Busy Hands
September 6, 2007
I recently finished a 100% wool, shell-stitch, crocheted afghan. It worked up so soft and lovely. I can’t wait until we have wool of our own to spin.
Knitting and crocheting are two of my favorite seated activities. I get such pleasure watching the work increase in size. The finished project is always useful as well as lovely. It takes very little time to make most projects and gives me something to do in the afternoons and evenings.
Each year I learn to make something new. I have made afghans, shawls, stocking hats, scarves, tam-o’shanters, socks (my favorite), string bags, dish cloths, mittens, vests, sweaters, and lace. I’m trying to decide what to learn this year.
One idea intrigues me. I have heard that you can buy old wool sweaters and unravel them, wash the wool, and then reknit (or crochet) with the yarn. I’d like to look into this further. What a great way to increase my yarn stash without purchasing new.
I’d also like to learn to quilt this winter. My daughter, HM will be teaching me. Isn’t that something? My 17 year old daughter is going to teach me to quilt!
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September 6, 2007 at 7:02 pm
What a lovely afghan! I have bought sweaters at the thrift store and unraveled them in the past. Last fall I bought one (not wool) and made two string shopping bags out of it for Christmas presents for my mom and sister. They loved them! The biggest challenge for me is washing the yarn gently enough not to felt it but enough to get the thrift store smell out. The smell of my local thrift store is rather potent!
September 7, 2007 at 7:03 am
Danica,
How did you decide where to start unraveling? Obviously, I haven’t started doing any sort of research. I just know it is a step I want to add!
And why is it that thrift stores have that odor? It is very potent!
Kim
September 8, 2007 at 9:50 am
You need to pay attention to the inside of the sweater if you want to recycle the yarn. A lot of manufacturers knit a rectangle and then cut pieces out of it, so look to see that the garment was knitted to shape, rather than cut and sewn.
Also, be careful what you wish for in regards to having your own wool to spin. I got 4 sheep thinking that would be a managable amount for a year, but I haven’t finished up the first year yet, and I’m on year 5 now. I am swimming in fleece! Gonna have to start selling it soon I guess. I also noticed that I’ve started craving other fleeces (different breeds) so I think perhaps I could trade some.
Have fun quilting! Once you get the hang of the rocking stitch it’s a piece O cake.
September 11, 2007 at 10:35 am
Hmm . . . I bet most modern sweaters are cut and sewn. I hadn’t thought of that.
RIght now we only have 2 sheep, but there are 2 knitters/crocheters in our house and we go through a lot of wool! I think this year we have used 10 pounds. There are still 3 months to go too.
Kim