Do you want to help keep as much as you can out of the landfill? Do you hate to see things going to waste? Here are a few tips to help upcycle materials this spring!
Unravel a sweater to reclaim yarn
We all have those sweaters in our closet that are destined to go to the thrift store after the Spring cleaning purge, but what if that sweater could become your next new project?
Start by examining the sweater, if it is still in good condition, you can reclaim the yarn. Start by unseaming the sweater. Once the sweater is in parts, find an end and start unraveling! This can be a fun project to do with kids. Using a swift makes the process go a little faster, and prepares you for the next step. Wash the yarn in a yarn soak to relax the fiber, then hang it up to dry with a weight to get out any of the pesky kinks.
If you don’t like the original color of the yarn, this is the ideal time to dye it.
If you don’t have any old sweaters, head to your local thrift store and there are sure to be plenty of them there to turn into a pretty sizeable stash. For a more detailed explanation of this process, check out this great blog post.
Turn fabric into yarn
Whether it’s a worn out t-shirt, or old sheets, any fabric can become your new rug yarn! Cut up t-shirts and sheets to create long strips of fabric that you can either crochet, knit, or weave long-lasting durable rugs. This gives those old garments a second life, and gives you an excuse to use your Jumbo Birch needles and hooks!
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| Crochet Rug Tutorial from 1 Dog Woof |
Upcycle your worn-out clothes
If you have a t-shirt that is a little worn out or just don't love it anymore, adorn it with yarn!
The Jelly Bean Tee Edging pattern teaches you how to add a knit yoke around a shirt, which can add new life to your favorite sweatshirt! Or, try adding some lace around the worn out cuff of your jeans.
Spruce up your boring outfits by adding appliques, as seen here in the Sweater Makeover pattern from Meredith Crawford.
If you have a t-shirt that is a little worn out or just don't love it anymore, adorn it with yarn!
The Jelly Bean Tee Edging pattern teaches you how to add a knit yoke around a shirt, which can add new life to your favorite sweatshirt! Or, try adding some lace around the worn out cuff of your jeans.
Spruce up your boring outfits by adding appliques, as seen here in the Sweater Makeover pattern from Meredith Crawford.
What is your favorite upcycling tip? How do you celebrate Earth day? Let us know in the comments below for your chance to win 1 of two prizes: a set of our Naturalz DPNs or a pair of our Fixed Circular Needles.
We'll announce our winners in our next blog post on Friday, April 28. Good luck!
If you liked this blog, please share it with your friends and knit group! If you try any of these projects, let us know over on Instagram and use the hashtag #knitterspride.
I don't have a "tip", but two projects I've done lately are cutting out floral designs from outgrown clothing and using WonderUnder to iron them on baby onesies, and using men's buttondown shirts to make cute bibs with bowties.
ReplyDeleteWe celebrate earth day everyday. We recycle plastic,cans,cardboard. And we put kitchen scrapes for composting.
DeleteWe celebrate earth day everyday. We recycle plastic,cans,cardboard. And we put kitchen scrapes for composting.
DeleteWe celebrate earth day everyday. We recycle plastic,cans,cardboard. And we put kitchen scrapes for composting.
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DeleteI celebrate earth day year round. I've recycled for over 30 years, I've composted my food scraps over 20 years, I've been restoring my woodlands by removing invasive species (you'd be surprised how many birds, animals and plants come back when the invasives are removed), I don't run water while brushing my teeth, I don't leave lights on when not needed, I unplug vampire items when not in use, I reuse containers and bags, I repurpose fabric, I changed my toilets to low flow models and before that I had a quart of bottled water in the tank to displace tank water, I got rid of all my incandescent light bulbs, I could go on and on and on. There are so many little things folks can do that add up to real change.
ReplyDeleteWhen clothes are outgrown, they are passed to younger cousins or our church's Compassion Center. But once clothes are worn out, and I mean WORN OUT, buttons are harvested, fabrics are harvested for rags, garden or junk drawer ties or yarn if possible and some pieces are even fed to our worms.
