When it comes to wardrobes, there’s nothing worse than having a ton of clothes but nothing to wear. Well, that’s almost as bad as having tons of clothes but only wearing the same few pieces over and over again. In either case, there has to be a reason why so many outfits never make the cut. Perhaps some DIY love is all that’s standing between you and all those clothes begging to be worn.
It’s time to give those unloved items in your wardrobe a second chance, so grab some supplies and brush up on how to crochet because your unworn clothes are about to get a lot more exciting.
What You Will Need
Before we can get started on how to upcycle those currently redundant clothes, there are some cost friendly supplies that need to be gathered. To keep this fun and simple, the supplies you will need are:
- Yarn (pick a couple different colors)
- Knitting needle
- Scissors
After you have your supplies, pick a couple things to upcycle into your new favorite wardrobe pieces. To play it safe, start with something that you won’t be upset to lose so you can brush up on your DIY skills.
Ideas for What to Upcycle
Now that you have the necessary supplies and you’re ready to create some magic, it’s time to decide what to upcycle first. As you scan your wardrobe, some great ideas for pieces to pick to work with are:
- Denim (like a jacket or jeans)
- Solid color shirts
- Cloth accessories (like a baseball cap)
For anyone new to sewing and crocheting, start with something light and easy to work with like a t-shirt. Materials like denim are a lot thicker and will take some more effort to work with. Afterall, starting with something made of a lighter material is the best way to see the project through to completion.
Upcycling Shirts with Yarn
Choosing a shirt that’s a solid color is better than one with a pattern or graphic print, because your upcycling efforts will pop instead of getting lost in an already busy shirt. To get started, pick what color yarn you want to work with and then decide what DIY embellishing to try, such as:
- A word or slogan on the left side chest section (like ‘love’ or ‘good vibes only’)
- Simple stars or lazy daisies all over the shirt
- Stitch a peek-a-boo dog outline at the bottom of the shirt
The options are endless, so get creative and stitch something simple that will easily transform that shirt into a new piece you can’t wait to wear.
Upcycling Denim with Yarn
Denim takes some effort, but the result will be worth it! Make jeans new again by using yarn to outline the back or front pockets. Try different embroidery stitches, such as:
- Blanket stitch
- Buttonhole stitch
- Feather stitch
Kick it up a notch with two different yarn colors and alternate to create a pattern. Now have fun and start upcycling your wardrobe with yarn today!
