Luxury Leggings for Little Ones! A Two-seam Sweater Repurposing Project

This is a very simple, very rewarding project that allows you to turn old adult-sized sweaters into new child-sized leggings!  I’m often aghast at the ads for cashmere baby clothes--I can’t imagine spending $50 on something that is going to be pooped on, puked on, and outgrown in a matter of days!  However, repurposing someone’s cast away cashmere sweater into silky-soft leggings for my darlings is my kind of couture!  These leggings have so many possibilities--pajama bottoms, an ideal base layer for outdoor activities, or super cute playwear.  Have fun!

Step 1: Acquire a sweater.

I like to hunt at Goodwill, but you may have just the thing stashed in your closet.  The ideal sweater will be a fine gauge (ie small stitches of lightweight yarn) wool (preferably 100% merino, 100% cashmere, or 100% alpaca) with sleeves that are joined to the body of the sweater in a diagonal line from the armpit to the neckband.  Also, the sleeves of the sweater should ideally be the length of your child’s leg, with their crotch meeting the armpit of the sweater.  I used a woman's small, and the sleeves were *just* long enough for my 4-year-old’s legs.  If it feels scratchy to the inside of your wrist, it will probably not be comfortable on your child--find something softer.
May I rhapsodize about the virtues of wool for a moment?  It is a remarkable fiber--able to keep you warm even when it is wet, it does not burn, it is extremely hard-wearing, it repels dirt, and it (paradoxically) keeps you cool.  I know many people think it itches--it certainly can!--but there are some unbelievably soft wool fibers out there.  The one everyone has heard of is cashmere, but merino and alpaca are close seconds.  There is often at least one cashmere sweater in the racks at Goodwill when I visit, and I can always find merino or merino/cashmere blends.  I live in a smaller city, so take heart and go hunting!

Comments

[Blynn]

Loved it! What an amazing artist. Cute nieces too.   Kristin Holes

[Cynthiasinger]

 Great idea and understandable instructions. Fun for the kids too.

[akthomas]

Super idea! Way to go!!

[paulmmeans]

Awesome! Definitely winners!

[Blynn]

I got creative and tried it with a long sleeve knit shirt .... not bad ...

[patrish09]

What a creative idea ~~ and the finished product is both adorable AND functional!

[Sumeans]

 What a great project!  I want to go right up to my "extra" closet to find all those had to have cashmere sweaters and re-purpose them for the grand-daughters! 

[Blynn]

Always like to find ways to re-purpose clothing.  This is a great idea to use older sweaters but it also extends the kids wardrobe.   Add leggings to a tee shirt, a short skirt, a dress, a jacket and you have a whole new outfit.

[taggert_alsop]

This is great.  Good idea and really easy to follow. Nice instructable!