Can you chop and hem cashmere?

[ProjectGainsborough]

I have a knee length cashmere dress which is just too classic for me, however, the top half would make an excellent jumper!

Can it be done? Could I do it myself?

...or have I lost my mind?

I would have thought there's a risk of it unravelling completely - but maybe not if well-enough hemmed? Maybe find a knitting thread and ask there if you don't get your answer here?

I love knee length cashmere dresses - you could always just give it to me

Nooo- it will unravel I think.

No, no you can't cut knitwear. But if you know or can find an experienced knitter, they unravel the wool to the length you want and re-knit the bottom for you. It has to be finished off.

Alternatively sell it on ebay and buy a jumper.

Do you know a knitter who wants a project? They could chop it, pick up the stitches and maybe knit a new hem on in a contrasting colour... would be a faff though I reckon.

Um I've chopped off knitwear several times! It's always worked out so far. I just roll the hem over a couple of times to hide where I've cut it so there's no sewing involved. Yup, I'm a lazy slob but I've never had any unravel on me yet.

Admittedly, I've only ever done it with stuff I was prepared to take a risk with and I've never tried it with cashmere. I think you have to accept that it might go wrong.

I used to be a knitwear designer.

Yes, you can cut and sew, but be very careful. If you sew it use a stretch stitch and go carefully. Overlock the raw edge when you cut it as soon as possible.

As an experienced knitter & dressmaker I'd say yes it can be done, as has been said.
The sewing way. Cut off a bit longer than you want the jumper. Carefully turn up the bottom, twice to hide the raw edge, & sew in place with very small stitches ensuring that you catch in each stitch of knitting on the lower hem to prevent laddering up the knitting.
The knitting way. Cut off. Unravel a ball of wool from the cut off piece. Using needles to give a tension to match the garment, pick up each stitch along the bottom & finish off by either knitting a ribbed edge or a more decorative hem.

I tried that when I was a teen - cutting jumpers and overlocking the edge and it a) looked pants done by me and b) unravelled.

It's not one to try at home unless you're a knitwear designer...

You could try sewing two rows of zigzag stitching. Leave a gap between them. Cut between the rows of stitching. Then roll and hem.
It takes guts but it works.

Ditto a row or 2 of zigzag before you cut.

Thanks all for the advice. I might ask my mum to do it!