Transform a Wool Sweater into a Felted Vest

Tina Hilton, contributor

23 users recommend

Give an old sweater in your life a second chance with a little makeover.

Sloan Howard

Simply cut off the collar and sleeves of a felted sweater.

Tina Hilton

You can even reuse the sleeves.

Tina Hilton

Give an old sweater in your life a second chance with a little makeover.

Photo: Sloan Howard

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Pin in the side seams to reduce bulk.

Add a decorative stitch
Chunky yarn and a simple blanket stitch make a trim that's in perfect proportion to this lofty sweater. Choose a contrasting yarn for a splash of color, and apply it to the neckline and armhole raw edges.

1. Start the stitch. Thread a tapestry needle with yarn. Bring the needle up from the wrong side of the sweater about 3⁄4 inch from the raw edge. Pull the yarn through, leaving a 3-inch tail on the wrong side.

Start the stitch.

2. Complete the stitch. Working from left to right, carry the yarn over the raw edge of the sweater, and bring the needle up from the wrong side, 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch to the right of where you started the stitch. Keep the needle over the loop of yarn, as shown. Pull to tighten. Repeat. When you return to your starting point, knot the yarn ends together on the wrong side, and trim.

Complete the stitch.

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Comments (5)

TinaHilton writes: Hi from another Tina Hilton! You could be my clone, except for the fact that we look so different. I'm a craftsperson too, mostly weaving and spinning. Have you ever made a felted tote bag from a wool sweater? That's fun too.
Posted: 8:29 pm on December 14th

Tina_Hilton writes: One of the best parts of this process is scouring the local thrift shops for diamonds in the rough. I have a stack of reclaimed sweaters ready to be converted to hats, bags, pillows, vests, cat beds, hot pads, mittens, scarves - somebody stop me!!!!
Posted: 5:38 pm on October 7th

Sweet_Dee writes: Very cool! Love the fact that you reused rather than buy or trash. And I, too, love the red blanket stitch. the colour combos are awesome!
Posted: 3:08 pm on September 26th

VeryPrairie writes: I especially love the red blanket stitched edges, very cool project!
Posted: 6:14 pm on September 24th

theemptynest writes: LOVE IT!!!!! I have the same felting fetish. Great job.
your friend,
Janet
The Empty Nest
Posted: 5:21 pm on September 23rd

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