Reusing Old Crocheted Sweaters

Enhance your shabby chic or vintage decorating with crafts from old crocheted sweaters from the thrift store. These sweaters are often torn or pulled in one area so are not useful as sweaters anymore. I have bought them for between $1-$3 each.

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1. Lampshades: cut the bottom off under the arms and draped this tube over plain white paper lamp shades. tape to the inside to avoid burning the loose threads

2. Drawstring Bags: Try cutting a circle out of the front or back of the sweater and a contrasting fabric, sew a hem, thread cord through and gather. Store lingerie or other items and drop a bunch of them into a wire basket so they show.

3. Window valance: Cut off the bottoms just below the arms, separate the front and back pieces, sew binding tape along the sides and top, add some fabric yo-yos along the bottom edges in your room's colors, add tabs or rings and hang side-by-side.

4. Antimacassars: Instead of doilies, use colorful squares, circles, or diamonds cut from the sweaters. Edge with bias tape or roll over edges and crochet an edging.
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5. Bedspread or throw: This is a little tricky, but you can cut squares and piece together with or without a backing.

6. Lavender sachets: Cut shapes from the sweaters. Match with fabric. Lay down fabric right side up, the sweater piece, and another fabric piece right side down on top. Sew three edges and turn right side out. Fill with lavender and sew closed. Tie matching ribbon around one or two together.

7. Planters: Paint pots white. Cut sweater piece to fit around. Apply glue to wrong side of crocheted piece and wrap pot.

8. Tabletoppers: Cut to fit night- or end table and cover with glass cut to fit.

9. Other: Used with fabric: tea cozies; kitchen appliance covers; clothespin bags; book and phone book covers. Without fabric backing make: dishcloths; dainty bathroom face cloths; curtains; or mug sweaters, etc.

You can decorate using one or two main colors of sweater - like all white or all cream or white and blue, for example. Or you can use many colors throughout.

You can create a romantic wedding with sachets out of white or cream sweaters, napkin rings out of strips of white or cream sweaters tied around rose colored napkins and a silk rose on floral wire, whatever you can think of to add that vintage look!

Using these sweaters has been my favorite crafting ever!

By Allison