ReplyDeleteLast summer though, I made the whole family cut up and hem an old sheet into cloth napkins. They loved it, they hated it, I hated it, I loved it. It was a long summer but we buy fewer paper napkins and have fewer yards of that ugly thread we had no other use for.
We are celebrating Earth Day camping in Yosemite National Park, as we did one other time -- an amazing place to be. I've shortened legs and dyed linen pants to upcycle and am about to start doing some needlework and boro type patching on old jeans that are wearing out.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy making quilts out of old T-shirts from my travels, to show all the places that I have been.
ReplyDeleteAnd for Earth Day this year, I am going to walk around our local nature trail, which is very relaxing for me.
Old sheets can provide a lot of fabric to make reuseable shopping bags.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this counts as upcycling, but the bobbin winder on my sewing machine stopped working, so I rigged an old walkman cassete player to hold the bobbin. Now I just hit FF and away we go! I also like to dismantle old furniture and reuse the pieces to build new, for instance, two large, dilapidated redwood yard chairs became a coffee table and end table. There's always something being freecycled here in SF, so there's no shortage of supplies.
ReplyDeleteI have recycled a few sweaters. I reuse containers when possible. Worn torn clothes usually end up as rags.
ReplyDeleteI like to take the boyz blue jeans and create tote style bags (re usable bags). I like the vintage knitting patters for 'edges' , knitted trims and add to the bags. this year, I want to use the jeans for a sewing machine cover, with knitted trim --- I may even fuse/sew some knitted swatches on it! If I can figure out the pockets from jeans and get them on the sewing machine cover, wouldn't that be GREAT?
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've done with repurposed knitted items: once unraveled, I lay the yarn out on a towel on the kitchen counter, looping it back and forth the length of the counter so all or much of it lays out and then I steam out the kinks. It's much easier than hanging wet yarn. Sometimes it needs a sudsless yarn wash after steaming; sometimes the fibers seem relaxed enough and I don't wash it - just reuse!
ReplyDeleteI celebrate Earth Day by going out and planting trees, picking up dirt and participating in community based events. I do most of those things on days that's aren't Earth Day too but hey, Earth Day is a great excuse to plant trees!
ReplyDeleteNormally I recycle and upcycle older fabrics into shopping bags and frog older projects
ReplyDeleteI had an old bolt of cotton fabric that I hadn't used in a decade. Since I loved the color and needed a rug I've cut it up. My tip is make sure to have consistency in strip size or it will be harder to work with.
ReplyDeleteI celebrate earth day by sitting down with my kids and re-purposing old glass jars into crafts or things like pencil holders. My favorite tip is to plan out your color palettes and research ideas a week or so before taking the plunge. Inspiration is everywhere!
ReplyDeleteWe have an Earthday festival every year.
ReplyDeletesparky136 on Ravelry
Over the years, I have sewn a lot of clothing for my family. Because of this I have a lot of small pieces of fabric. So I learned how to quilt. So far I have made 3 quilts and still have enough scraps for more.
ReplyDeleteMine is to reuse plastic bottles for water, stick them in the freezer and have cold water all the time. And reuse groceries bag as garbage bags.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother used to get vintage dresses, unpick them and fashion some beautiful new clothes and it is something I aspire to do myself one day.
ReplyDeleterosebob on ravelry
My city holds an earth day celebration every in one of the city parks.
ReplyDeleteknittingdancer on Raverly
Recently I used bits of fabric cuttings and bits of thread leftover from quilting and wash away interfacing to make more fabric. I don't necessarily celebrate earth day--EVERY day should be about reusing and repurposing and finding ways to reduce the impact of our trash on the home God gave us.
ReplyDeleteMy sweetie accidentally felted a wool sweater (err, not handknit!) so I save it to make some mittens. I will poke some holes and do a buttonhole stitch around the lower edge, and then pickup and knit a ribbed cuff so they will be snug on the wrist.
