It used to be a sweater/socks/hat but...(recycled

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Swap Coordinator:	user8542 (contact)
Swap categories:	Clothing Knitting Crocheting
Number of people in swap:	8
Location:	Other
Type:	None
Last day to signup/drop:	July 15, 2007
Date items must be sent by:	August 20, 2007
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
This swap is for all of the crafty people out there who like to recycle yarn. I have recently had a lot of fun going to thrift stores/garage sales/clearance sales and finding wondeful wool and cotton yarns by finding sweaters that just...well, to be kind...they're much nicer as balls of yarn! I was wondering what other people who do this' final products look like, so I thought this would be fun--with several of them, I've thought--it would be fun to trade, but I'd want my partner to be expecting recycled yarn! Even if you've never dismantled a sweater before, don't be afraid...post any questions, and I (or hopefully others) will help. The important thing to look for, is that it seems to be knit of yarn, rather than panels of fabric--zigzag stiching on the seams is usually a bad sign (though not always), seams sewn with matching yarn 'pieced' together is usually a good sign. Please only do this if you're willing to scout for nice yarn, and take the time to take it apart, it is no fun if someone spends 6 hours taking a sweater apart to send and then only receives the yarn from an acrylic sock! Let's say that, unless the person posts that they don't mind, that we want natural fibers or blends of such, with at least a vest's worth of yarn. You may 'recycle' yarn that has been given to you as a present from a knitter or crocheter, or from a project that you made that you know you'll never wear or use, or you may buy sweaters from somewhere else and dismantle them. Please, if you do not know the origin of the piece, or if it needs it, gently wash the yarn before sending it (this is also the best way to remove the 'kink' from it). Also, please include the wash/care tags, and/or the description of what it is made of. Don't flake, have fun, don't even bother if you have a rating below 4.5. I reserve the right to ban. if you're a newbie, you must have a full profile and message me.

Discussion

ElectricDaisy 06/27/2007 #

I didn't even know you could do that! Like I needed yet another reason to go thrift storing... :D

starofsong 06/27/2007 #

This is interesting, but sounds like too much work for me at the moment. I have in the past cut squares out of sweaters of various knits and crochet yarns and assembled them by Machine sewing and then embellishing with embroidery floss on the seams, and made me a very nice and warm afghan/bed throw.
I keep it on my bed all year round..

Star of Song, Henderson TN

user8542 06/27/2007 #

I have to admit...the reason for the swap is that a local store did a 2 new sweaters for $1.00 sale...it seemed to good to be true, but the owner said that they bought them from the bank when a local merchant's goods were repossessed from the bank...the store doing the sale is a local gas station (I'm from a rural area) and we (s.o. and I) were on our way home from a doctor's appt for me in another state--he'd had less than two hours of sleep, and I wanted to go through 200 sweaters for "the best ones"....makes me laugh now...long story short, I have a lot of 'new-old-fiber' to choose from!

arentyouthatgirl 06/28/2007 #

I LOVE doing this! Spending $20+ for a skein of angora is rather cost prohibitive, but buying a $1 angora sweater is wonderful! That way, if my project doesn't turn out quite the way I wanted, I'm not out a lot of money. The inraveling is usually done while watching 'mindless television'.

Its another addiction I'm afraid!

bren 06/28/2007 #

How much yarn should be sent? All the same or can we send different balls? I can't join any new swaps that need time to buy or create, but this one is perfect because I already have several sweaters dismantled, angora, mohair, rayon and even a linen-wool yarn.

One note to mention. Be careful unraveling finer yarn garments. The fibers in the yarn tend to be short and can break easily.

poofsizzle 06/28/2007 #

if you've never taken a sweater apart here is a great tutorial on what to look for and how to do it. http://www.neauveau.com/recycledyarn.html

poofsizzle 06/28/2007 #

also... for those who what a bit of trivia - the process of unraveling a sweater is commonly called "frogging."

shecooks 06/28/2007 #

I read somewhere that the best way to frog things like mohair is to put them in the freezer. Ok, I want to join this swap, is chenille ok? Otherwise, I will have to find another sweater to frog....

user8542 06/28/2007 #

I think that chenille would be just fine...poofsizzle, what a wonderful link!! Thank you so much...I've never frogged mohair, but I could see where the freezer might help stabilize the finer fibers, maybe? anyone out there know why? I for one, would have no problem with different balls--I think the fun in this one is just the knowing that you are creating from something already in existence, rather than buying more...I'd like to say for total quantity of yarn to be at least one vest's worth....anyone with more knitting experience want to give a guesstimate on yardage?

user8542 06/28/2007 #

I'm so excited that we already have 7 people!

user8542 07/12/2007 #

I just took the sweater apart that I want to send...it was a man's XL, and the yarn just kept coming and coming...I ended up with 8 huge balls of yarn! Isn't this fun? How's it going for everyone? I took apart another one, a beautiful purple angora/wool, thinking it would be perfect, and all it made were 'yarnlets' of about 15 inches long....but there were a lot of them! lol

user8542 07/12/2007 #

Long story short...how is everything?

Craftlover10101 07/12/2007 #

WOW what a fabulous idea! And what a swap! I would love to join this but will have to wait for the next one unfortunately. I just found it and I don't have time or the health to go hunting but wow I can't wait too now. I will as soon as my health is better. So if you have a list of people that are going to be around for the next swap like this can you please add me to it? Thanks

joyacat 07/14/2007 #

i love this. i bought 2 sweaters a few months ago for 50 cents each. one is a fine cashmere the other a silk blend. i know it would have taken me forever to get around to unraveling them, but now i have a reason to move it along.

chickenlil7000 07/14/2007 #

I am so in ! I was just going through S.O.'s closet and pulled out two gorgeous irish wools that he has "outgrown". Love this idea!!!!

poofsizzle 07/18/2007 #

Sigh - so I went to a salvation army in sear ch of sweaters, and it turns out they don't put out sweaters in July. I'll try another place today. And if worst comes to worst, I've got a sweater I frogged a while ago that I could always send... I was just excited about doing another...

bren 07/19/2007 #

poofsizzle- I have found several knitted tank tops in ramie/cotton, linen/wool, and rayon; sadly, none in silk. Handbags sometimes have good yarn and don't forget children's clothes!

poofsizzle 07/24/2007 #

Thanks for the heads up re: knitted tank tops - I have to admit that the idea didn't occur to me, and yet I found several with quite lovely yarn. So I've now frogged it, and wrapped it around a chair back last night (dampened) Hopefully when I take it off it tonight it should be somewhat un-crimped and ready to send.

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