how to unravel a thrifted sweater 🧶 (for yarn)!

Hiii!! I'm not the best at tutorials (I try), so here's a quick breakdown of how to unravel a sweater:
- Step 1: rip out all the seams (e.g., shoulder, side, arm)
- Step 2: find the bind-off edge (it looks like a braid/crochet chain almost)
- Step 3: unravel bind-off edge (or just cut it off)
- Step 4: pull yarn to unravel that particular part of the sweater!
- Step 5: repeat for other parts of the sweater~ :D
...also if anything is sussy, it's because I'm not a pro at editing (I've only edited a few videos before).
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[@jeanstevens2305]

Instead of using a seam ripper on every stitch of the seams, cut a few and then try pulling the end of the yarn used to seam the sweater. Most sweaters are seamed using running crochet loops or something similar to a daisy chain. One of the ends should unravel the whole seam (similar to pulling on a crocheted chain - one loop is holding the previous loop down). If you cut the first loop and pull, each loop will come apart in turn.

[@byredbean]

omg a very good tip; def gonna try this out next time I frog a secondhand sweater

[@chriscaine7689]

You should make a video instead, as this one where she is shoving the seam ripper up the middle of the seam is asking for trouble. Patience is needed to successfully unravel a thrifted sweater, otherwise if you nick the sweater and not the stitches holding it together you know what will happen.... I tried to unravel an old cashmere sweater but the fibres were so tight from being washed so much I couldn't do it very successfully. However you can cut cashmere without a problem.

[@vbrooker1]

Great video! I buy a lot of yarn at thrift shops, but I haven’t tried unraveling sweaters yet. I have several in my closet that I can start with! It’s like free yarn!

[@kuledesu]

thank you for this cute tutorial

[@Annnabannanna]

Can I ask what should I do if i basically messed up. In my process of getting rid of seams, I cut into the stitches basically in every other row and now i am left with short pieces of yarn. Is there any way of saving this yarn instead of just binning it all, the yarn is 100% wool, and I feel I've just screwed up.

[@byredbean]

oh no ;w; this happens sometimes and what i usually do is i just magic knot everything (you can search up a tutorial on how to do this on yt) or you can russian join for a more seamless join c: it's definitely fixable tho & i hope one of these options work for you!.

[@Annnabannanna]

@@byredbean thank you very much!!! I'll check those out. Also, thanks for replying so fast too!!

[@feeeeliks]

thank you for this tutorial!!

[@byredbean]

I hope you find it v helpful~ :D

[@tinmanlover1994]

Do you roll yarn into a ball as you go around

[@byredbean]

you can totally do that! i personally unraveled everything first, then used my ball winder to wind up the yarn into cakes.

[@hiiii2873]

Thank you

[@spwaff.]

thank youuuuuuuu!!!!

[@Michaelalalala07]

Do you do anything to wash the yarn or the sweater?

[@byredbean]

yeah! usually after i make something, I'll wash it with some soap (you can use wool detergent but I just use normal detergent and it works just as well on all fibers in my experience) & water, then roll it up in a towel to get out almost all the water before laying it flat to dry.