ReplyDeleteThe more we reuse the less waste there is to pollute our beautiful home planet. We are all connected to the earth, so it makes sense to care for her as we would a loved one.
I try to use little to no disposable dinnerware/utensils. I can not believe the styrofoam/disposable eating implements that the people in my office can go through on a daily basis!
ReplyDeleteI "upcycle" ? all my previously read magazines by taking them to the local hospital emergency room waiting area. I also have a box in my condo bldg common mailroom to collect others magazines to deliver as well. I spent a LOT of time in the ER with my son for years who suffered from severe asthma and I was always frustrated by the lack of decent reading material while I waited.
ReplyDeleteI buy sweaters from thrift stores, unravel them, wash and dry, then use yarn to make new garments. Also, recycle empty prescription bottles for storing beads, spices, etc.
ReplyDeleteI celebrate Earth Day every day. Years ago I hauled all my empty bottles and cans and newspapers to the recycling center -- long before our City started recycling trucks. I donate sheets and blankets to our local humane society so the dogs who have to be there have soft beds.
ReplyDeleteWe like to plant the black walnuts, that fall in our yard, and give the saplings to people who want to plant new trees in their yards. A lot of our neighbors have little baby black walnut trees all over their yards!
ReplyDeleteI like turning old t shirts into yarn for tag rugs.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I turn old tshirts and tanks into tote bags. Fun and practical!
ReplyDeleteBike commuter & carpooler
ReplyDeleteWe do not actually celebrate Earth Day, but I have up-cycled fabric and old clothing for years into quilts, fabric frames, ornaments, stuffed toys. Re-purposed Christmas cards into lovely ornaments. My kids'old tee shirts were seen into beautiful quilts; the backs of the tees re-purposed as shop rags for my husband. Old sweaters have been used for backs of crocheted or knitted pillow covers. We use pine straw, from the pines we planted, as mulch.
ReplyDeleteI recycle everything. We can only put out actual garbage every 3-4 weeks and never have a full can. I really enjoy recycling yarn, fabric, sheets, etc.
ReplyDeleteI have made yarn from t shirts and have collected enough t shirts to make my husband a quilt from his college. i wish i had saved some my kids clothes while they were growing up. i would be making them all sorts of things with them. i like the idea of shopping totes out of old sheets. have to try that one out.
ReplyDeleteI reuse old t-shirts for cleaning rags and keep old towels in the car in case of a spill. I try to reduce and eliminate waste and giveaway because so much of what is donated to second hand stores is actually thrown into landfills.
ReplyDeleteI use old socks as dusters. They slip right over your hand and they're washable!
ReplyDeleteI look for "stash-busting" patterns to use up all the ends of skeins that I have sitting around. And when I really can't find a use for some leftover yarn, it makes great stuffing in knitted toys!
ReplyDeleteI bought some very nice wool yarn. I made 3 sweaters from it. I didn't like the first one. The second didn't fit well. The third was perfect, until it went out of style. Frogged and made hats for the homeless.
ReplyDeleteI shrink old cashmere sweaters and repurpose them into baby blankets. Since they are already preshrunk, they are easy care wash and dry and super soft and cozy. My grandkids love them
ReplyDeleteUnraveling an unwanted garment is most appealing.
ReplyDeleteI have collected several sweaters from rag stores and thrift stores that have provided wonderful yarn for new projects. Also found great buttons on coats or sweaters there. I have knit shawls, scarves, and bags from the reclaimed yarn and decorated them with the buttons.
ReplyDeleteI love reusing Talenti ice cream containers around the house and for packing my lunch!
ReplyDeleteI am going to recycle the sleeves from old cashmere and angora sweaters into leggings for my granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteI use all my old grocery plastic bags as bags for my small trash cans.
ReplyDeleteRecycling and repurposing are second-nature to me...been doing it all my life. And I'm old enough to remember the first Earth Day :)
ReplyDeleteI have tons of old t-shirts that I will be making yarn out of and will then decide what to make from there.
