I’ve had this jumper for years, and being a bit tatty, but very warm, was my working jumper. Until they day I accidentally washed it on a hot wash, and then it was far too small, and very thick. Bum. I shrunk it even further, and recycled it, into a cushion.
On one side the big flower design, and on the other, I used what had been the back of the jumper, which had a small flower design at the top. In order to make a cushion of a worthwhile size, I had to have the smaller flower off centre, so I added a little stitchery, and joined both sides with blanket stitch in the same colour.
We really like it, as although it has felted, it has stayed soft and snugly, and I can see my jumper will be with me for many more years yet.
Now I just need to think of something to make out of the sleeves.
The cushion is wonderful – did you knit it in the first place?
no, I’m afraid it was bought. But I enjoyed working with that felt so much that I am thinking of knitting some to felt on purpose (afterall we have the wool). Also I had a look in the charity shop for wool jumpers.. makes you look at things in a new light!
That’s a great idea. Have you thought about making mini draught excluders from the sleeves?! Or plastic bag holders? My mother uses an old hiking sock to hold the blighters.
That’s so cool! I love it!
No idea what you could do with the sleeves, though… I expect they’re too small for draught excluders??!
thanks guys. yes – too small for draught excluders – but thats a good idea i might make that next time I ruin a jumper! bag holder would work too – only we dont have that many bags anymore. I was going to make an oven glove, but himself has started to wimper about cold feet… so we shall see.
After careful consideration I conclude that slippers for ME is the way to go !
Sad to lose working jumper – but love the cushion!
thanks Paula
Hi
I’m a serial boiler of jumpers, my problem is finding a regular supply! Many of the jumpers I find in charity shops now are “washable wool” which just doesn’t felt up.
You can make slippers out of the sleeves very easily. It’s a bit hard to explain but put your foot in the hole you cut at the top end of the sleeve and pull it up to the desired height at the back of ankle. Cut the bottom off curving around your toes (make sure to leave room for the seam!) and then cut around the front to the desired shape, if that makes sense. I sew round the cut edges in a blanket stitch in a contrasting colour and use the same stitch and wool to sew up the toe end. I use oddments from other jumpers to cut out hearts/flowers etc and secure them on with a single button. If you are going to make several pairs of slippers it’s worth investing in some liquid latex (model making shops sell it) to paint on the bottom to stop them wearing out.
Other things to do with the sleeves:
Wrist warmers with the cuffs (very popular with my daughters)
small bags. You need to cut a flap and sew across the bottom. I usually knit an Icord and felt that for the shoulder strap.
Fine wool makes lovely lavender bags (I sew a small bag of muslin to put the lavender in, otherwise it tends to creep out!)
Broaches and hair bobble flowers/hearts etc.
Once you’ve started you won’t be able to stop and your button and yarn collection will become seriously depleted as you jazz up your creations!
Have fun. I found your blog whilst looking for inspration for a skirt I boiled by accident!
gillie
excellent! – tell us what you make with the skirt in the end.
i dont know how I manged to shrink the jumper.. never wash anything above 40 and mostly use 30. perhaps the fact it was dry clean only might have one it..but i got away with the handwash setting many times already.. oh well.. one jumper down, one cushion up.. plus whatever I do make with the sleeves…
I don’t wash anything over 30… but every now and then something creeps in which really should have been washed by hand ….
…. I used to get upset and angry. Now I just look at the shrunken (or possibly not shrunken enough) item and shove it in a quick 90 degree wash and then it’s no holds barred. The skirt is drying as I type but being long and straight (ie no funny arms or necks) has too much potential and is causing much angst!
ahh.. the possibilities!