Upcycled luxury knitting

I got to put my feet up for this foto shoot!

I didn't get to keep the socks though. They were a Christmas gift for my dear grandmother-in-law. The socks are fantastic though. I loved them the 5 minutes I wore them to take the photos. They are pure cashmere. Recycled! Yes, I bought the wonderful yarn on ebay from one of the sellers there who painstakingly unwinds sweaters to harvest the yarn.

This is the third time I have bought yarn this way, and yes it does come a bit kinky. However, each time I have made wonderfully soft and beautiful things from the upcycled yarns for just a fraction of the cost of what it would have cost to buy the yarn new. I didn't even steam these socks and they came out lookiong nicely I think. The pattern is from the really marvelous book: Favorite Socks, by Ann Budd and Anne Merrow.

The pattern was so simple and fun to do. It is definitely one I would like to make again.

Meanwhile I have another project to work on. Here is another upcycled yarn, this time merino and angora. The halo around it is so nice as is its feel, pure softness. I will be making some super fast and simple socks for my little one who really does't like to wear socks very much. Hopefully this pair will persuade her that socks can be a good thing.

Comments

[Sew Create It - Jane]

Beautiful socks...they look comfortable!

[Petra]

They are so beautiful!

[Jacqueline]

I adore your gorgeous socks and the wonderful color!! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!

[heleen]

Lovely socks, they look warm and soft!

[jealousydesign]

The socks looks so warm and are beautiful!

[Halfway Crafter]

I love the pattern in the socks, and I love that they are upcycled. So much patience to wind that wool again!

[Tizzalicious]

They look so warm and comfy! Pretty, too!

[blackbird]

What pretty socks and it's good that you had a chance to test-walk them.

I love the idea of selling the yarn that has been unraveled from sweaters- I had never heard of that. I have unraveled loads of my own sweaters though. Sometimes the yarn has to be knit a few times before it finds its best purpose.

[Michele C]

Those are so beautiful! I think I am going to have to knit soon and get over my tight gauge. I'm feeling so left out on the handmade knits area of crafting.
-- michele

[Maureen]

Such pretty socks you made, and the shade of blue is so soothing.
Maureen

[Tayla B]

They look comfy! I'm still a beginner at knitting. I haven't made socks yet but I hope to get good enough to put some together soon!

[gretchen/juneatnoon]

These are beautiful! I've only attempted one pair of very thick, chunky socks for a man, but one of these days I'd love to try some daintier socks for myself. You've inspired me to bump that up on my to-do list a bit. :) (I love the idea of upcycled yarn, too. I hadn't considered that before.)

[Chara Michele]

So lovely and what a great idea to use upcycled yarn!

[Emily Moss]

Hi Gretchen!

Thanks for the appreciation of my socks! They are barely more difficult than the chuncky ones you have already made! Seriously! Wish you lived nearby I would show you how.

One of my favorite things to hear is that I might have somehow inspired someone to make something! Thanks for telling me!

I am really happy with the upcycled yarns I have bought. One I bought was lace weight, super fine, I just trippled it to make it thick enough for the projects I wanted to make.

Happy creataive day to you!
Warmly, Emily

[Emily Moss]

Hi Tayla,

Socks are a great project because you learn so many things and they dont take terribly long to complete! I hope you will give it a try soon!

Thanks so much for dropping by and writing me such a nice note. I do love to get encouraging mail!!!!

Wishing you a most delightful day!

Warmest wishes from Emily

[Hege]

Beautiful socks!
And the yarn looks very soft, hope she'll like the socks you'll knit her ;)

[Emily Moss]

Dear Maureen,

Thank you so much for visiting my little blog and for taking the time to write me too! I dearly love to get mail!

I have more of the blue yarn and I just might make myself a pair of these socks or maybe a pair for my little 4 year old. There just isnt enough time in a day for all the projects I have lined up!

Happy day to you!
Warmly, Emily

[Emily Moss]

Hi Michele,

Happy New Year to you dear friend! I hope things are going well for you this January that you are keeping warm and busy! Things are good here, although it is bitterly cold. I just love staying indoors and only go out when it is completely necessary. Although yesterday when temps rose to -8 it felt balmy! :D

So you are a tight knitter too? I knit slightly on the tight side too, especially when I am doing anything with cables. I can vary my tension quite a bit so I have to watch that.

I havent really been knitting lots the past weeks, doing more sewing. I am loving sewing at the moment... :)

Today my hubby is home sick from work. He is sleeping. He loves to sleep and would sleep until noon every day if he could. I hope he will bounce back fast, he is feeling pretty lousy now. I have a few sniffles but nothing too bad. I hope to avoid a cold.

Hope you have a great day!
Hugs from Emily

[Emily Moss]

Hello!

Delightful to hear from you and thank you so much for visiting!

How neat to hear that you have unraveled several sweaters! I must admit that I have never tried myself. I considered unraveling the latest sweater I made myself as it doesnt fit exactly right. I found out though that it fits well enough. It is very warm and comfortable. (just doesnt look exactly as I had wanted.)

I hope you have a lovely day!
Warmly, Emily

[Merruli]

I love the socks, I love the pattern and definitely the idea of upcycling yarn. The Favorite Socks book is so good, so far I have borrowed it from library, but I really think I should buy a copy of my own. A great day to you too!

[kaylovesvintage]

they look so pretty & warm
well done

[Julie]

Love the socks! It looks like a fun pattern to knit!

[Jamie]

Oh I love cashmere! Never thought to look on eBay for upcycled though. Thanks for the tip.

[BethAnn]

Those socks are just gorgeous. i love them. Love the color, love the patterns and love the pics.

[Tina]

beautiful.

[Beth]

They are just luscious! Beth

[Jean C.]

What a coincidense that you should buy recycled yarn.... just read a blog I go to a lot... and the gal was talking about her son's friend who makes this cute hats with recycled yarn! She goes to thrift shops and buys sweaters and does just the same thing.
Here's the site! You'll love her stuff... Allie does beautiful crazy quilts!
http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
check her out!
You are the knitting queen! So busy... good for you! Can't believe how big your kids are getting!
Well... off to bed... up early tomorrow!

[Jean C.]

Too Funny! Just looked at your sites list on your blog and you've already got Allies blog addie! Well if you haven't seen it lately go see what she is up too! And the hats her son's friend makes too funny!

[sofy]

what a good idea:) and the socks look just great!

[maureen]

I LOVE the blue socks....beautiful color!

X Maureen

[Erin]

So glad you talked about usin gupcycled yarn! I sell it on etsy, too. It's a booming business really. And I never have to buy yarn, because I have these amazing hanks of merino wool and cashmere all over the place!

[Mildawg]

They are so beautiful! And what a great way to purchase yarn.

[Emily Moss]

Hi Erin!

Nice to hear from you! I will have to visit your shop! I think it is great that people recycle yarn this way! I would never be able to afford cashmere yarn otherwise!

Happy recycling and happy knitting!