Make a Childs Cardigan from recycled felted wool sweater!

Have you ever had a great wool sweater that you love only to one day open the dryer to find it wadded there tight and angry and about three sizes smaller then it was before. It's a tragic tale as old as time it's self. I'm sure that Cane probably felted Abel's favorite sweater and said "I didn't know it wasn't washable". It burns me just thinking about all the sweaters that I've lost to the hand of someone elses poor washing skills.

But through the darkness of lost sweaters dawns a great felted cardigan for kids. They are easy to make and it's a great way to recycle sweaters that have met the ill fate of the dryer.

What you will need.

1. One Felted Sweater
2. 1 1/2" wide velvet ribbon
3. Sewing Machine
4. Button

Step 1 Make a cut

Make a cut down the center of the sweater. You can find the center by measuring or by folding the sweater in half and pinning at the center fold. OR you can just eyeball it like I always do.

At this point you can cut the sleeves to the length that work best for your little one. I often slip the sweater on the child (if child is handy) and mark where the sleeves should end.

Comments

[crafthut]

I really like this idea! It seems to me that the ribbon edge wouldmake inserting a zipper a snap! Thanks!

[jbisker]

OK, that is one cute little girl

[porcupinemamma]

Really well written and explained.  I love your sweet model :0) I am going to try this because of your Instructable.  Thank you!  BTW Ever thought of ribbon frogs down thr placket. (The kind you see on traditional Asian P.J's)-not ribettttttt ribettt grover frogs ;0) http://www.elitedresses.com/Frog_Knots_Definition_s/44.htm

[threadbare]

That would be perfect. Thanks for the link too.

[porcupinemamma]

I'm off to the Thrift Store to find me one honk'n grooooooooovy el cheapo sweater :0)

[DaggerMouth]

mom i voted for both of your instructables so I think you should make me some cookies or something

[Barterfly]

SWEET! I now know what to do with all my boyfriend's sweaters that end up in the washing machine. Make them into sweaters for me! This is an amazing idea, thank you for sharing.

[Sox]

Ooooh! I like it! One more thing on my 'to do' list.

[OnePrettyThing]

That is SO cute! I love cardigans. I'm going to try and hunt down some men's sweaters and do this for myself. Thanks so much for the great idea, I'll be linking to this.

[threadbare]

What a great idea, send photos when you get it done!

[chemantics]

SWEEET! So, cute. And, who is that adorable kid model?

[ChrysN]

Great idea, I've ruined a few sweaters that way myself.

[DaggerMouth]

Nice Instructable mom.