FO: Rescuing a Moth-Eaten Sweater!

It's not a knitting FO, but I'm super pleased with how this turned out:

Remember the sad tragedy of my cashmere sweaters, all chewed up with holes? Since they were already ruined, I figured I'd at least try to rescue them.

And it worked! I picked out 5 colours of cotton embroidery thread, and just free-styled. I started with the larger patch on the bust- that's where the biggest hole was. I darned the hole shut, and then began working irregular shapes in different colours over it. I then used pairings of 2 colours at a time to cover up any of the smaller existing holes.

Once that part was done, I looked at the sweater and figured out where else I'd like a little tiny bit of colour, to balance out the 'design' and make it seem intentional, like it came from Anthropologie or something.

I like the amount of colour I ended up with- it feels like just the right amount, especially with the stripes. Once cashmere sweater saved, Another two to go!

Cashmere Sweater Upcycle: Stage One

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback on what to do to help with the moths. I've got a system of rotating freezing going on, and some moth traps, as well as Irish spring soap and lavender oil, and as soon as I get my hands on some cedar planks, I'll be adding that to the mix, too.

After the horror of finding all three of my cashmere sweaters chewed by moths, I wanted to set about finding a way to upcycle them somehow. I cruised my pinterest fashion upcycle board for ideas, and really fell in love with the idea of embroidering on sweaters- as seen here, here, and here.  I used to love doing cross stitch when I was a kid, and still have loads of embroidery floss- so I got out my stash and started working on one of the sweaters (I'm starting on the least expensive sweaters first, work. Here is the progress so far:

I'm aiming for a  sort of abstract/geometric kind of thing. I think it's actually working out! Which is good, because I needed a bit of cheering up. Guy and I were excavating Lila's closet, to see if there were moths in there, and we found my old beloved Turkish carpet chewed to bits, and teeming with larvae. The carpet was the only one I bought myself (in the Grand Bazaar, no less!) when living in Istanbul many years ago, and it was really expensive for me. Even though we weren't using it at the moment, I was utterly heartbroken when we unrolled it in the bathtub and saw how bad the damage was. It had to be thrown out. I cried, and then had some wine. It was the only thing to do, really.

New Yarn!!!

I got my yarn for the Central Park Hoodie!
Knit Picks Peruvian wool in 'Cranberry'. Love it. The colour is exactly what I wanted-- a deep, lipstick-red. Perfect. I was so excited, that after I swatched for gauge (and went up a size on my needles, so good thing I checked!), I started on the back.

I'm pretty excited about this project, and thanks again to Carrieoke for the inspiration!

Next up in today's yarn porn, we have something I've been coveting for a while:
Oh yeah, baby. That's 800 yards of 100% cashmere. So soft, I have to stop myself from constantly fondling it. So soft, I'm contemplating knitting myself cashmere sheets, I need to be surrounded in this bliss. Nothing is softer- not babies bottoms, not fluffy kittens, nothing. Since knitted cashmere sheets are not going to happen, I was thinking of something to sleep in made from this lovely pale pink softness. I'm still trying to decide between a camisole and short set, or a lovely and lacy short nightgown, with tiny, delicate straps. It's a shame I sleep alone, I tell ya!