turning thrifted sweaters into recycled yarn ! ! !

This was and has been a really fun project. It's a little more sustainable than buying new yarn (regardless of the new yarn's fiber) and actually saves a lot of money. This method costs about a third of the price you would pay for even some of the cheapest of yarns bought new in stores, and you get to make something new out of something that would probably otherwise be thrown away and not degrade naturally in our lifetime.
If you've tried this method, please leave a comment or subscribe! What kinds of knitting content would you like to see in the future? Let me know below.
Instagram: @knit.inthegray
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Music: Hanging Out by Bruno E.

[@TinaSpencer-mr1cp]

Something I learned from another yarn recycling enthusiast: some seams can be undone with one pull. Check each end of the seam, maybe cut a thread or two, then pull on the seam thread to see if it comes away with a little pull. Most of these types of seams look like a crocheted chain on one side, which may help you spot it.

[@NeneLyonz]

I really love this idea of repurposing sweaters into. yarn, I see so many sales in winter and I think many go to waste. Quality yarn is so hard to find in stores so this is a great alternative for me.

[@rachellee.9389]

Brava to you for thrifting! I used to shop at Goodwill, too, until a couple of years ago when I discovered the Big Cheeses at GW make somewhere between $200 thousand and 1 million dollars per year (depending on what internet search you do). I also found out that employees with disabilities are often paid less than minimum wage (as low as 22 cents per hour), whistleblowers have been fired, and safety issues have led to tragedy. Now my fave thrift store is The Humane Society Thrift Store, also the fave of all our town which voted it the Best Thrift Store - even against GW! We also have thrift stores for hospice, Teen Challenge, and other local charities. I try to be even more ethical about where my little money goes.

[@nibu3812]

If the frogged yarn is really curly so that you don't really like knitting with it, you can wrap it around a swift or some other large object to tie hanks. Then you can soak the hanks in cold water for 15 minutes or so, press out the excess water and hang them to dry. The yarn has straightened for the most part and is ready for winding :)

[@aprilmichel7816]

I have learned that curly yarn will often "straighten up" after being winded into a cake and left for some time. I wind my cakes by hand so that might make a difference in tightness.

[@knitinthegray5907]

Ooh, I hadn't heard of that before but love the idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@knitinthegray5907]

@@aprilmichel7816 For sure, I feel like using the yarn winders can be hit or miss with how tight the cakes end up being.

[@knittysong]

You can also wind the yarn onto a swift (or the back of a chair) and use a hand held steamer to unkink it.

[@TinaSpencer-mr1cp]

You would be amazed at the amount of “dust” that floats about as you unravel. I recommend wearing a mask to keep from breathing in what is likely dirt, fiber particles and possibly dead skin flakes and/or wash the sweaters before unraveling. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who do not launder items before donating and the sweaters have been stored and handled by countless numbers of people. I’ve also read some thrift stores spray donations with a type of disinfectant, and you definitely don’t want to breathe in residue from that. Just my two cents after having recycled a number of sweaters.

[@knittysong]

I get an allergic reaction to the dust so I usually wash the sweater on delicate first, air dry it and then it's cleaner and smells better too!

[@craftycrafter1960]

This is a great way to be able to use high end yarns for not much cost

[@rainymornings]

So nice 🥰 I like to salvage as many items as possible that I already own to prevent more waste. Now if I don't manage to resell an unwanted knit garment I can save it from the clothes bin! Thank you for this video 👌

[@knitinthegray5907]

Totally agree! Glad you liked it :)

[@shaynedemonface7013]

Buy a seam ripper, it will make taking the stitches out so much easier.

[@knitinthegray5907]

Yes! I have since acquired a seam ripper and it does make all the difference.

[@vanelaozao]

Super cool ideia! I would personaly rather to wind the unraveled yarn onto a knitty knotty to make it less curly, but a cake, like you did, must work well too.
The filming is also very well made, congrats for the video 😊

[@3smallfaces338]

Great idea! I may try this sometime

[@aaliazee]

Show us some more reclaimed yarn videos! I am inspired .

[@kaleighmarchand2047]

Awesome thanks 😊

[@ChaudryIshtiaqAhmed]

Hi do you think its possible to unravel a cardigan

[@katherinekoeppen4082]

yes you definitely can same process

[@s921-y8d]

Hi nice work.İ apricate your work😍

[@lindamorgan2678]

No digital music please ..WHY ?