Upcycle Old Sweaters

The sleeves from two felted sweaters become arm warmers. That extra layer for the winter chill. One sweater was a ladies black cashmere, the other a boy's long sleeve gray stripe wool sweater.

Start now, collect wool sweaters from Goodwill Industries, yard sales, (your own closet) or the hubby's closet (with permission).

I'm about to give you step by step instructions on making a pair of arm-warmers. This is a sample in the picture. Made from 2 "Goodwill" purchased sweaters.

The pair in the picture is actually two different sweaters. The gray stripe was a boy's sweater, I cut the upper part of the sleeve, after felting both sweaters, then I cut the cuffs from a black cashmere ladies sweater. The two together make 3 combinations. Wear black cuffs alone, gray stripe cuffs alone (like a bracelet), or both for double warmth.

Get out there to garage or yard sales, flea markets ...

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I recently felted an old army sweater (100% wool) and have big plans for more creative items.

I couldn't have described the process any better, this is actually a 2 minute challenge. Check it out.

She loves wearing a sweater on chilly days, cashmere even.

I added some twine and/or yarn to keep the pairs together on display at my art fair. The red ones are from the sleeves of the red sweater. I found really simple clear plastic buttons to sew on top of the needle felted circles. The black sleeves I added a blanket stitch in red yarn for the thumb hole, so stinkin' cute sold right away.

The off-white sleeves from an alpaca sweater, cuffs rolled up and the "cut" end embellished with brown yarn, blanket stitch can be worn with the cuff at the fingers, or at the mid-arm, and can be unfolded for even longer arm warmers.

CHECK FOR 100% Wool on the Tag

Yes 80% or even 50% wool will work, but 100% wool works best. Stay away from White Wool, because it just hates to "FELT"

The "Felt" process includes shocking the wool fibers. Because wool pills (balls up) you have to protect your washer, so:

#1 Put the garment into a pillowcase or garment bag, and tie it shut. Rubber banding it doesn't work, (the hot water stretches the band). I tie the top of the pillow case in a tight knot.

Now, set the washer to hot, add some old jeans, set the washer to the smallest load that covers the items with water. Add enough soap to wash a small load and start the machine.

After the full wash cycle, open your pillow case to reveal a shrunken wool garment with TONS of possibilities. GO EMBELLISH!! Well let it dry first.

Any Old Sweater works:

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Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencerwearing Thick Wool Sweaters Cords at Balmoral May 1981

16 in. x 16 in.

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Choose a variety. Some "Goodwill" stores have fill a bag days, or 50% off days, and spring is a good time to find sweaters. Good luck.

Design your own starting with the same basic shape. Then add a few shapes. Or design your own on graph paper. Basically leave enough room around the average wrist 7" to make a seam by sewing by hand or on a machine.

About these two patterns. Starting with the basic shape, draw a design, it's simpler to make lines go from one side of the shape to the adjacent shape, or across the shape. Number each piece before cutting, now on white paper, trace the pattern with a magic marker so it goes through to the other side, and number the pieces on the back of the page for the other hand.

The first pattern should have r1, r2, r3, etc. for Right hand, and the second (on the back side of the paper) l1, l2, l3, etc. for left hand. when you cut your pieces, the shapes will lay on various fabric pieces for cutting. Experiment with matching the cable patterns in the sweater so that your two arm warmers match in the end. Or mix it up.

After the rinse and spin, start removing tags and buttons, and save buttons for embellishment (save the tags too, actually, you can sew it inside one of the gloves for that "Upcycled" identity.

This pair of arm warmers ended up selling to a young lady who wanted them for leg warmers. Some people have legs as thin as arms! They were taken from an alpaca sweater. First I felted the sweater by placing it in a pillow case tied shut and washed it with mild soap for about 30 minutes in very hot water. Shocking it by rinsing with cold water. The fibers meshed into a very dense fabric that will not fray. then I cut the sleeves off and trimmed the edges with a contrasting tweed bulky knit wool blend yarn.

This is pretty interesting. Hm-m-m collecting corregated cardboard.

I see arm warmers (from the sleeves.)

I see a neck gator.

I see a reusable zipper.

I see pockets for a future purse.

I see cup "cozies."

I see baby leg warmers.

I see the base for a hat made from the hood (embellish with ribbon).

I see parts and pieces for patchwork armwarmers.

Boo weighs 5 lbs. She is 5 months old. And she is very cold on these chilly mornings. I felted a small women's wool sweater, then cut the sleeve out at the shoulder. Holding the sleeve up to her body I determined where to cut little holes for her front legs. TOO CUTE!! She loves it, puts her head right in and lets me place her front legs through the holes, She backs up to me and leans on my leg when she's ready for me to take it off.

Read the step by step instructions by clicking on the PHOTO!

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