How to Thrift Sweaters to Unravel and Reclaim Yarn

Start here first! These are my best tips on how to choose the right sweaters to get the most beautiful and luxurious fibres for your knitting projects.
Subscribe for more, as I will be frogging several sweaters in upcoming videos!
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[@sharonmerton9812]

Incredibly interesting and useful crafting knowledge thanks Lisa. Will be diving into the thrifting arena too now thanks to you. 🥰

[@knittysong]

I do this a lot and it's awesome! I recently discovered that if I wind the yarn on my swift and steam it on the swift, it gets much straighter which I like because it feels softer and nicer to knit with, even though it's not necessary to do that!

[@Lisamakes]

I agree, it’s all about the feel! For me, it doesn’t matter, if it makes knitting nicer for you that’s a quicker fix. ;)

[@judithsibley3067]

Look forward to learning how to renew used projects!!!

[@Lisamakes]

I’ve since added a few more videos on the topic!

[@ksykes2009]

Looking forward to watching. Good way to save yarn from a landfill and save money on good quality yarn.

[@Lisamakes]

That’s exactly how I feel!

[@judyhansen6237]

Omgoodness! This is amazing information! Please show us how to frog! Would love to learn this !! 🫶🏻🤗🥰

[@Lisamakes]

Will do! Coming up later this week, I hope!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

This is such an interesting technique! Thank you for sharing your experience and I can't wait for part 2! ❤

[@Lisamakes]

Thanks for watching, Sarah! Part 2 coming soon!

[@allinsonsherratt418]

I've started this with a dark blue wool DK weight jumper. Would probably recommend starting with a pale colour for your first attempt 😂

[@Lisamakes]

Good tip! 😅

[@katrinalevin4064]

Yes, please!

[@sarahel2114]

Soooo interesting. Will be fascinated to see more.

[@Lisamakes]

I’m currently editing the next one. :)

[@thecreativecove6898]

Very cool! Love recycling such a great idea.

[@Lisamakes]

It’s quite addictive.

[@dallasjames9381]

so cool - loving this process!

[@Lisamakes]

Thanks, babe! More on the way.

[@alisoneichler4257]

Yes! Please show us how to frog a sweater.

[@Lisamakes]

Will do!

[@janinegiles-holmes1742]

Thank you, great information.

[@susanconnolly8556]

Thanks Lisa for the inspiration and yes to the next installment, very inspiring

[@Lisamakes]

So glad it was inspiring!

[@kristinekinigson1949]

Very interesting and I learned some things, too. Yes, I want to see the whole unraveling process. Thanks!

[@Lisamakes]

Glad you learned something knew!

[@gillmiller5193]

Fabulous inspiration for an amazing approach to yarn ‘purchase’. Love the idea and youhave done some amazing research. Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to see your final red sweater, it looks great so far. X

[@Lisamakes]

Glad it was helpful! I have a few more gorgeous ones to frog coming up.

[@zsnider6560]

I love that you're documenting this stuff. I've been knitting for only two years, and love thrifting and love cashmere. Like you, I started by felting the cashmere sweaters and sewing things (throws and blankets) from the pieces. then I learned to knit and learned to frog sweaters for my yarn. I have no problem holding several strands together to make a thicker yarn, and find that if I frog two or even three sweaters in similar colors I can make a pleasing marled yarn to use that gives me enough for a whole sweater. If I;m feeling really adventurous I also use acid dyes to unify the color more. To get rid of the kinks I started out by winding the yarn on a swift, soaking the hank and hanging it to dry. This got old really fast. Now I take the hank from the swift and steam iron it on a wool setting while stretching it around my ironing board. This not only makes it much straighter, but it kills any pesky moth eggs and larvae too. Good luck in your thrifty recycling creative adventures! Oh and yes - unzipping a seam is sooooo satisfying.

[@Lisamakes]

Those are some great tips- I will try your steaming technique!

[@marybarker4646]

Yes! I would love to see you frog it. I’m doing one right now that has the folded over collar and it’s really got me stumped for getting that collar off intact.

[@Lisamakes]

Ah! If you remove the tag and look for a little end to snip, you may find it easier. You could also spread apart the seam between the collar and main body to see if there are connecting “bars” of stitches. You can snip a few of those without hurting the neckband.

[@marybarker4646]

@@Lisamakes thanks so much!

[@lindarobbins6750]

I have used this technique for years! Now, I am finding it difficult to find sweaters that are 100% natural fibers. I haven’t tried any online thrift stores though. I have also used the ribbing bands in sewn garments; great for a jacket.

[@Lisamakes]

That’s a great idea to use it on sewn garments- I’ll have to try that!

[@barbhuber7502]

I’m currently working on a scarf I “unknitted” several years ago. It was an infinity scarf and didn’t work for me but I loved the colors in the yarn. It’s good practice,I’m haven’t knitted for 20+ years!

[@Lisamakes]

That’s amazing! Isn’t it satisfying to recreate yarn into something completely new?❤️

[@rebecca-72]

I had an unexpected reaction to this: these sweaters (particularly the one you are about to frog!) look too nice to take apart 😮. I think this is because when you first mentioned the idea last video, I had in mind some thrift store buys with perhaps a moth hole or two, a stain, a rip on the hem…. But I think thrift stores have changed a lot the last few decades. While I was thrilled as a student to find a cashmere cardigan with a thin elbow for a dollar and be able to cheaply fix it, now I think second hand shops have gotten pretty posh and sell things only a few seasons old and in mint condition. So yes, I’ll be curious to see how you do it!!

