HOW TO RECLAIM YARN | turning thrifted knitwear into useable yarn

by popular request: how I reclaim yarn! also affectionately known among friends as sweater harvesting. it takes time and patience, but is so very rewarding!
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[@lydiasimon7206]

This realization was huge for me. I would say 90% of my yarn stash was either gifted to me or purchased second hand. I am not able to spend $100 + on a sweaters quantity of yarn whenever I want to start a project so being able to reclaim yarn has been amazing. I haven't ventured into overdying anything yet, but I am hoping to give it a shot soon.

[@apt.atelier]

It's the best! it makes knitting so much more affordable and accessible. Overdying is definitely an experience...use lots of test strands and be okay with a little bit of unpredictability! it's a lot of trial and error.

[@lauramorrisett4522]

I LOVE reclaimed yarn. I have had great success at finding very nice yarns that I would not normally buy due to the price point. Great video to introduce newbies to one of many ways to afford this great hobby

[@TinaSpencer-mr1cp]

I started reclaiming yarn several years ago and fell in love with the process. There is just something about it that is so relaxing, which is why I’m watching your fabulous video. 😊 Great tips provided, especially regarding washing before deconstructing.

[@songbirdhandmade]

This was so helpful. I didn't know how to recognize the seams of the sweaters that will unravel well, thank you for sharing these tips!

[@apt.atelier]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! happy harvesting.

[@quil10it]

Thank you for this….I had been reusing reclaimed materials and never thought about reclaimed the yarn Duh! Great tips…..

[@SharonCullenArt]

Thank you for this video. I have always passed by the clothing in thrift stores but now I will keep my eyes on those racks! The only problem is that now I have to go through all of the racks and not just my size!

[@apt.atelier]

it's a labor of love but it can be so worth it!

[@lyrebird9749]

Thanks for saying that knitting can be an expensive and wasteful hobby! So many YT videos going "just buy this, just buy that ..." Great to see more people re-using second-hand clothes in this way. Just a tip, not all side seams are done the same way. I'm currently unpicking a tightly (machine) knit jumper/sweater which has 'invisible' seams. The knitted sections have edges slightly folded inwards and sewn together, using a strand of the wool plus a strand of same colored cotton. It is very cleverly done to make the garment as seamless as possible, which makes it hard to undo. But will be worth it in the end.

[@leilonnihamilton8356]

I love to take things apart. I enjoy the process.

[@chriscaine7689]

I thought I was the only one lol. I find it extremely relaxing. I also like to do it with soft leather jackets etc. The problem is more knitted garments are made from acrylic so its a treasure hunt I do regularly, keeps me fit lol

[@danad4849]

Thank you, after watching I got out my thrifted bulky cashmere sweater that I had taken apart successfully years ago but wasn't confident about the unraveling part. But with your tips I have now unraveled the sleeve....so excited! Maybe a seasons cardi!

[@apt.atelier]

I'm so glad you were successful! I love my seasons cardi, it's a great staple piece, I wear it at least once a week. Plus, it would be so lush in cashmere.

[@alexandradixon3775]

So here's one more thing that I think would be very important when buying a garment to harvest the yarn - the condition of the yarn. Is it pilled, slubbed, worn? I wouldn't necessarily reject something that had a stain or two - that means that a section of the yarn will have to be discarded. But I would reject a garment if it showed too much wear.

[@apt.atelier]

Definitely something to consider! I have taken apart things that were slightly pilled or felted before though, or things with holes. It's definitely up to you to decide what you're comfortable with!

[@alexandradixon3775]

I buy clothes at thrift stores all the time to reclaim the yarn! Good to find so many members of my tribe here :-) I also sometimes will buy something just for the buttons, cut the buttons off and immediately re-donate the garment to the thrift store. Yes, it has less value without the buttons, but I paid the full price for the garment so if they re-sell it for slightly less, they're making almost twice as much on it, and whoever buys it can sew on the buttons of their choice!

[@catb2069]

Thank you for always coming up with such informative and interesting content! I really enjoy your podcasts.