ReplyDeleteWe donate old sheets to a neighbor who weaves rag rugs.
ReplyDeletetktl on Ravelry
I have bought sweaters at thrift stores only to find that nobody liked the sweater (and it didn't fit me, I just really liked it) so I've pulled it apart to reuse the yarn. I also just found a video tutorial for making no-sew braided rugs from recycled material. Planning on making some of those as well. And that does double duty on Earth day as it's recycling as well as helping lower your heating by having rugs on the floor! :D
ReplyDeleteEarth day is every day. There's usually not much left of clothes once we are tired of it. We use worn out clothes for rags and give away clothes we don't need to charity. Old sheets get used for muslins or given to my mum who covers her garden with them at night in the fall when it gets frosty. I've unpicked and reworked yarn from a number of sweaters.
ReplyDeleteEarth Day as Anne Johnson said is every day for me. I love to look for other material at thrift stores . Worn tee shirts to knit head bands and old silk sweaters to knit market bags. Happy Earth Day
ReplyDeleteI don't have any up cycling tips but I do celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up my neighborhood--picking up trash, etc.
ReplyDeleteDo you love the yarn bowls but don't have one with a divet and don't want to be stuck with one bowl until done with a skein of yarn? Find yourself a binder clip. A binder clip will make anything a quick yarn bowl. You can detach one of the clips, pass your yarn through and then put it back together and clip it on the side of a bowl. Quick and easy.
ReplyDeleteWe re-use plastic containers as well as glass jars for everything including leftovers. We also don't toss old clothes - many are cut into rags to use instead of papertowels - very helpful with a house ful of fur babies :-)
ReplyDelete(BinaBKnits - Ravelry)
My favorite upcycling tip is to buy used! I buy most of my clothes and my kids clothes secondhand, it's cheaper and keeps at least a few things out the landfills.
ReplyDeleteI save our newspapers and place them in our gardens under mulch to keep the weeds down. They disintegrate into the soil over time and naturally go back to the earth.
ReplyDeleteWool sweaters (which - it turns out - I'm pretty good at felting!) make great re-usable shopping bags. A basic seamstress like myself can make a durable bag for even heavy loads. I hate to get rid of old favourites, so this gives them an extended life.
ReplyDeleteI save all the little bits of yarn that are left over after I finish weaving in and snipping the ends. I have a basket full of them! I use those scraps to stuff my knitted and crocheted toys, rather than using poly-fil.
ReplyDeleteI recycle at our local transfer station. I use reusable bags
ReplyDeleteI love going to thrift stores looking for wooly items to reuse. If the sweater can not be unravelled I cut out a mitten shape hand hand sew then for some toasty cheap mittens
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I would go garbage picking along our street for Earth Day - we'd get bags and bags of it. But we moved to the suburbs this year, and our new street is free of trash. So I guess my earth day project this year is knitting a sweater from reclaimed yarn.
ReplyDeleteone thing i have done to upcycle over the years is to cut up jeans and make them in to a quilt or a project bag. and of course i recycle "stuff" daily. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing to do to recycle is to find 100% wool sweaters at Goodwill, fell them and then make something out of them. I have made potholders, trivets, decorative flowers and purses.
ReplyDeleteI use old "thin" dishtowels and bathtowels to make small washcloths. I single crochet around the edge for baby bath cloths. They are thin and easy to get into those baby creases. I also use cut thin towels to pack for going on trips. They are just thrown away after use.
ReplyDeleteI always remember Earth Day as it is also my mom's birthday! I recycle much more since I moved to the west coast. Always bring back cans, bottles, and use only cloth bags for shopping. My tip I have used, is to go a second hand store and find a sweater, can have a stain as I only use the sleeves. Cut the sleeves off and they make instant leg warmers! Happy Earth Day every day!
