I'm one of those people who feels the cold. Deeply. I have to fight the urge to turn the thermostat up to 80 degrees or else walk around the house wrapped in a blanket, which impedes progress at every turn. But I found the next best thing.
I learned this little trick from my friend Joan, who learned it from her dear mom. Take an oversized wool pullover sweater, easily found at a thrift shop.
Using good sewing shears, carefully cut it up the middle. The sweater must be wool. The fake acrylic stuff, besides being ugly, won't work because it unravels when you cut it.
Next, fold the cut edges over and whip stitch them up. Easy peasy.
I love big old sweaters, but being short, the pullovers don't work for me. Turning them into cardigans works. Perfect for around the house.
I learned this little trick from my friend Joan, who learned it from her dear mom. Take an oversized wool pullover sweater, easily found at a thrift shop.
Using good sewing shears, carefully cut it up the middle. The sweater must be wool. The fake acrylic stuff, besides being ugly, won't work because it unravels when you cut it.
Next, fold the cut edges over and whip stitch them up. Easy peasy. 
I love big old sweaters, but being short, the pullovers don't work for me. Turning them into cardigans works. Perfect for around the house.
21 comments:
What a Brill idea! Thanks!
Clever! I hope it keeps you feeling very cosy.
Lucky you to find that jumper. It looks much better as a cardigan. Lovely to give it a second life.
Jodi,
You have to visit me in the summer, for the moment I'm dressed in, I don't know how many layers, I don't think you would enjoy it.
Cutting up sweaters like this is actually how they make (traditional Norwegian)cardigans, as they most of the times are knitted on circular needles.
Margaretha
Val and Monix, thank you ladies!
Cheryl, I agree. The sweaters I found look much better as cardigans.
Margaretha, that is really interesting to know (about the Norwegian cardigans). And I'd LOVE to visit you in the summer.xo
I feel the cold, too. (Even here in Florida!) We do get temps around 25-30 degrees sometimes, and it's a very wet cold, being so close to the ocean. So it seeps into everything.
My brother brought me a Norwegian pullover (oversized) a few years ago. I look a little ridiculous in it, but it's VERY warm!!!
Great idea! I have been itching to find a good thrift shop here in town. Now, I have good motivation. I think these would be adorable for my girls:)
oh, this this I need to show my girls too!
What a great idea...Too cute!
love it! I like button-ups SO much better than pullovers!
ha - what a fantastic idea!
brilliant! i love this. i love big old cardigans. so cozy. you and joann are very smart ladies. :)
I am prone to the deep bone-chill, too. This is an excellent idea...although it might be beyond my sewing skills, I'm sad to admit. The end-result looks awesome! Super cute cardigan.
oh my gosh! that. is. brilliant!!!
What a good idea! I just started knitting this year, and I have read about this -- stinking or plinking or something like that, right? But I never thought about applying it to something already made!
I usually wear 2 or 3 sweaters in winter! I'll have to keep my eye out for one to do this to!
Leila, it's called stinking. My daughter-in-law told me about it. She's quite the knitter. I don't think there is anything she can't knit. Thanks for visiting. I'm a frequent lurker at Like Mother Like Daughter :)
I am ***freezing cold*** and love this cardigan!
I have never heard of stinking or plinking... but I've been spelunking a half a dozen times and attempted busking once just for fun.
Do you have a link for more information?
Chelsea, take a look at this - it's a little more involved than what I do, but the same idea--sort of--since I'm using a thrifted sweater, not one I knitted:
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/FEATsteeks.html
Jodi, That sounds terrifying! Cutting something apart that you just finished knitting!!! I'd rather try with a thrift store find. lol!
I wish they showed the finished project... If you ever give that a go you'll have to post it. It seems like a neat way to make arm holes...
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