Maybe it’s just that I've spent too much time absorbing the eco-conscious ethos that is so much a part of Portland, but I get such a kick out crafting new things out of the old. There is something so special about taking an object that is bound for the trash & magically transforming it into something useful. Old woolen sweaters are an extremelyÂ*versatileÂ*resource. Everyone has one buried in a closet somewhere in their house -it may be that gorgeous cashmere you adored until it sadly grew a hole in the sleeve, or that amazing patternedÂ*ScandinavianÂ*ski sweater your grandma gave you back in the day that you’d never wear but somehow can’t seem to part with. Both are just begging for new life. With minimal elbow grease & a little creativity, you can turn those space-wasters into something <a href="http://www.monclerplaces.com/Moncler-Vests/Moncler-Men-Vests/"><strong>Moncler Men Vests</strong></a> fun & new. First, you need to felt them. Felting refers to the process of compressing the wool fibers by applying hot water & friction. Once the wool is felted, it can be cut without raveling -meaning it can be used without sewing the raw edges, which is quite handy, especially if sewing isn’t your forte. And the process couldn't be easier. The internet is littered with simple felting instructions. Once your wool is felted you have a million options: *That favorite cashmere? Turn it into a cozy newborn hat by cutting out two rectangles along the bottom edge of the sweater & sewing up the sides. Â*Cut out pieces of complimentary colored wool & hand stitch on some pretty leaves or, if you're me & you have <a href="http://www.monclerplaces.com/Moncler-Kids/Moncler-Kids-Girls/"><strong>Moncler Kids Girls</strong></a> a reputation to worry about, a tiny, baby owl.Â* *I’ve made super warm, water-resistant mittens for my son by simply cutting out the shape front & back (you can use an existing pair for a pattern) & stitching them together inside out. *The sleeves of sweaters make great baby & toddler leg warmers. Added embellishments can really make these items shine. *Snip the wool into the shapes of bells, snowmen, pine trees, snowflakes & hearts, thread each on a looped string & you’ve got gorgeous, recycled, DIY Christmas tree ornaments ready made in the space of a snowy, Saturday afternoon. Get the whole family involved! *They’re a little more complicated, but I think it would be so much fun to bust out a pair of wool slippers. And if you have an old leather jacket lying around, you’ve got the perfect material for the soles! Â*Delicate baby booties are another fun project for the finer wool in your stash, & for those with the patience for very small handwork. *Since wool is water repellent & breathable, it is the perfect material for cloth diaper covers, especially for nighttime use when chronic leaks bedevil you. (Choose merino wool or something a little less scratchy for this project!). Don’t pay 36 a pop for them -make them yourself! There are plenty of fantastic patterns available online. As long as you’ve got an imagination, you can probably think of something fun & interesting to make with felted wool. The options are truly limitless, and the internet is an incredible resource for patterns & tutorials. Anything you can think of, someone has probably already made & is willing to show you how online! So next time you’re cleaning out those closets & readying for a trip to Goodwill, remember that you don’t have to part with those gorgeous old woolens & you don’t have to hoard them forever either. With your washing machine, scissors & a needle & thread you can make a dozen new & beautiful things. BIO: Charlotte Cooper parlayed her penchant for repurposing into Hoo Hats, the hat company that she operates out of her dining room. Hoo Hats are unique, felted wool owl hats that she crafts by hand from lovingly rescued wool sweaters. Â*With their artful, high design aesthetic & a strong reliance on utilizing recycled resources, Hoo Hats is a perfect merger of Charlotte’s concern for sustainability & her desire to craft something fresh & original. Charlotte lives in sunny Southeast Portland with her long-time best friend & husband Matthew & her own “wise little owl,” Xavier Shannon. When she’s not sewing feverishly, Charlotte can be found moving stuff around in her garden, building a tiny house in her driveway, or riding the train to the moon with Xavier. Visit hoohats.com (
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HooHats – Recycle Old Wool Sweaters Into Something FUN & NEW! |
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