Funny story: My husband has been talking about getting a plain black sweater that zips up in the front. I started looking for one, and came to the realization that pullovers are much less expensive. I asked my Plurk buddies if anyone had ever taken a commercially made sweater, steaked it, and made it into a cardigan. Well the answer was YES. Not 2 minutes later I get my daily email from Knitting Daily on the same subject. Well, not totally, but it talks about using a sewing machine to finish hand knit projects.
I find it interesting that more knitters don’t think of this. I think when a lot of us knit, we think about knitting a garment, or the entire piece as a whole, rather than what it really is – FABRIC. We just so happen to create the fabric in such a way that it creates an entire piece not just a giant swatch… which when you think about it is exactly what a yard of knit fabric is when you buy it from the store. You wouldn’t think twice about cutting a piece of knit fabric you got from Mood or Jo-Ann to make a t-shirt or dress, why should it be any different for something say a sweater?
For an excelent introduction to using machine sewing with hand knits, check out Machine Sewing and Knitting? Yes! – Knitting Daily – Knitting Daily.
I agree! Ha! Same goes with handwoven fabric. So many of the patterns for handwoven fabrics are so boxy. I understand no one wants to cut or waste what they have woven…but it sure is not much of a fashion statement!
I’m going to start off picking up a sweater from Good Will and see about putting in a zipper. One of my Plurk friends actually uses commercial sweaters when she teaches steaking, and not only with zippers, but she said she’ll actually put in button bands. I think it’s a great way to update a sweater.