ReplyDeleteI re use jars and cardboard boxes for storage containers in my panty and closets
ReplyDeleteParticipated in the first Earth Day by riding horses to school. Recycle by feeding grass clippings to horses and "droppings" for fertilizer. Not sure that's upcycling...
ReplyDeleteI love to felt old wool sweaters and use the fabric for all sorts of things... mittens are my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI recycle handknits I find at thrift stores ( and always scour for knitting stuff, it is amazing what people give away! ) I like to celebrate Earth Day by planting some spring flowers for the bees.
ReplyDeleteI use my used up water bottle to start my herbs or just simply use them to plant my patio plants!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any tips, but I celebrated earth day by Marching for Science!
ReplyDeleteI save all my yarn scraps for granny/mitered squares that will one day be a messy blanket!
ReplyDeleteI like to make make shopping totes out of old t shirts cut into strips.
ReplyDeleteI use felted dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.
ReplyDeleteI was just about to get rid of a well-loved sweater, so this is perfect timing! I can't wait to take it apart and use that yarn for something new and equally loved!
ReplyDeleterecycle and reuse - I use jars for storage - Member of freecycle. I also have started to collect plastic bags that folks are about to throw out and am going to knit messenger bags for all of my friends
ReplyDeleteI reuse unraveled yarn and always save the buttons from worn out clothing.
ReplyDeleteI have a few items that have lingered at the bottom of my drawer that were from when fashion was on the large size: the 80's. I've remade a summer cotton dress that originally had shoulder pads and voluminous long sleeves. It's now short cap sleeves, scoop neck and knee length. Also remade a sweatshirt with similar issues. Makes for a very satisfying activity.
ReplyDeleteI love going to thrift stores looking for wooly items to reuse. If the sweater can not be unravelled I cut out a mitten shape hand hand sew then for some toasty cheap mittens
ReplyDeleteThis is really a great idea❤️
DeleteYarn scraps make great 'stuffing' for small toys!
ReplyDeleteWe recycle plastic, glass and paper everyday. We monitor our electricity and try not to waste anything!
ReplyDeleteBack when i crocheted more than knitted I took an old sweater I was given that I didn't really like and made a scarf out of it. That was the first time I did that and now i look at my old sweaters a bit differently.
ReplyDeleteI recycle any garbage possible. We are fortunate to have a recycle service locally. I donate any clothing that has life and household goods that are no longer needed to the White Elephant, an organization run totally on volunteerism, who then donate back to the community in a big way. From my yarn stash, I knit scarves and hats to give to the homeless program while teaching a lesson to my grandchildren that not everyone is as fortunate as you to have a warm place to sleep and food to keep them from being hungry. We have bronze statues of each president of the USA on many street corners in our downtown area and At Christmas people hang the hats and scarves on the statues for homeless and poor to take. This coming Christmas will make the 3rd Christmas for Miss E (4) and the second for Mr. B. (2). Hoping to make this a tradition❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteEvery day is earth day in my household. I'm careful to buy only what I need and purchase in recyclable packaging. All of my food scraps get either composted or saved in the freezer for making broth. I turn off the water when brushing my teeth, and replaced my old toilets with new low flow models. I switched out my incandescent bulbs years ago and unplug un-needed items that continuously draw bits of electricity. I've been recycling over 30 years, long before it was available curbside. I repurpose old clothing if possible, or use as rags. I turn off my car engine when parked instead of idling. I could go on and on. I am a tree hugger at heart and really love earth day.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see a photo of a President with hat, etc, if you know if one online.
DeleteWould love to see a photo of a President with hat, etc, if you know if one online.
DeleteWe use fallen branches, old flower stems, and fallen leaves chipped together as mulch. Clothes that are outgrown are handed down to other children (grandchild grows out of clothes at about the same rate our friend's grandchild grows into them). We recycle our garbage for breakfast (before anyone gags, this means that we feed vegetable waste to our chickens). Now I have to try recycling some of my old sheets into rugs for my bathroom!
