How to Upcycle a T-Shirt into a Cardigan
November 2nd, 2012
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This sweet layering piece might become a new favorite!
Cal Patch
Here's the "before" shirt.
Cal Patch
Fold it in half and determine the length.
Cal Patch
This sweet layering piece might become a new favorite!
Photo: Cal Patch
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I love layering. Since I have lived in space-challenged apartments in New York City for the past 18 years, rotating my wardrobe seasonally just hasn't been an option as there's been nowhere to put the off-season garb. Instead, I pretty much wear the same clothes year-round; I just wear more of them when it gets colder! Hoodies, cardigans, and wraps play a huge part in my cooler months' costume, and I'm always on the lookout for new styles. And because I can't get enough of the revamping of tees, I came up with this girly outfit topper for my weekly project.
You'll need:
- An oversized T-shirt
- Tape measure
- Thread
- Scissors
- Chalk
- Buttons
- Sock-weight yarn
- A small crochet hook
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Here's the "before" shirt.
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1. Trim and reshape the shirt. Measure your bust, bicep, and armhole circumferences, or find a top or cardi that fits you well. Fold the tee in half lengthwise, as shown. Cut off the bottom at the length you wish your cardigan to be (I made mine 22 inches).
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Fold it in half and determine the length.
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Set aside the piece you cut off as it'll become the cuff ruffles. Still folded, measure and mark a snug 1/2 bicep, 1/2 armhole, and 1/4 bust widths and connect with a chalk line to reshape the side and underarm seam. If that's too complicated, just fold your other shirt (the one that fits) the same way, lay it on top of this one, and trace the side and underarm seam. Cut on your line, through all four layers.
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Then reshape the armhole area...
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...and trim off the excess.
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posted in:
yarn, tshirt, cardigan
Comments (35)
Posted: 11:29 am on June 28th
Posted: 2:03 am on December 27th
Posted: 1:16 am on November 3rd
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Posted: 5:06 pm on September 29th
Posted: 2:02 pm on July 16th
drop by my blog, it's full of ways to cut and sew new from old - http://21centurydressmakers.blogspot.com
or you may like my book - Denim Revolution - a scource for high fashion ways to remake jeans, i filled it with goodies, all my favorites.
Posted: 4:31 am on June 4th
Posted: 6:09 pm on May 30th
Have a great day!
Christine
Posted: 12:29 am on May 23rd
Posted: 9:13 am on May 9th
Thanks for sharing
Posted: 5:21 pm on May 6th
Posted: 7:19 am on May 5th
Posted: 7:46 pm on April 17th
Posted: 4:10 pm on April 13th
Very nice
Posted: 12:34 pm on April 12th
Posted: 7:08 pm on April 10th
Posted: 11:13 am on April 9th
I will definitely have to give this a try! I also think making two at a time with two different colors and swapping (each cardi would have different colored sleeves than the rest of the body) would be interesting in a child's version - especially if in primary colors.
Posted: 11:10 am on April 9th
Posted: 5:35 pm on April 7th
Posted: 4:52 pm on April 7th
Posted: 2:54 pm on April 7th
and noa: yes, you could really go all-out and crochet all the edges! i'd love to see yours if you do it...
Posted: 2:46 pm on April 7th
Posted: 1:11 pm on April 7th
Posted: 1:09 pm on April 7th
Adorable !!!
Posted: 1:09 pm on April 7th
Posted: 12:47 pm on April 7th