Amazing sweater-into-infinity scarf-tutorial

Amazing sweater-into-infinity scarf-tutorial

• 12.07.2010

You maybe have seen several of my sweater makeovers on here recently.  What can I say?  It's cold out and I have a pretty good collection of nice sweaters that don't fit or have anything interesting going on.  But here's a sweater upcycle and tutorial that's totally different!

I got this 100% angora several years old Banana Republic sweater at Goodwill Outlet once.  It had been shrunken a little (originally a large), and was for craft purposes only--it was soooooo soft I couldn't pass it up.

I thought about doing several things with it, but in the end I really wanted to make it into a scarf, one where all my raw edges were hidden and only the soft outside showed.  I have seen "infinity scarves" before that are a  jersey knit on the back side and a lovely silk or something on the front, and of course when you wear it they cross a little.  I thought about doing that with this sweater and a tee I had in my pile, but I ended up having enough of just the little sweater!  You probably will, too.

Check out the tutorial to do it yourself!

• Begin by carefully cutting up the sweater, along the seams first.  You want to save the maximum sweater in the biggest pieces possible.  You'll get a lot out of the sleeves, too!

• Once you cut free the sleeves and torso,  you can decide on the width of the panels.  On mine, the majority of the sleeve pieces was about the width of half of the torso, so I was able to cut the front and back bodice pieces in half lengthwise.

• Now, cut off the excess and funny-shaped pieces on the ends of your panels (neckline/collar, etc.).

• Next you'll sew almost all the pieces together on the short ends, right sides together. Make two scarf-shaped pieces, symmetrical, rather than a loooooong piece.

• Press the seams flat as much as you can, being careful of the fiber content.

• Now, you'll sew the long seams--sew together your two long scarf-like pieces.

• As much as you can, press the long seams flat.

• Turn the long tube right side out.
• Now, carefully sew (right sides together) the ends together, leaving a small opening.

• Press that seam open as much as you can.

• With a needle and matching thread, whip-stitch the opening closed.

Yay!  All done!

This thing is soooo cozy and super soft!  What a great use for a cashmere or other really nice fiber sweater, that doesn't have a flattering shape or doesn't fit you.

There are a few different ways to wear it, too!

My first infinity scarf project!!  I'm loving it.