ReplyDeleteI try my best to be a responsible occupant of the earth every day. I recycle everything possible. I purposely fenced off a wetlands area of my pastures and left the natural barriers in place wherever possible. I don't use chemical fertilisers. I put up bluebird houses and use native plants for landscaping. I think we all need to do our bit to make the earth a better place.
ReplyDeleteI recycle anything I can everyday and then big things from our AC unit to our water heater- luckily that doesn't happen a lot!
ReplyDeleteWe try to upcycle as much as possible at my house. We compost and recycle, of course. I've purchased sweaters from thrift store and unraveled the yarn to use for other things. My daughter likes to collect my scrap yarn to put out for the birds. Just this past weekend we used old baby crib parts to make a raised vegetable garden in our yard.
ReplyDeleterav id slawson
I love the idea of unraveling an old garment (or hunting for one at Goodwill) and giving it new life!
ReplyDeleteIn our house we always recycle, in fact the recycle bin is fuller than the trash bin! Earth Day should be Every Day.
ReplyDeleteTo just unravel any project I don't love and use the yarn for something I do ❤️
ReplyDeleteI felted a pair of socks beyond rescue so I cut them them into sections, tucked in some catnip and sewed up the ends. Insta cat toy -- wool and catnip. I would love a set of fixed circulars!
ReplyDeleteI like to recycle yarn from old sweaters or projects that were never finished. And when all I have is tiny pieces, sometimes I substitute them for stuffing if I don't have any fiberfill on hand.
ReplyDeleteI love to try out new patterns, but sometimes the yarn isn't a good match. My dear hubby frogs them for me, rewinds them into neat cakes, and then I'm ready to try something else.
ReplyDeleteWalk to work instead of driving! We recycle everything we can, too.
ReplyDeleteFrogging older projects or projects that did not turn out as planned is my favorite recycle tip.
ReplyDeleteI like to work with felted wool, in addition to knitting with disassembled sweaters. I've made a wool 'hot pad' for setting glass containers in a pan of boiling water, this eliminates the need for a double boiler, & is a better size. I've also sewn balaclavas for my grandsons out of felted cashmere, & made water bottle cozys out of sleeves. Next will be wool dog beds!
ReplyDeleteWe reuse and recycle! We use water bottles instead of bottled water. We recycle plastic caps and plastic bottles separately. We use electronic filing to reduce paper (including e-copies of knitting patterns instead of printing them out). Every little bit helps.
ReplyDeleteI spent Earth Day connecting with nature first at my local botanical gardens and then on a hiking trail near the beach.
ReplyDeleteI like to re-use glass bottles by painting them and filling them with all kinds of things like candy, bath salts, home-made liquors to give as gifts.
My daughter and I "strip" men's button down jersey shirts and crochet them, buttons and all, into rugs.
ReplyDeleteI spent earth day marching for science.
ReplyDeleteWe recycle all our aluminum cans and put the money into grandchildren college fund.
ReplyDeleteUsed to make braided rugs out of wool skirts purchased from thrift stores. That is a lot of work!
ReplyDeleteI salvage fabric from worn out/no longer fitting clothes to use in patchwork. Darn knitted items that have holes. Repair rather than replace whenever possible.
ReplyDeleteNot really a tip but I love to take old jeans and turn them into quilts, aprons, and purses or shopping bags
ReplyDeleteI recicle everything possible. But in my knit worldI like to shop at use stores for knit sweaters soI could do new projects.
ReplyDeleteI re-purpose plastic bags (grocery bags, newspaper, bread to name I few) into plarn. I have made baskets, beach bags (perfect for wet towels and swimsuits). I also reuse the soda tabs on aluminum cans to make purses and jewelry.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tip is keep a reusable collapsible container in your bag for taking home restaurant leftovers. Keeps Styrofoam out of the landfill!
ReplyDeleteI repurpose just about any fabric for purses, children's dresses, new garments for me.
