Anybody recycle yarn?

Hi all! I have just found a new pasttime that is saving me tons of money and helping me with my knitting!! I have started recycling yarn from sweaters bought at thrift stores - I take apart the sweater (mostly wool, but I buy chenielle, too), wash the yarn, and then knit it up into something else! This weekend I bought over 50 sweaters and only spent $42. If I were to buy the wool at a store, enough for 50 sweaters, I would have probably spent $800 - $1000 easily! Of course, I lose a little bit of yarn in the process, but I look for large sweaters with lots of cables (more yarn to make a cable). If I don't like the color, I just dye the yarn to a color I like. Also, with the smaller amounts of wool that I have leftover, I have been felting purses and hats. Are there any other "recyclers" out there? Darla

Hi Darla. I have never even thought about doing this! How clever you are! I have heard about felting purses and hats. You must really enjoy the whole experience. Do keep posting here because I'm sure you are full of lots of good ideas. I belong to a group called Scissor Sisters. I think I'll share your ideas with them. Thanks! Peg

I just picked up a vintage Singer knitting machine yesterday and am anxiously waiting to set it up! That makes 4 machines for me - all except the Bond Ultimate Sweater Machine are old machines (the Singer is one of the first card punch machines ever made back in the 60's and uses batteries instead of a plug!). With my recycled yarn that is beginning to pile up, I will be making many hats, scarves, and socks to keep me busy selling my "after Christmas goodies"!!! Darla

I forgot to add, I found this great website that tells you what to look for and how to take apart the sweaters - as well as washing your yarn and dying it to the colors you want: http://www.neauveau.com Check it out - it's great! Darla

Darla, I never thought of recycling yarn like that! When I saw the title of the post, my first thought was using leftover yarn and tying it together! LOL But that is a great idea! I bookmarled the link you posted, and if I can get DH to agree to it, maybe I will check out some thrift shops! Thanks for the idea! Steph

Steph, It is so relaxing to sit in front of the TV and take apart a sweater. I am the type that if I'm not doing something while watching TV, I am wasting my time! And, you can save so much money when recycling - I can make a couple of pairs of socks out of a men's wool sweater and it would only cost me a couple of bucks instead of $20-$30! Darla

That is so AWESOME!!! Again, I just gotta get hubby motivated! LOL..........HEY, maybe I can get my sisters & mom motivated too! .......hmmmmmm.....Mom has a St. Vincent DePaul (sorta like Salvation Army stores, if you are not familiar with it) in her area.....sometimes they ahve some nice sweaters there.......Again, thanks for the ideas! Steph