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RECYCLED SWEATER SCARF – LOOKING AHEAD 350+ DAYS

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mitten-garland.jpg

Here are some ideas for recycling sweaters you might find at the thrift store. Sweaters need to be:

wool or wool blend (with at least 35% wool but better if more than 50% wool)

attractive

inexpensive.

If you don’t spend too much on an old sweater, you don’t mind experimenting. If you happen to own a sweater that has some moth holes or other damage or that you’ve already felted (fulled) by accident, you can certainly give it new life with one of these ideas.

The idea pictured above is a cute way to recycle a variety of old sweaters. You can create a very long garland for yourself or a gift or make a number of smaller lengths that would look cute used as a swag above a door or fireplace. Using clothespins, you could also intermingle Christmas cards with the mittens for a festive look. Also, consider simple shapes other than the mitten – bells, stars, snowmen. You can get these free online or from a child’s coloring book. How about this free candy cane to use as a template:

 

 

Below is a picture of the scarves that were the inspiration for the cute mitten scarf my friend DJ made for our Crochet Club Gift Exchange. She made a simple mitten motif from cardboard and sketched around it on the wrong side of a felted thrift store sweater. She then cut out the ‘mittens’ and sewed them together like they are pictured below. Instant gratification! My kind of crochet recycling.

I think they would also look great with simple crochet around the edge or even just a blanket stitch. The simpler the better, I suppose. DJ is my thrift store buddy and someone I can always count on to come up with a good use for most cast offs. We enjoy our annual tour of the thrift stores of Jefferson City, Missouri when we attend the Fiber Festival there every Spring. 

See the Pattern here on Etsy.
mitten-scarf.jpg

BTW, these ideas are not limited to Christmas. What about cutting out some simple pennant shapes in red, white, and blue sweaters for a cute July 4 swag? How about Ladybug or flower motifs to embellish a purchased sweatshirt? All kinds of shapes could be stitched to a felted handbag or tote. You can even cut out block letters to personalize all sorts of things. So, rummage through your closets or get yourself to Goodwill for some good, cheap, crochet fun!

Comments

  2. I am desperately trying to find free patterns for hats, handbags, etc. to use on recycled sweaters that i have felted. Everytime I reach a site that I think might have some it turns out to be khitting patterns. Can you help me?

  3. hi jessie,
    not quite sure what pattern’s you’re referring to. if you’ve already felted the sweaters, do you want to cut them up and create hats and handbags? if so, you can follow a sewing pattern for sizing. you can join pieces by crocheting or sewing – but if the fabric is felted, it’s difficult to crochet thru the felt without first adding a row of blanket stitch around the felted pieces. see one of my earlier blogs for instructions on how to do that.

    i’ll do some searching and see if i can find anything online to help you. but, more specifics about what you want to accomplish would be helpful.
    jd

Have you read?

The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book: That Rooster Had Me Hooked

Apparently, this is the year chickens took over my crafting attention. First came the emotional support chickens, then the pocket chickens, and now a rooster has managed to talk me into looking at another crochet book.

Honestly, put a crocheted chicken in front of me at this point and I’m going to stop scrolling.

That is exactly what happened with The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book. The rooster sucked me in before I had even properly investigated what else was inside. After all the emotional support chicken crochet patterns we’ve been sharing, you would think I’d have had enough poultry. Apparently, there is still room in the imaginary yarn coop.

Now, a little honesty before we go any further: I haven’t read this book yet or tried its patterns. This is a look at why it has caught my attention ahead of publication. I have a very good feeling about this one, and I’m expecting it to be a lovely addition to the crochet bookshelf.

What’s Inside The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book?

The publisher describes a collection of 25 crochet patterns with variations for more than 45 amigurumi projects, created by ConcernedApe, Megan Lapp and Ryan Novak.

The announced projects include Junimos, Slimes, chickens, a Junimo Hut and familiar game items. There are simpler projects such as Eggs alongside more challenging makes, including the Mermaid Pendant.

The chicken variations are particularly tempting, with different beaks, combs and tail feathers, plus White, Blue, Brown, Golden and Void varieties. You can probably see why my attention keeps wandering back to the coop.

It is scheduled for release on 26 January 2027 through Random House Worlds, with 240 pages in the hardcover edition.

Why This Crochet Book Is on My Radar

What appeals to me is the combination of recognisable characters and slightly ridiculous little objects. Those are often the crochet projects that make me smile most. A useful blanket is wonderful, but sometimes you simply want a tiny yarn creature keeping you company beside the sewing machine.

If you’ve enjoyed our emotional support pocket chicken crochet feature, you’ll understand the attraction. Small, characterful projects have a way of becoming much more tempting than the sensible project already waiting in your basket.

For Stardew Valley fans, there is also the pleasure of making something connected to a favourite game. We’ve previously shared a Junimo crochet pattern, so this feels like a lovely next book to explore for readers who enjoy that crossover between gaming and yarn.

Would I Add It to My Crochet Wishlist?

Absolutely. I can’t yet comment on the clarity of the instructions, the finishing details or how the patterns work up. Those are things I would want to assess with the book and a hook in hand.

But based on the announced collection, I know this is going to be a good one for my kind of crochet browsing: plenty of personality, playful projects and chickens I’m already mentally choosing yarn for.

You can take a closer look at The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book on Amazon.

I came for the rooster. I suspect I’ll stay for the rest of the farm.