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

Add Comment
Print

Turn the sleeves into mitts
Don't toss the sleeves you cut off; they're perfect for a pair of toasty fingerless mitts.

1. Cut out the sleeve seam. First, try on the sleeve, and mark the length you want for your mitts. Shorten the sleeve there. Then, cut out the sleeve seam to open the side of the mitt as far as the
top of the cuff.

Cut out the sleeve seam.

2. Open the thumb hole. Determine where you want the thumb hole, and cut open the cuff seam until the hole is large enough for your thumb. Hand-sew a few stitches at each end of the opening to prevent raveling.

Open the thumb hole.

3. Fit the mitt. Turn the sleeve inside-out, and put it on, inserting your thumb through the thumb hole. Pin the sleeve seam to fit your arm. Machine-sew the new seam, and trim away the excess fabric.

Fit the mitt.

4. Blanket-stitch the edges. Hand-sew around the top edge of each mitt with contrast yarn, as described above.

Blanket-stitch the edges.

Finished vest and mitt!

Add Comment Print

How to Make an Infinity Scarf  

Back to List

How to Make Snuggly Slippers from Old Sweaters

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

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.