One of the greatest things about this time of year is the Change of Seasons. Why? Well, one of the reasons is that if you live in this type of climate, you have more clothes, perhaps, than let’s say, the average Southern Californian. Heh. (waves!)
Call me crazy, but who wouldn’t love that (especially a clothes hound like myself)?
I know I have more parkas! (And jackets, and coats, and comforters and on and on and…)
Right about now, everyone here goes rousting about in their closets to haul out and get the colder weather garments back in circulation.
I’ve been having a lot of fun “shopping” in mine — especially in the armoire that holds my sweaters.
All of the cotton/warm weather wear gets put up high on the top shelves and down comes the woolens. Further sorting puts things into piles: light to heavyweight; informal to formal.
But in doing this, I noticed I was burying some things that were previous favorites to wear. What did they have in common? They were mostly slightly heavier, everyday-type wool sweaters, usually worn with a down vest or as a jacket. Many had something I was entirely enamored about a few years ago.
Zippers.
And the light bulb went off!
Since I wasn’t loving them as jackets anymore, maybe they could just be cardigans. Maybe they’d be more comfortable as an inside sweater. And maybe, just maybe, they would be more wearable with a traditional button band and buttons.
So, a transformation began!
Here is a favorite from quite awhile back which is in great shape but was not getting a lot of runway time anymore.
It was one of my pets because it was a start-to-finish total DIY kind of thing. I kettle-dyed the yarn to a favorite color pairing and made a slick little ribbed collar, all closed with a zipper.
What is totally amazing is that this was in 2005!!
So, I’ve had this sweater in circulation, worn many, many times; washed many, many times, and it still looks pretty great! Viva La Lambie!
But it was time for something a little different if it was not going into the give-away bin…
Further digging in a box that holds completed project yarn found enough original yardage to do the trick!
First, the zipper was carefully removed with my nice sharp seam ripper. Then the original collar and bands were removed and new bands were knit in 2×2 ribbing to match the sides of the sweater.
The bands were steamed, from the wrong side, and left to dry.
Some nice, but good quality, plain black buttons joined the mix and now
back in circulation, a whole new look!
Call me crazy, but it’s like having a whole new sweater, it looks and behaves so much differently than how it was being used before.
I have to warn you though. This is pretty addictive. Right after I finished this one, I found another fab candidate for a transformation…
Recycling Rocks!
Really liking cardigans these days so this is interesting, but hey (and maybe I missed this), will you be putting out that classic cardigan pattern based on the turquoise sweater and red buttons? Or should I stop waiting for it?
What a great idea! Maybe it’s time for me to redo my own Ribbi Cardi…
I was just looking at my Ribbi Cardi thinking how I’m not a fan of the zipper. You’re sweater looks fantastic…great idea!
Truly – it’s like a brand new garment!
Ooh, love it! No pattern? Boo hoo :-(
wow, i love that sweater pattern so much more with the button front than the zipper and big collar. any chance you’ll be releasing this version of the pattern?
Love how cardigans are coming back into fashion. So much more flattering that sweaters!! Can’t wait for the 50s twin-set to re-emerge…..lol x
Love, love, love all cardigans = easy on. off, on, off, on, off (if you get my drift!!!!) lol. Am always on the lookout at our Thrift stores for those kind of ideas, tho lucky you to have extra yarn on hand for the remake :)
I just came across your blog and love it, however, when I add it to my Google Reader RSS feed only the first snip it of the post comes up. I wondered if you would change your setting to view the full posts? or is there something I have to do on my end to see it? Thanks!