Make your own scrubbies and 15 other things to do with a shrunken sweater

We have all done it, made the mistake of washing our favorite wool sweater in hot water... whoops!
You don't want to throw it away and yet you will find it isn't very comfortable to wear any longer; fortunately, there are many ways it can still go to good use. The coolest thing about felted fabric is the fact that is will not fray, this makes any project you choose that much easier.

Make Your Own Scrubbies

If it is nice thick wool, cut it up into 4x6 squares and you can get a years supply of scrubbies for you and your whole family. Since I have learned this trick, these are the only kind I use; they are the perfect balance between a sponge and scrubby. I use these for everything from cleaning my dishes to polishing silver (I use toothpaste, works wonderfully). To make this even cooler, as long as there are no synthetic fibers, once they start to fall apart you can compost them.

Make a scarf

I found a shrunken cashmere sweater at the thrift store for a buck. I took it home, cut it into strips and sewed them together end to end. Now I have the longest, warmest, softest and most comfortable scarf ever.

Matching Hat and Mittens

If the sweater is made of something soft like angora or cashmere, this fabric will make a wonderful, warm, itch free hat and since it is felted the wind can't get through.

Coasters and Hot Pads

Just cut out circles and squares; if you want to make them pretty, sew around the edges with embroidery thread and stitch on cute patches made from the scraps.

Make a Purse

Look for a pattern you like and stitch it together; use the scraps to make embellishments.

Super Warm Wool Blanket

If you have several ruined sweaters, cut them into squares and rectangles to make a blanket. I did this to make a small blanket; my friends saw what I was doing and the next thing I knew I had enough sweaters to make a huge blanket.

Tea Cozy

Keep the water in the tea pot warm while also protecting it from dust and cooking oil.

Java Jackets

Cut off the cuff of the sweater to make an awesome coffee sleeve.

Beer Cozy

Cut out a rectangle and a circle, then sew them together into a cylinder. This will be excellent for absorbing the condensation.

Stuffing

Cut the scraps up into little chunks and use it to stuff toys and pillows.

Pin Cushion

Use it to make and stuff a pin cushion. The tight felted wool is excellent for holding the pins and the wool will help to keep your needles sharp. You can also save your own hair clippings for a stuffing that sharpens.

Bath Rug

There are many ways to do this.

Cut it apart at the seams and then cut the pieces into giant spirals, then sew the ends together to make one long strand that you can crochet or knit. Cutting it into a spiral will give the finished product a really cool texture.

Cut it up into different shapes, then sew them together in any way you find interesting.

Stuffed Animals

Here is an awesome tutorial for making cashmere bunnies.

Boots and Slippers

Here is a page of links to really cool patterns for boots and slippers made from old sweaters.

Ipod or Phone Sleeve

Cut off the cuff of the sweater to use as a cozy sleeve for your ipod or phone. Don't forget to stitch one end closed so it doesn't fall out; while you are at it sew on a cute button as a closure.

Leg Warmers

Cut off the arms to make warm snow proof leg warmers.