf. Now it's incredibly warm, and looks great on both sides!


I'm very happy with my new winter scarf. It's over six feet long and took me just around 10 hours to do all the stitching, but I watched a lot of bad movies during the process, so it was totally worth it.
A couple more art shots:

Mmmm, nice and thick!

And


And here are the brave sweaters that gave their lives so that this scarf could be born. The grey one was full of holes anyway. 


I've been making felted roses with the rest of the scraps. My dog Stella loves them. 

[MareMare]

It turned out great! Love the colors.

[alwaysinmyroom]

A lot of work but the result is wonderful!  It looks so cozy and warm and pretty!

Good use of the scraps as well!

[batgirl]

That looks wonderful, I love the pockets!

Stella!!

[kittykill]

Awesome! Love the pockets and the rose model is just too vogue!

[moonshire]

great use of sweaters! I love the blanket stitch on the edge.  It really finishes the scarf quite well.

[feelingabitstitchy]

looks so warm and toasty! the blanket stitch really finishes it off nicely

[suzyscissors]

I bet that scarf is insanely comfy and the pockets are so cute! 

And I could have just died when I saw your pup with the felt rose!!

[Taramor]

Great scarf. So colorful and warm.

[D.I.Y.-ish]

thats just the coolest.
why can I never find wool sweaters when i go thrifting...

and I wuv your doggy..