I'm starting the New Year with a Refashion Friday post that is about a refashion of a refashion. Or a remake of a remake if you prefer. And you can't get much more recycled than that!
Maybes you recall I got on the mitten-making tip last Winter, during which time I made myself some fabulous double-thickness leopard print mittens from old, unwanted knitwear. They were in almost constant use during the cold periods from then until now, and were literally the only way I could keep my chilly hands warm whilst outside. Well, as you can see from the pictured above, their intense usage took its toll: the finger tip areas have become super-thin with the lining popping through a hole in one thumb, and another hole appearing along the seam of the palm of the other hand.
I love the leopard print, and knew that I no longer have any pieces of knitwear quite as 'me', plus I'm out of cashmere, which I use to line them. Some salvaging was going to have to occur to create myself a new pair, and of course why chuck something out completely if it still has some life left in it? I unpicked them and retained the back panels which are still in good shape and hole-free and the linings, which are still soft and pleasingly moulded to the shape of my hands.
I cut the new palm pieces from the old leopard print back pieces, and cut the other two new outer pieces from a moth-eaten ruby-red jumper donated to me by a friend. Before cutting up the red wool jumper, I chucked it in the wash when I was doing a red load so that it would matt up a little and therefore be more durable and wind-resistant. The cuffs are created from the cuff ribbing of the original jumper.
I reused my former mitten's purple linings, which creates a weird sensation: when worn, the new mittens feel exactly the same as my previous pair, but when I look down they look different! I wonder if I can pull this trick again next year; if the linings will still re usable and if I can cut the palm pieces from the red back pieces and find something new and contrasty to form the rest of them.
15 comments:
Great post to launch 2013's refashions Zoe! They look so cosy and stylish and how great that they still feel like old friends- I guess that's the joy of refashioning !!
Zoe, these are so great I think you are going to have to release a pattern!
Inspiring & thrift! Great combination!
These are so cute Zoe! Happy new year, I can't wait to see your creations this year :)
I absolutely love your 'new' mittens!
I love them! Now I want to try and make me some mittens!!
What a great idea!! I love the red and leopard :)
I really like these - I remembered them from last year, and I'm actually saving a favorite, moth-eaten sweater to make my own. The pattern doesn't seem to be available anymore, but maybe I can muslin my way to my own...
Fantastic refashion! I love your mittens.
Would you consider releasing your mitten pattern to us poor slobs? I made 4 pair of knickers with your pants pattern this week. Not sure how they fit yet, but I'm sure they will be awesome. (must wash questionable stash/scrappy fabrics first)
Happy New Year!
--Margaret
This was so inspiring, I jumped right in and knitted me a pair of cosy mittens in gorgeous left over wool and lined them with material gathered from an old out-worn cardigan. I just used the sleeves and cut out to match the shape of the mittens, ran them through the overlocker and inserted them in the knitted mittens and hand stitched at the bottom. I am very happy!
Love these even more than the first pair. I like the way the leopard print is kinda sneaky. Palms down = simple red mittens. Palms up = ta daaaaah!
Px
oooh these mittens are so cute!!! I have to try it.
What a great idea! I love how bright your new-old mittens are!
Brilliant in philosophy, execution, abducted result! Love them!
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