ReplyDeleteI cut holes in the side of a plastic bottle and attached it to my railing near the sidewalk. I keep it filled with old plastic bags. It's my good neighbor dog waste bag dispenser.
ReplyDeleteI unravel old sweaters to reuse the yarn, and repurpose buttons, zippers, cloth and handles from old clothing and tote bags to make new items.
ReplyDeleteWe have a big candle light party with friends every Earth Day and we do not use plastic and try to recycle as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteI wrap gifts with Japan's Furoshiki technique. I buy the vast majority of my fabric wraps at the thrift store. I never cease to be amazed at the number and variety of silk square scarves I can find in the local second hand store. They make very pretty and reusable gift wraps. Often the gift recipient reuses the wrap to jazz up an outfit.
ReplyDeleteI'm always on the lookout of what/how to recycle. Today I was crafting with friends, using stones and branches. I make flowers from zippers, taken from old items. In general, clothing is usually passed around in our family or to the needy. THANKS for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteKatedenyse from IG here. 😊 I take my old linens and make "yarn", save my yogurt cups to make my seeding pods for spring planting and use the suet containers as the drip holders, I always recycle more than the rolling bin will fit bi-weekly, and I have been using the dandilions to feed my pets instead of poisoning the ground. My degu, rats, mice, and hamsters enjoy the greens. I do not fertilize or use weed killer, but pull the weeds out of the driveway only because the landlord requires it, or she will spray. 🙁 These are just a few things I do to help the planet. 😙
ReplyDeleteI try to recycle/reuse in any way I can. Even worn bath towels can be cut into size (around any thin areas/holes), overcast the edges and used as washcloths. Love some of the ideas posted here and will be adding those to my list!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
When reclaiming wool sweaters, any scraps that can't be used to knit can be wound into balls and made into dryer balls! Absolutely no waste and great for your dryer and laundry!
ReplyDeleteI've been recycling everything I possibly can for well over 30 years now. In addition, I use cloth napkins and placemats to save paper. When towels start wearing, I use my serger to serge the ravelled edges and when a towel gets too worn to use, we cut it up for cleaning rags and/or swiffer cloths. For over 5 years, I knit all my leftover yarn scraps into a huge, queen-size blanket. Like a memory quilt, it reflects everything I've knit into our family life.
ReplyDeleteI recycle yarn all the time. Have made my own napkins and placemats, wash cloths, dish towel. As well as afghans for all sorts the heat can be turned lower.
ReplyDeleteI use old file folders and used heavy plastic items for craft projects!
ReplyDeleteMaybe not grand enough to be considered upcycling but I use small rubber hair elastics as stitch markers!
ReplyDeleteI use my own bags for all shopping, use glass containers, nontoxic cleaners and bring my drink container to my local coffee shop and upcycle fibers or donate to American Cancer Society Discovery Shop.On Ravelry I am she-smile.
ReplyDeleteI've been collecting old sheets and pillow cases (you know, the ones with the thin spot) and hording them away until I have enough to rip into strips to knit a bath mat out of them. I think they'll make a soft and absorbent mat.
ReplyDeleteI celebrate Earth Day.I and my son plan new trees to our garden and clean from plastic bottles the forest where we live.Also I use recycles from my kitchen and collect some leaves ,flowers, pine needles etc in order to built my own compost.
ReplyDeleteWe try to do our best to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as we can. Egg cartons go to a local farm, kitchen waste goes to compost bin, use our own bags for shopping, use cardboard in the garden instead of landscape fabric and so on.
ReplyDeleteI'm Loves2Dance on Ravelry.
We haven't been able to eliminate all plastic bags for food storage (my spouse loves them) so I just bought wood spiral thing for drying plastic bags. It looks beautiful on the counter and bags dry so much faster than propped on the dish drainer.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't been able to eliminate all plastic bags for food storage (my spouse loves them) so I just bought wood spiral thing for drying plastic bags. It looks beautiful on the counter and bags dry so much faster than propped on the dish drainer.
ReplyDelete