upcycling an old cardigan

[taytotayto]

i have a beautiful hot pink wool cardigan that is so well worn now that it needs the bin, but before i do has anyone any ideas of how i could upcycle it. i have two small baby girls s was thinking of something for them.

Trying to think where I saw it but a few days ago I saw a patchwork blanket made out of squares from old jumpers and cardigans. Obviously one cardigan isn't enough but you could get a couple more from a second hand shop and cut them up too, and make a nice playmat/rug/extra blanket for your girls.

I will see if I can find the link.

That wasn't as hard as I thought - link to the tutorial here

You could just make a cushion for their room if a whole blanket seemed a bit ambitious or you didn't want to go and buy more old jumpers.

Some wooly trousers from the arms with a wee jerkin for on top? You could felt it first if you wanted by washing on a hot wash.

I've just made a hot-water bottle cover out of an old woollen jumper - I felted it in a hot machine wash (maximum temp, and with a towel to give it a bit of friction), then cut it up and sewed it to a pattern traced round the bottle. I used the welt of the sweater to make an overlapping flap so you can get the bottle in and out, iyswim.

I'm ridiculously pleased with it .

It does have to be 100% wool, though, otherwise I don't think it felts properly.

Now I have the urge to boil-wash all the woollen garments I can lay my hands on....

PS should add that I'm not suggesting a hot-water bottle necessarily, just the technique! It's much easier to sew when felted because it doesn't unravel. So you could cut shapes for blankets etc.

how about a little gilet type thing for them? Edged with bias binding with tie loops also from the binding to fasten?

Or a softie toy- something v. simple like a cat with wool sewn eyes and whsikers?
www.flickr.com/photos/art_spirit/sets/72157604701555871/

thank you all so much. im going to felt first then make a blanket if i can find enough woolens lying around. x

if you are going to felt the woollies then it will end up too stiff for a drapey cuddley blanket- will be more suitable for a floor blanket/rug type thing

you need my book

A scarf, hot water bottle cover, little booties and mittens.... there is better use for clothes than just dumping them for recycling.