How do you unravel a jumper?

[mrsflibble]

i got a fab book with a wonderful crochet pattern in it which iw ant to try.
i can't afford to buy nearly 2kg of wool to make it with though... it sort of negates making your own stuff for cheapness if you've having to spend lots of cash on the yarn...

i was given the tip of why not unravel a jumper you like and have found in a chairty shop. yeah, i like the idea but how do i go about unravelling a jumper and getting to keep the majority of the wool intact?

thanks!

[MuddyWitch]

Mrs F

Try to find a hand knitted jumper as machine knits are a nightmare, they use all kinds of lockstiches!

First, carefully undo all the seems. You might find that collars are knitted after some were sewn up so be extra carefull there. Then look closely & work out which way up it was knitted; usually sleeves start at the cuff & end at the top, so you start at the top & undo the top row. I hold the bit I'm pulling down between my knees if no-one is available to help.

The wool will be all crinckly, so you might like to de-kink it (I don't bother most of the time). Get hold of a metal coat hanger & reshape it into a rough square. Wrap the wool around it but not too thickly, then CAREFULLY hold it in the steam of a kettle. (A job for after Soph's in bed methinks) Once it's dried, wind into a ball, but always do a bit at a time, over a couple of fingers so that you don't stretch the yarn.

This sounds FAR more complicated than it is, honest!!! T'is just a bit fiddly to start & time consuming. Good Luck

Just a thunk: whilst you're in the charity shop, see if they sell wool cheap!

MW

[mrsflibble]

thanks!!!

i have some lovely stuff to do the frilly round the edge, but not enough for the whole jumper you see lol!!

[red]

time consuming but worth it. i bought a huge jumper at the charity shop for a couple of quid, spent many evenings unravelling it and have enough for two jumpers.

[bodrighy]

Boy does this thread bring back memories. My Nan used to do this a lot. I always had to sit with my hands stretched out whilst she skeined it around them. She used to put the skeins into a pillow case and wash them to unkink them then back onto my arms for her to ball up.

Pete

[tiggy]

MW s advice is right,I just pulled down a lurid screaming red acrylic chunky cardigan I was given and am now looking out for some suitable dark chunky to knit up with it in thin stripes,hoping to tone down the red. This will then hopefully turn in to 2 work jumpers and keep me occupied while ignoring hubbys telly watching .

[Green Aura]

Dennis the mance jumper tiggy! I've knitted a few of them in my time.

Mrs F, unraveling is literally the opposite of knitting it. So start where you finished i.e. sewing together and work backwards.
I wind onto a picture frame and dunk and dry. Gets rid of most of the kinks.

[Helsbells]

This thread has reminded me of a song by weezer:

If you want to destroy my sweater,
Pull this thread as you walk away,
Watch me unravel,
I'll soon be naked,
Lying on the floor, I've come undone.

Sorry had a glass of wine.

[red]

This thread has reminded me of a song by weezer:

If you want to destroy my sweater,
Pull this thread as you walk away,
Watch me unravel,
I'll soon be naked,
Lying on the floor, I've come undone.

Sorry had a glass of wine.

one of my favourite tracks

[tiggy]

first knitted garment I ever made was a Dennis the Menace sweater, it was huge with mile long sleeves since then I sorted out tension and sizes and stuff.

[snowberry]

If you need more specific instructions, I've found this tutorial works great!

I think the hardest part is finding a sweater with the right kind of seams. The rest is a breeze!