Recycled Sweaters

I am currently working on this piece to sell (I Hope, although, I don’t know if I can part with it!). In its former life it was a Brooks Brothers sweater that I could no longer wear (I hope because it shrank and not because I have had two children!).

So, I threw it in the washing machine in a pillowcase while doing a load of whites (I don’t want to waste water in my craftiness) to full it. Next, I took scissors to the shrunken sweater and reconstructed it into a bag. I embellished the bag with a needle-felted pattern that is my take on a cross-section of an egg. I found these vibrant orange purse handles at Britex Fabrics in San Francisco that I think will work perfectly. It took me months to find the right handles. When you spend so much time to make an item unique you must be willing to spend the time finding the right accoutrements for it, right? (Or maybe it is just a good excuse for my procrastination?)
Anyway, I am waiting for the weather to cool (Will it ever? I think it was 85 degrees today out here in the Sierra Foothills) and I can start felting again. I am not sure why, but felting seems like such a fall and winter craft. I have a bunch of felt beads that I am also trying to finish to add to jewelry and hairclip pieces. All summer long, I have had a pile of thrifted wool sweaters sitting in my laundry closet. Now, I can finally get to work and revamp these holey sweaters into purses. So, c’mon autumn weather – I am waiting!