Sometimes a garment you knitted many years past is no longer useful. Maybe it’s now too big or too small, or a very dated style as in ‘1980s shoulder pads?’. Or, just a little too worn out. For whatever reason, we can be reluctant to let go of something we made and of which we have fond memories.
About 35 years ago I knit an all wool Aran pullover. I wore it many times, but gradually put it on less and less frequently. It was a little too tight, I found pullovers a bit too warm, and, frankly, the sleeve cuffs were badly worn. It sat in a drawer, still loved but unworn, for many years.
Finally, I decided that to get more use out of it, I would have to remake it. Since it was pure wool I could have felted it and cut out warm mittens or slippers or even pot holders. I could have simply taken off the sleeves and turned the body into an Aran cushion cover. These ideas were all very tempting until I realized that, although I don’t wear pullovers much, I do wear vests frequently. So, a vest it would become.
Obviously, you will not be able to follow this project exactly, but I hope it will inspire you to think of ways of recycling older garments into something you’ll wear again.
Read more in our Issue 50.
Download the PDF pattern now.
Designed by Denise Powell
[email protected]
Ravelry: DoctorKnit