[@Lisamakes]

I understand! The thing is 2/3 of cast off clothing ends up in the landfill. There were hundreds of wool sweaters just in the categories that I searched! Although we appreciate the beauty of a sweater like this, few do, I’m afraid. If we can reuse the yarn, it is a far better use, I think! Some good info here: www.greenamerica.org/unraveling-fashion-industry/what-really-happens-unwanted-clothes

[@macquadj]

Oh yes, I would love to see how you frog thrifted sweaters 😊

[@roxannetarjan1411]

Yes! Exciting!❤❤❤❤

[@Lisamakes]

Amazing! Coming up soon!

[@s.m.4948]

I'd love to see examples of serged edges!

[@Lisamakes]

Here is an example on a sweatshirt. It’s in a contrasting colour, so it’s easy to see: www.reddit.com/r/sewing/comments/y396z4/bought_a_sweatshirt_with_rough_seamsedges_what/

[@marleenneil7542]

Wonderful information; thank you from the US via NL and Indonesia

[@magsohara7908]

Ooh Yes please. Would like to see some frogging 🙋🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Lisamakes]

Will do!

[@patriciatufts4969]

❤ I can't wait to see you frog a sweater. I have done this with 2 sweaters from Value Village, one was mess that I could not find the sweet spot to start and ended up cut up too much to keep. The other one was better and the yarn felt lovely but I had no idea what the Fibre content was. Looking forward to your next video on your process. Thanks.

[@Lisamakes]

It definitely takes some trial and error, doesn’t it? Hopefully some of my tips will be helpful!

[@bluegrassdreams2seams510]

I’m finally working on a miter square throw with all the leftover sock yarn I have stashed away. I have considered frogging a few projects I made years ago and no longer reach for them. I rarely buy yarn or fabric anymore because I have both and need to use it. Even if it’s re-used to enjoy in a new form😊

[@Lisamakes]

That’s great that you’ve started a scrappy blanket! I have a garter blanket that is 3/4 done that used up so many scraps. So satisfying! Agreed- re-using materials is one of the joys of crafting!

[@annescanapico7168]

Yes frog with us

[@vmac5987]

Looking forward to the next instalment!

[@Lisamakes]

Coming soon!

[@mama_knitter]

This is brilliant and keeping the ribbing is 🤯

[@Lisamakes]

Keeping the ribbing is key!

[@midnightrun2764]

You’re in Spain?! 😳 How awesome is that! 🥳 Thanks for the tips, & take care!..🤟🏼🥂…🇨🇦

[@Lisamakes]

Yes! Over four years now. ❤️

[@Heyreneesews]

I have been thinking of frogging, and now I came across your video! ❤❤

[@Lisamakes]

Amazing! I hope the info was helpful.

[@Heyreneesews]

I watched both of them again. I have so many sweaters that I saved over the years, and I was going to cut them into squares and make a knit cover with them. Now I will probably unwind them and make new sweaters! I have been watching you since before you moved the show to the kitchen in Canada. I'm bad a knitting, but that doesn't stop me! @@Lisamakes

[@Lisamakes]

@Heyreneesews so glad you found it helpful! I bet you’ll be a great knitter when you’re done reknitting all that yarn! 😊Thanks for continuing to watch after all this time. ❤️

[@robynknits]

I tried thrifting and frogging once but had a hard time finding anything really worth doing. Some acrylics and some serged. Might try again

[@Lisamakes]

Yes, it can be a bit of hunt- but online is easier. Something like Poshmark in the States.

[@heatherr9201]

❤

[@cindytalbot2028]

Love the fact you can save us time and frustration in trying this! Thanks for sharing. One question, do you have the sweater cleaned before starting? Do you wash by hand?

[@Lisamakes]

I’m glad it’s helpful! In terms of cleaning, it depends. As these came from someone’s home, not a shop, I judge if they are clean when they arrive. If the look and smell clean, I will steam them well and let them dry. If they seem at all dusty or not fresh, I had wash, or use the wool setting on my machine.

[@sewingseamswithdeb]

I love this. I've thought of doing this myself, but there are hardily any suitable jumpers 8n 9ur op shoos. Great vl9g. ❤❤

[@Lisamakes]

Maybe check online second hand shops?

[@MariettedeJong-wu5kw]

Hi may I ask which sweater you are wearing here? It’s 🥰 adorable!

[@Lisamakes]

The sweater is the Winterfell!

[@oneofcreatorscreationeastm8462]

Thanks for the video on what to look for in reclaim wool, great idea to keeping the hems, and button bands separate. I'm interested in seeing what you make and seeing the unraveling. I have used a serged felted, cabled 100% wool sweater to make a hot water bottle cover and a slip cover for a pillow. Which sites do use to source wool? ❤

[@Lisamakes]

Such a great use for serged sweaters, for sure! Here is Spain, Vinted is the most popular second hand clothing website. It’s really good!

[@jimmersgal]

I sent you another message on another episode, but I love your wrap/snood you’re wearing. I normally don’t assume but what is the name of this wrap? It’s exactly what I’m looking for to knit. Thank you in advance.

[@marleenneil7542]

Do you ever regret unraveling a beautiful sweater?

[@Lisamakes]

I don’t, because I’m taking something that has already lived a life and is now being sold second hand. So much clothing ends up in the garbage because it doesn’t sell- I am giving it a second life. ❤️

[@fr4p00]

Where do u buy them from?

[@Lisamakes]

I use a website called Vinted.

[@4kassis]

or you could just thrift a sweater in your size and wear it...

[@Lisamakes]

Well, sure, but where’s the fun in that? ;) I actually have kept a few of the sweaters I’ve thrifted as is- but I enjoy knitting so much, it’s a great way for me to get special yarn. Win win.