recycled sweaters

Sewing with a 5 year old- Sweater Snake 2.0

October 14, 2010 | Also posted in Topic: craft, Featured Craft, Personal

I just had to share this with you guys. Way back in 2007 (near the start of Dabbled, actually!) I made a sweater snake for The Boy. Now it was an early project, and in retrospect I probably could have done better in my choice of materials — or maybe it’s the fact that it’s lived for the past 4 years with a little boy — but was getting holes in it. The 5 year old has been bugging me to “fix the snake”, so when he was off from school the other day, I told him I’d let… Read on...

Make Quick Mittens

November 30, 2009 | Also posted in Topic: craft, Guest, Tutorials/Tips

Hi! I’m Heather from Dollar Store Crafts, a daily blog devoted to making cool crafts with dollar store stuff. I’m so excited to be swapping holiday posts with Dot! Do you love felted sweaters as much as I do? Felted (or technically, “fulled”) sweaters are made from animal hair-based yarn (like wool, alpaca or cashmere), and washed in hot water and dried in the dryer until they shrink up and the fibers are fused together (kind of like dreadlocks on a micro scale). Once a wool sweater is felted, the fabric can be cut and it… Read on...

Crafty: Make Monster Puppets (A Dabbled Re-run)

May 12, 2009 | Also posted in Topic: Uncategorized

Dot’s behind on everything this week, so today you’re treated to a re-run of a recent project you might have missed. If you didn’t miss it, just revel in the cuteness again! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Here is a fun and creative project to do, either for your kids or with your kids… Silly monster puppets made out of old sweaters. Alternate option, you can stuff and sew up the bottom of these for fun monster pillows!

Behold! The Flying Purple People Eater and the Fluffy-head –>

… Read on...

How to Make Silly Sweater Monster Puppets

April 28, 2009 | Also posted in Topic: craft, Featured Craft

My friend Holly and I had craft night the other night, and this time the assignment was puppets! I brought a stash of sweaters and other goodies I had over, and we set to creating. No pattern, no plans, these are a great way to have fun and get creative. And when we were done, the boys had some fun monster puppets to play with. This would be a great project to do with friends for your own craft night, or to make with kids.

Behold! The Flying Purple People Eater

… Read on...

Tutorial – Make a Stacked Felt Pin – A clever Valentine!

February 10, 2009 | Also posted in Topic: craft, Featured Craft, Tutorials/Tips

Here is a fun and quick project, suitable for valentines or spring. Wouldn’t this be cute for a little girl to make for valentines for her friends? Or stack bolder flowers without the heart and make a fun funky adult brooch. The technique is quite simple, and it’s a great thing to do with felted sweater scraps (though of course you could use store bought felt if you wish). I had planned to do an appliqued shirt (like the elephant onesie), but decided a pin was more fun, versatile, and won’t… Read on...

Last Minute Gifts – How to Make Picture Frame Ornaments

December 23, 2008 | Also posted in Topic: craft, Featured Craft, Tutorials/Tips

My friend Holly and I had a little crafting party the other night while our husbands were out getting into trouble. We decided to make some cute little picture frame ornaments, using felted sweater scraps, scrap plastic, and pictures (small school pics work well for these)! These would make great little gifts for teachers, grandparents, aunts, or whoever loves your little one. Older kids can make these themselves too! We documented the process, so here it is. You’ll see both of the prototype ornaments we made in the… Read on...

Sweater Snake Redux

December 22, 2008 | Also posted in Topic: craft

The very talented Colleen of Some Art Fabric Talk has done an adorable version of a sweater snake inspired by mine (posted previously here).
Oh, and check out her blog, she has great stuff all the time. (I love these ornaments!) Related: All Recycled Sweater projects In other news:
If you missed it, Friday’s Holiday Inspiration Links .. and
A few quick fun & silly Xmas links for you today:
-Chrismukkah Decoration Set at Superpunch
-Most unusual Christmas Trees at Neatorama
-Light up the Christmas Tree Puzzle
-Santa Don’t Miss or Else Game

Homemade Christmas for Kids: Sweater Snake

December 6, 2008 | Also posted in Topic: craft, Featured Craft

Super Sweater Snake! – More DIY How To Projects I made this — one of my first recycled sweater projects — for The Boy last year. I can attest that he totally loves it still. All the details are at the Instructable embedded above, or click here.

Elephant Purse HOW TO

November 16, 2008 | Also posted in Topic: craft, Featured Craft, Tutorials/Tips

Dot had a great time at a mystery party last night, so today you are treated to a re-run of one of Dabbled’s popular projects! How to make a cute little elephant purse by recycling old sweaters.. I did this as a Christmas gift last year. It’s simple to make, cheap, and was much loved by the recipients. This is my own design, and I encourage you to try it yourself and add your own spin! Related posts:
Another version of the Ele-purse. (This one is sturdier and more colorful).
See… Read on...

A Dabbled Re-run – Henri the Hexapus Tutorial

October 11, 2008 | Also posted in Topic: Uncategorized

While Dot is off remembering why she thinks ‘roughing it’ is a hotel without room service, you get a repeat of a project you might have missed! Henri is a fun little puppet made out of recycled sweater sleeves – more on Henri here.. If you liked the hand drawn tutorial for the Monster Wreath, you might like this too!
Click through to see/download the full size instructions. Materials needed:
Two coordinating sweaters, felted. 1 sleeve from each.
Felt for eyes
Buttons (if you’re up for the fun of… Read on...