[@chriscaine7689]

Another thing I consider important is to choose a garment that does not already show signs of pilling (bobbling). As if the garment has pilling already, it will also do that after all your effort to unpick and reknit. Therefore look for jumpers in great condition to begin with. Oh and stop deter your jumper from pilling, wash inside out it will last longer ❤

[@skippysmom]

new subscriber here! i’ve done this before with a super chunky acrylic sweater as practice but this video has given me the courage to try something finer. love it!

[@apt.atelier]

Thanks for being here! You can totally do it, I believe in you.

[@ryiah]

Really informative, Thanks. It has made me think twice about throwing out/donating clothing, as I can reuse it! I'll be looking at clothing in a different light now!

[@theeggtimertictic1136]

This is why I hoard ... I see potential in EVERYTHING! Not always a good thing ☺️

[@conniecarroll747]

Same here.

[@meritachung7075]

Thank you so much for sharing this knowledge and things to be mindful of while taking the sweater apart. Your instructions are clear and very helpful. Thanks again! And most important of all, congratulations on your baby!!! ❤❤👶🏻👶🏻👼👼

[@cristinapascari3895]

Thank you for this useful video, I've watched it, made notes and went to the thrift store and found a very nice cardigan (large and gray!) but started wearing the cardigan and don't want to unravel it anymore, it's so comfy and warm :)

[@apt.atelier]

That is a common trap! But glad you have a lovely large and cozy cardigan to wear.

[@spwaff.]

bless you. this video fell out of the sky! thank you sooooo much!❤

[@chickenbreast7016]

This is such a good tutorial! Ive never ventured outside of acrylic or polyester yarn since those are the cheapest options. I always liked the feeling of cotton better but for big projects like a whole top, its not economical. I'm definitely keeping an eye out in the future for knitted pieces in the future.

[@officialejprice]

such an informative n helpful video!! thank you anna!!

[@StephRenee812]

Some sweaters specially vintage ones can be worth a lot of money. It's crazy to me what people will buy and for amazing prices

[@allinsonsherratt418]

I would use a fine cable needle to help with the unpicking. As I've lost a lot of weight recently I've become very good at frogging my own knits. And comfortable with the idea of recycling knitted but never worn garments 😄😄. So of course my next step is to do this with ready made garments too. I had been thinking about the cutting ideas prevalent on yt but prefer the frogging idea. Thanks

[@iordachecristiana]

It seems that nobody noticed what a lovely person is presenting all this to us...

[@thuy-an1807]

So many great tips!! thank you so much!

[@jenidouthit7980]

This was super helpful, thank you!

[@abeeral-qattan5997]

Wow this is amazing and so informative thank you so much 💕👌🏼

[@michellethompson5755]

Thanks for not just telling us but also showing us what NOT to buy when looking for sweaters to unravel. 😊

[@ivyb4351]

Wow would never thought to do this I have so many quality wool sweaters that are extremely to large on me now

[@emilymiller4349]

THANK YOU! LOVE THIS!

[@apt.atelier]

Glad you like it!

[@EuphemiaGrubb]

For anyone who's new to knitting, DK stands for Double Knitting weight.

[@hoshimeow]

This is so helpful thank you !

[@carol-annmatthew5296]

Wonderful tips..thanks

[@dallasmandy]

Thank you. This is so detailed

[@fannyfayvintage7668]

Thank you! Great video.

[@The-Vintage-Needlecrafter]

Thanks for making this video. I am working on a sweater that I reclaimed from a blanket. That was easy to rip apart. Now I'm trying to rip out a cotton garment and I am getting so frustrated.

[@shannonec]

If you use a niddy noddy you'll know exactly how much yarn you have!! It works great!!

[@dace8828]

So helpful! Thank you. I bought a 100% cashmere sweater at a thrift shop for less than 2 EUR but i don't like the fit. I want to make a vest out of it

[@apt.atelier]

That sounds like the most lush vest ever!

[@louisapdjones]

Good info!

