Not sure what to do with an old sweater? Discover the many ways you can recycle it creatively
Who doesn't have at least some sweaters in their wardrobe, to wear to ward off inclement weather, or even just for coldest winter evenings during the year? Sweaters are those comfortable garments that envelop us like a warm hug, and that we end up using to stay comfortable and warm both outside and inside the house.
However, it happens that by frequently wearing them, they end up getting damaged or worn out, or maybe we are forced to remove them from the wardrobe due to a washing accident or the arrival of moths that can destroy them. In these cases, we can no longer wear them but they are not completely lost - we can recycle them using some creative DIY projects, transforming them into something else, as in the ideas shown below:
Open up the turtleneck collar and sleeves, use the front and back of the sweater, and you will get four or five squares or rectangles from each garment to sew together and gradually, you will be able to create a handmade patchwork blanket.
Online you can also find several tutorials on how to transform wool sweaters and cardigans into tailored skirts, perfect for facing the winter with a comfortable and warm garment.
More do-it-yourself fashion projects: from a sweater you can also get various accessories such as shawl or scarves, hair bands or those that you put inside the tops of the boots (a type of leg-warmer)!
There are also projects you can undertake to transform your favorite, old sweater into a soft shopping bag: the example shown is the most common model, and basically is the easiest to make. We then go wild in choosing the most suitable handles to customize the bag in whatever way we wish.
Another element that helps us to change the projects in a way we want is to add an inner lining: we can not, in fact, leave the material of the sweater to come in direct contact with any object that will end up in the bag, as they could ruin it in an instant.
When there are only scraps of the sweater left over, they can be used to create embossed decorations to apply to other garments, or to use for any type of similar project. They can be wool flowers but also butterflies, leaves and much more.
Another popular project is the one that involves using old sweaters to make pillowcases for pillows which are put on sofas, armchairs or beds. And they work even if they still have their buttons!
By managing to get many different scraps of sweater fabric, you could create embossed decorations that will be perfect for decorating unique cushions - as if they were giant flower corollas!
And how about making soft and colorful footstools from old sweaters?
Again, you can look for ideas to make gloves (usually mittens, or gloves with no fingers), caps, candle holders or "jackets" for wine bottles. And then there are also projects for our four-legged friends, such as DIY kennel covers and even clothes for dogs and cats.
Have you ever recycled a sweater in any of these creative ways?
