How to Recycle Wool Sweaters & Coats

Wool sweaters can be turned into a variety of fashionable accessories

Wool sweaters and coats are relatively simple to recycle and are versatile in the projects they can produce. They are warm, colorful and plentiful in most wardrobes or thrift stores. A new craft project constructed of wool clothing can make a great gift whether it is a new piece of clothing or a novelty item. Wool is a strong material, is longlasting and it can also be unravelled into yarn for other projects. Remaking these clothing items into quality wearable or fashionable accessories can breathe new life into them, while also contributing to a sustainable lifestyle.

Things You'll Need

• Wool sweaters/coats
• Lining material
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

Wool Bag

1. Cut a large rectangle or square from the body of the sweater. Use the largest amount of material as possible to not waste the wool. Cut off the arms of the sweater and put them aside. These will form the strap for the bag. Keep the remaining pieces for other uses or floral decals for the bag.

2. Turn rectangle inside out. Cut off the top where the neck is located. Stitch this part closed as it will form the bottom of the bag. The finished edge of the bottom of the sweater will form the top of the bag. This is the simplest way to repurpose a wool sweater as a bag as the sewing involved is not too intensive.

3. Turn the sleeves inside out. Pin them together at the cut ends. Stitch them together. Turn them back right side out. Attach one end of the strap to the inside of the bag. Attach the other end of the strap to the opposite side inside the bag. The bag is now complete. Sew on floral decals cut from the excess wool scraps.

Wine Cozy

1. Use a wool sweater that has been shrunken in the laundry. Cut off the sleeves. Pull one sleeve over a wine bottle. Measure the sleeve from the bottom of the neck to the bottom of the bottle. Cut the wool sleeve to this measurement.

2. Measure the bottom of the bottle. Cut a circle to this measurement from the wool. Turn the sleeve inside out. Stitch the circle to the cut edge of the sleeve. Turn the cozy right side out.

3. Place the wine bottle inside the new cozy. Roll the edge of the finished sleeve down. Decorate the outside of the cozy with a wool ribbon or floral decal.

Wool Quilt

1. Cut a series of squares from a variety of wool sweaters and coats. Measure the total length and width according to your preference based on how large you wish the quilt to be. Cut a piece of lining to match the desired size.

2. Stitch, crochet or knit the squares together forming an interesting pattern. Make sure all pieces are connected properly.

3. Stitch the connected squares to the lining material using a zigzag or blanket stitch. Consider using luxurious materials like satin or silk if giving as a gift.

Tips & Warnings

• Use wool sweaters or coats of similar patterns to make matching pieces together easier. Consider solids and patterns mixed, just tastefully for the best results.

• Wool can snag easily depending on how thickly it is woven. Take care not to let bits of the sweaters or coats run to avoid issues in your sewing projects as unravelling may occur otherwise.

References

• Cut Out and Keep: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle a Thrift Store Sweater
• Re-Nest: Wool Sweater Sleeve as Wine Cozy

Resources

• Green Your: Reuse Old Sweaters