You probably have sweaters at the back of a wardrobe, damaged by a stain or a moth hole or two. Rather than throwing them out, turn them into something new. Charity shops are also a good source of inexpensive knitwear for exactly this.
1. Reclaim the yarn
The best use for a wool sweater. Unpick the seams and unravel it – a jumper yields a surprising amount of good yarn.
Wind it into a loose hank, tie it in a few places, soak it in lukewarm water and hang it to dry. The kinks fall out and it is ready to knit again.
Check it is knitted rather than cut-and-sewn first: if the seams are overlocked, the pieces were cut and it will not unravel usefully.
2. Felt it deliberately
A hot wash felts untreated wool into a dense, stable fabric that does not fray. That makes it excellent material for cutting up.
3. Cushion covers
The simplest project. A sweater front and back, seamed, with the ribbing at the bottom as a feature. Cable knits look particularly good.
4. Mittens and fingerless gloves
Cut from felted sweater, using the existing cuff as the wrist. Quick and warm.
5. A hot water bottle cover
The sleeve of a chunky sweater is very nearly the right shape already.
6. Slippers
From felted wool, with a non-slip sole added.
7. A blanket or throw
Squares cut from several felted sweaters, joined with blanket stitch. A good use for a collection of mismatched ones.
8. Bags
A felted sweater body with handles added, lined to stop it stretching.
9. Draught excluders and pet beds
Unglamorous and genuinely useful. Stuff a sleeve, or a whole sweater body.
10. Christmas decorations
Stars, hearts and stockings cut from felted wool. They do not fray, so no hemming, and they last for years.
Practical notes
Felt before cutting anything you intend to cut, or the edges will unravel.
Wash before starting. Moths are attracted to body oils rather than to wool itself.
Cut around the damage. A stain or a hole usually leaves a great deal of good fabric.
Save the buttons and zips before anything goes in the bin.
