Sweater recycling update

I have been so busy I can't even believe that it's been a whole week since the last post. (Big sigh.) With one kidster in school in the morning and the other one in the afternoon, I have been spending a little more one-on-one time with each of them. The 5 year old has really turned on his charm and manners lately. Not sure if it is because of school or me, but I'm not complaining! The 3 year old has also adjusted nicely to school. At home he's still Dr. Demando, but we're working on it. I remember 3 being the (ahem) fun age.

But back on topic! You're all dying for an update on the yarn situation aren't you? Ok, even if you're not, you are going to get one anyway!

Last Saturday night I armed myself with my scissors and a beer. I think the beer part should be a prerequisite when you are taking apart handiwork made by someone else. Or at least it's a good excuse!

I had Googled "recycle sweater yarn" and came up with a lot of useful links. Having the need to really know what I was doing I read at least four articles and blogs; but the first one Craftstylish had all of the info anyone really needs. (BTW, Shortly has a post today from her sister also loving this tutorial!)

I had a little trouble getting started at the cuffs of the arms. They had been reinforced with thread and I was nervous trying to cut the thread only. I moved up a little on the seam, made a snip, and viola! The whole seam just pulled out. I managed to do this with both sleeves, the raglan joins, and the sides! I had the pieces apart by the time I had finished beer #1! Of course it was on to beer #2. By the time I was done with that one I had unraveled the neckband and both arms.

On Sunday I got a little help. Kidster #1 unraveled while Hubster wound. They had so much fun together that I am going to remember to put them to work next time! I took out my homemade swift again and proceeded to measure and prepare for washing. This part was very tedious. If you can, unravel directly onto the swift. You'll be glad you did.

I soaked the yarn in a big pot in my tub and hung it to dry in the storage room. Please pardon the mess! If you look closely between the yarn you can see the tower of bins that is my stash. Well I do have some more in another room, but don't we all?

I have yet to wind all this up into balls. Probably because I don't have a ball winder. Yet!