It's the perfect time of year for warm, fuzzy accessories! I love scarves, mittens and snow hats, but did you know you can make them yourself from an old sweater? Today I'll show you how to recycle a sweater into something brand new!

Step 1: Use the hemline on your sweater as the hemline for your new piece. For example, since we are making a hat today I am using the bottom of this sweater, which already has a pretty finished hem!

Step 2: Mark off the area that you want to sew with chalk or a marker. Your sweater should be turned inside out. I used a hat I already have to measure the pattern for my new hat. Remember, it's better to make it a little bit too big, you can always size it down later!

Step 3: Stitch your shape on your sewing machine. We used a 3.5 inch stitch length for this sweater, which is a medium weight sweater. Remember to sew before you cut the knit fabric. Step 4: Cut your hat out. Try it on. Stitch it smaller if it's too big (we did this a couple times!). Enjoy your new fuzzy hat and add a
yarn pompom if you like!

Turn it inside out and it's done!

TIPS FOR SEWING KNIT:
-Always use the existing hem, if you can!
-Give yourself extra seam allowance, it's easier to size down than to size up.
-Always sew before you cut the knit fabric!
-Start with basic shapes like a hat or scarf before you try something more complicated!
-Thinner knits are easier to sew with a machine.
-If you need to cut your sweater before sewing, baste the edges of the garment before you cut.
-Chunkier knits need a bigger stitch length.
-Try adding hand stitched details with yarn. It's so much fun!

Have fun stitching somehting from a knit sweater! xo. elsie
This sewing basics series was created in collaboration with Missy Creed of Momentum Fashion. Missy is a talented seamstress who sews for Red Velvet!
Tips for Sewing Sweater Knit
It's the perfect time of year for warm, fuzzy accessories! I love scarves, mittens and snow hats, but did you know you can make them yourself from an old sweater? Today I'll show you how to recycle a sweater into something brand new!
Step 1: Use the hemline on your sweater as the hemline for your new piece. For example, since we are making a hat today I am using the bottom of this sweater, which already has a pretty finished hem!
Step 2: Mark off the area that you want to sew with chalk or a marker. Your sweater should be turned inside out. I used a hat I already have to measure the pattern for my new hat. Remember, it's better to make it a little bit too big, you can always size it down later!
Step 3: Stitch your shape on your sewing machine. We used a 3.5 inch stitch length for this sweater, which is a medium weight sweater. Remember to sew before you cut the knit fabric. Step 4: Cut your hat out. Try it on. Stitch it smaller if it's too big (we did this a couple times!). Enjoy your new fuzzy hat and add a
yarn pompom if you like!
Turn it inside out and it's done!
-Always use the existing hem, if you can!
-Give yourself extra seam allowance, it's easier to size down than to size up.
-Always sew before you cut the knit fabric!
-Start with basic shapes like a hat or scarf before you try something more complicated!
-Thinner knits are easier to sew with a machine.
-If you need to cut your sweater before sewing, baste the edges of the garment before you cut.
-Chunkier knits need a bigger stitch length.
-Try adding hand stitched details with yarn. It's so much fun!
Have fun stitching somehting from a knit sweater! xo. elsie
This sewing basics series was created in collaboration with Missy Creed of Momentum Fashion. Missy is a talented seamstress who sews for Red Velvet!
Thanks for commenting! Comments are moderated (everything constructive is approved), so they may take a bit to appear. We reply to comments daily, so please check back!