felting an old sweater

[bellewalker]

I have a sweater my husband gave me years ago and I hold on to it because of that but i don't wear it. it is a wool grey sweater with a snowflake pattern and I thought I could use it to make a felted purse. Any ideas, insight, etc. on how to do this?

[Shandeh]

I've thought about doing the same thing with Goodwill or thrift store finds.

All you'd have to do is wash the sweater in hot water, and check to make sure it felts.

When it's felted as much as you want, just cut out the sections you want to use, then sew them together to make a purse or whatever you want.

[Mirl56]

I have plans to do the same thing - I knit the sweater 20+ yars ago, it really barely fits 20 years later. I wore it anyway last winter to an ice skating party and afterwards washed it and shurnk....er, I mean felted it... by mistake.

So mad at myself I tossed it in the 'goodwill' bag. A few days later I realized I had the beginnings of a great felted purse/bag so I pulled it back out to keep. I finally found the handles I wanted to use - sort of this, but the bar across the bottom is longer: http://www.yarnmarket.com/yarn/Fashi...ndle-2898.html.

It still sits in the "I'm going to make this one day" pile, but I really will.....eventually. I think the front/back will make the front/back & sides of the purse, the ribbing around the bottom of the sweater will be the bottom of the purse. I thought about using the sleeves for the handle, but bought some instead.

I'm thinking if I cut open the sleeves into flat pieces I may have a 2nd, smaller purse, too.

[Shandeh]

It really is a good idea. We can even make pockets inside the bag with some of the fabric.

[mwhite]

I've done it and it works well. There should be a photo in my photobucket site... link at bottom. Shandeh is right, felt it first, then cut out the parts and stitch together. Use a nice lining fabric, make pockets and WHA LA! If you compare the cost of yarn and your labor to a Goodwill sweater for $2 it's alot cheaper, too!

[bellewalker]

thanks for the tips and the feedback. i plan to try it out and hope it does not end up in my "to do" pile, though i am in desperate need of a winter purse.