Such great satisfaction I get from giving new life to something that was disposed of. I found this sweater at the thrift store and loved the look of the wool. I took it home and decided to make it into something new. Above are photos of some of the steps it took me to get to my final product.
In the American culture we seem to buy far more then we actually need. Things are no longer made to last and many people purchase items based on there slim price rather then quality. It leaves our country full of poorly made junk that then fills our thrift stores and dumps. But once in awhile you thrift and find a real gem. I've been collecting from thrift stores since I was a teenager. I look for vintage. I figure if I find something 50 years old I'm sure it will last another 50+ years. I think it's so important to invest in pieces of clothing and other belongings that will have longevity. I believe our culture needs to be more aware of what we buy and who makes it. The incredibly poor wages and work environments of many employed by international clothing manufactures are absolutely heartbreaking. This is something that many people are completely unaware of. But that's a whole different issue for another post. Let's get back to knitting...
The process of reusing wool and knitting is very time consuming. Because of the time that goes into it I am naturally inclined to take better care of my handmade items. It gives it them much value. I hope to continue to hone my clothing construction skills so that I will one day be nearly self sufficient in my own wardrobe and the wardrobes of the children I dream of having. I have a long way to go but I know it can be done.
