Deconstructing sweaters

[phloxyloxy]

I am thinking of deconstructing/unraveling a couple of old sweaters I have here at home so that I have some yarn to play with in the upcoming weeks. I feel kind of bad though, because they're still WEARABLE sweaters. It's just that I haven't worn them in years (for the most part they're too short now. Or are tight turtlenecks). Some of the yarn

Comments

[mhuzzell]

I've never done it myself, though I'm aware of the process in theory and from talking to a friend who likes to do it (the same woman who taught me how to knit!)

However, all the advice-tidbits I have for you are already on that blogspot blog you link to. So, good luck!

[phloxyloxy]

Thanks! So far I've done both arms, but it's surprisingly time consuming! Do you think the washing/hanging/stretching out the kinks in the yarn part is necessary?

[awomanthatsblue]

Sometimes I wash mine, and sometimes I don't. Usually it makes for a more pleasant knitting experience if you do give it a good rinse to get some of the kinks out.

My other advice would be to find some quality tv to watch while you unravel. :)

[awomanthatsblue]

Yeah, some sweaters are either knit the alternating-rows way, and some are actually cut out of knit fabric. Those totally aren't worth your time to unravel. Usually if you look at the seams you can tell if it's a garment that's been entirely knit back and forth. Usually these are the more expensive garments.

I ALWAYS unravel sweaters! Especially if I haven't worn them in a couple of years and have a feeling I won't wear them again. It's gotten to the point where my mom bought me a gorgeous teal sweater for my birthday, and right after "Oooh, new sweater!" my brain went "That'll make an awesome shawl in six years or so!"

[phloxyloxy]

Yeah I've already gone through my old sweaters to determine which have nice seams, but unfortunately a lot of them are faded, so I don't even know if I would want to use the yarn for anything.

Do you think it would be okay to try to make a new, smaller sweater or vest out of this yarn, or should I stick to accessories, for fear of running out (or some other reason)?

If you've got pattern suggestions, I will GLADLY take them. The yarn is a burgundy heather with red, yellow, and white flecks in it. I think it looks kind of boring in a stockinette, but it might make a cute cardigan.

I put pics up in my Ravelry stash if you would like to have a gander.