[@ViperBurlesque]

So helpful!! Also, is that a James Perse cardigan?? Because if yes then I applaud you for pilling it apart 😂❤

[@craftycrafter1960]

I donate any yarn I have had for a while and figure I won’t use. So someone else can use it for something. I like the idea of taking apart old sweaters to make something new.

[@TC-rv6sz]

Omg I just noticed that for sweaters that are serged and not good for harvesting skeins for regular knitting/crochet, it might still be good for nålbinding where you use shorter strands anyway 😂

[@reneedutter4940]

This was so informative and helpful. Thanks! Would love to see what you eventually make with this yarn.

[@apt.atelier]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm planning to make some summer rompers for two little babies coming soon (not mine lol)! I'm sure I'll talk all about them in a future video.

[@maillemarie1703]

Brilliant! Thank you for all these tips. I once read a Tincanknits post about reclaiming yarn and wondered ever since how it really worked. My question would be: where do you find the sweaters? Second hand I guess, mostly?

[@apt.atelier]

Yep! Generally at thrift stores or estate sales.

[@maillemarie1703]

@@apt.atelierok! Am dying to find one and beginning the unraveling part. Looks fun!

[@pinkkitty9159]

I love your ball winder, where did you get the fancy wood one?!!😅😆🤔

[@apt.atelier]

I got mine on Amazon, but knit pro makes a wood one and you can also find them on etsy

[@debrarodriguezestrada2748]

I always check seams - for if they are not able to be unraveled, the other consideration are meaningless.

[@apt.atelier]

yes for sure!

[@sabrinalee780]

Hi! Thank you so much for this. What about sweaters with pilling? Do you still harvest the yarn? Do you shave them first? Or do you avoid them? Thank you!

[@apt.atelier]

A little pilling doesn't bother me! you can do it either way (de-pilled or not), whichever you prefer.

[@sabrinalee780]

@@apt.atelier Thank you so much!

[@vivi-ws9yl]

I shrunk my sweater like 4 times now but now it's actually unwearable lmao but I'm so scared to actually upcycle it or unravel it because it's like I'm destroying a piece of history 😩

[@apt.atelier]

there's nothing wrong with keeping it around as a momento! it's a piece of art!

[@iknowyouwanttofly]

Have you tried putting it in water with a whole bottle of conditioner? That has worked for me one time but distryed an other sweater. Both where 100% wool so dont know why it works on some but not others.

[@conniecarroll747]

Could it have something to do with the dye that was used? The only thing I can think of since they all use different chemicals. I thought for years that I was allergic to wool because I would have skin problems when I wore sweaters, then I watched a science program that said many people don't have allergic reactions to wool but it was due to the chemical dyies used to make the colors that were causing their skin problems. I found after that I could spin with several types of wool and not one of them gave me any problems.

[@yvonnevigil7489]

Question: on the 100% wool items you wash ans like your wood winder where and who makes it. Thanks

[@apt.atelier]

Yes, I wash 100% wool! you can do it by hand or in the machine on the delicate cycle. I just got my winder on Amazon, but KnitPro makes a similar wooden one, and there are many on Etsy.

[@yvonnevigil7489]

@@apt.atelier new subscriber

[@susanchapman7622]

Always freeze thrifted wool garments to kill any moths or eggs.

[@apt.atelier]

I always wash them before I harvest!

[@conniecarroll747]

​@@apt.atelier Good point.

[@iloveazaeliabanks]

im broke and want more yarn so here i am ig

[@amypapenhausen8970]

What about wool sweaters that have been shrunk?

[@apt.atelier]

depending on how felted they are it is doable, but it takes more time and you have to be really careful not to break the yarn. I've rescued a sweater that was felted in places but not all over relatively successfully!

[@amypapenhausen8970]

@@apt.atelier thank you!

[@7tub3r]

New email in your in box.

[@ezgisabahatulgen9972]

Its unrelated but i just wanted to mention how beautiful you are 🥰 😘

[@JazzyUrquoise]

How can we “retwist” it?

[@apt.atelier]

do you mean put it back into skeins?

[@joannathesinger770]

@@apt.atelier I'm wondering if she means to re-ply it.