Turn old sweaters into totes

[crazycatladymel]

I made 3 yesterday, and have a shiny new knitting bag (plus a couple of prezzies) to show for it. I'm going to see if the pics work. If not, they're here & here.

For my knitting bag, I made the gusset a little deeper, so the bag is a teensy bit shorter, but wider too. Also added a second pocket inside. This was the scratchiest sweater I've ever seen, and I paid too much for it at the thrift store, but the colors were ME, and it felted up just great.


The aqua bag also has an interior pocket. The rust one's didn't lend itself to 2 pockets. It's a nice wide bag.


Drying are sweaters for another couple bags, a doggie sweater & some Christmas stockings (using the template on this page). To do the stockings, I'm going to get some of that thick clear vinyl for the pattern, so I can see the details of the material before I decide where to cut. For the doggie sweater, I'm using the pattern out of Vogue Knitting (on the go?) - Felting. It calls for you to knit a rectangle, felt it, then cut. I'm a knitter, but why knit a plain rectangle and cut it up, when I can felt a $2 Fair Isle cardigan and have that scrumptious detail?

The most I paid for a sweater was $5.99, which was INSANE at a thrift store (I swear, their pricers are insane sometimes), but I think I can get a tote bag out of the body, a Christmas stocking out of the sleeves, plus it had three gorgeous pewter clasp sets that I cut off and set aside. The cheapest find? A sweater vest for 15¢! Since - for this pattern - you have to cut off the sleeves, you may as well start with a vest. This one might become a stocking - not sure - but I will be on the lookout for vests if I need to get more felting material!

[crazycatladymel]

Oh, and seriously - do not toss the sleeves! I cut most of mine open (I cut out 5 bags but only sewed 3) and some of them are pretty big. They may lend themselves to smaller totes, pin cushions, cat toys (the gray sleeves are destined to be catnip mice).

I think you could easily get a mitten out of each sweater's sleeves, for an unmatched set (you could get a whole pair of child mittens out of a sweater).

You can also take a length of sleeve (closer to the wrist) and sew it closed on one end, stuff it with fiberfill or scrap material and add a hefty dose of catnip, then sew the other end closed. Giant catnip-filled bunny-kicking kitty toy.

Finally, if you've seen the book where this pattern comes from (Alterknits - I love it), there are directions for a throw. Using smaller pieces from the sleeves, you could make a faboo pet blanket (cats seem to love the wool). I'd say baby coverlet too, if you could back it, or it was used over a sheet.

[wokeupafraud]

DISCARD!

not in my vocabulary.

[crazycatladymel]

100% wool could be superwash -- treated to prevent felting. It's clearly marked when you buy yarn, but I've never seen it on a sweater label. I'm prepared now -- forgot all about that.

Ah... did a little research. If a sweater is "machine-washable," then it won't felt. So read the care instructions too. It should say "hand wash" or "dry clean." I don't know that that's a 100% guarantee, but it's a step in the right direction.

[LolaBella]

Wow!  That is such a great idea!  Must.make.bag!  Do you think you could make longer straps by using part of the sleeves?  I'm trying to work this out in my head and it seems like it would work but I'm not sure...  Wow, quick (and cheap) x-mas presents here I come!

[jeepers]

Just ran across this, and wow, am I excited!  What a great idea!  Thanks so much for taking the time to post...

[crazycatladymel]

Wow!  That is such a great idea!  Must.make.bag!  Do you think you could make longer straps by using part of the sleeves?  I'm trying to work this out in my head and it seems like it would work but I'm not sure...  Wow, quick (and cheap) x-mas presents here I come!

I haven't tried it yet, but I don't see why not. I'd limit the number of pieces & overstitch like crazy.

[Bastelmutti]

Here is mine; I am using it as a bag for my crochet projects. Ever since I read this thread, this idea has been knocking around in my brain. Glad I finally got to try it.

I posted all of the pics in a separate thread on the Purse Recon board. Sleeves are great! I also made a pouch for my hooks and a small purse for my daughter out of those.

[craftykate]

oh wow. I have a goodwill sweater I planned to unravel. this will be so much easier!

[crazycatladymel]

Bastelmutti: wonderful detail work! That turned out great.

I agree about the sleeves. I've used them for fingerless mitts and a pop cozy/carrier for my dad's wheelchair (he loves it). So many possibilities!