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The Beauty of Recycled & Repurposed Fibers
Fellow Knitters, let’s talk about sustainability in our craft! Have you ever unraveled an old sweater to reuse the yarn? Or maybe you’ve worked with yarn made entirely from recycled materials? If not, you’re in for a treat!
Unraveling & Reusing Yarn
One of the most rewarding ways to repurpose yarn is by unraveling old knitwear. Whether it’s a thrifted sweater or a forgotten project, reclaiming yarn gives it a second chance at becoming something beautiful. Start by looking for hand-knit items rather than machine-knit, as they unravel more easily. Locate the seams and gently cut the thread holding them together.
Once you’ve separated the sweater’s panels (or the individual pieces of knitwear), locate the end of the yarn and start gently pulling it apart, unraveling stitch by stitch. To keep things organized, you’ll want to wind the yarn as you go.
Gently wind the yarn into large loops around your forearm or between two stable objects (like chair backs). Tie loose loops of yarn around the skein in several places to prevent tangling. This method is ideal if you plan to wash and relax the yarn before reusing it. If the yarn looks kinked from its previous life, soaking it in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes and letting it dry completely will help restore its original texture.
Repurposing yarn is not only eco-friendly but also budget-friendly!
Recycled Yarns: Meet Berroco Remix
If unraveling isn’t your thing, you can still embrace sustainability with Berroco Remix, a yarn made from 100% recycled fibers. Available in worsted, light, and chunky weights, Remix is a wool-free blend of nylon, cotton, acrylic, silk, and linen. It’s machine washable, soft, and perfect for all-season projects.
Why choose recycled yarn?
- Eco-conscious – Keeps textile waste out of landfills.
- Soft & durable – Remix offers a tweedy texture without the itch of wool.
- Versatile – Great for garments, accessories, and home décor.
Win a Remix Yarn Bundle!
We want to celebrate sustainable crafting with a giveaway! Have you ever unraveled an old sweater to reuse the yarn? Found the perfect recycled fiber for a new project? Or maybe you have a dream project in mind using Berroco Remix?
Leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win a Remix Yarn bundle (valued at $145). Don’t forget to include your email so we can contact you if you are the winner; your email will not be published.
The bundle includes:
- 10 balls of Berroco Remix yarn (100% recycled fibers)
- 1 Berroco Remix pattern booklet
- 1 Berroco sticker
A random commenter will be selected on June 13—so don’t miss out! (June 16, 2025 edit: We’ve drawn a winner! Congratulations to Diane Johnson – we’ve reached out to send you your prize!)
I would love to try the remix yarn 🧶
I have not done this yet, but I am very curious about it an am on the lookout for a perfect item to rescue and unravel!
Yes, I have used Berroco Remix yarn, and I enjoyed knitting a nice warm shawl. Thank You
We learned about remix at the jimmy bean retreat a few weeks ago! Fantastic product and knits up so nicely!
I have not unraveled an item but would like to.
I’ve seen Remix at my local yarn shop and have wanted to work with it. I would make… maybe a Shapely Boyfriend or a Harvest cardigan. A Sandshore cardigan would be great too. I think the Rift top would work up nicely in this yarn. I have so many ideas!!
I would love to try the yarn! Especially since it’s sustainable.
Love the idea of recyling yarn!
I love remix. Great yarn for summer garments.
I have used Remix Light. It’s a great yarn and a sweater out of Remix would be perfect for Arizona winters!
I made a hat with Remix, it was lovely to work with!
I would love to try Berroco Remix!
I have definitely unraveled a sweater and made something else!
I’m making a sweater with Remix right now. I love it. I’ve used it a couple times for other things and recommend it frequently at my LYS!
I wanted to try unraveling and have read about it from a book. One of my merino wool sweater was damaged and felt bad about tossing it. Hopefully I could make something with the unraveled yarn. I have heard of the remix yarn and would like to try it. Would love to win!!
I have unraveled a few projects and I found the process to be quite satisfying. It was great to create something out of another project where I wasn’t happy with the results. Remix yarn is beautiful and looks fun to work with.
I have unraveled and reused so many thrift store finds. I have also unraveled my old knits, especially when they are older and warn out. I try to save whatever yarn I can and start over making something new. I recently didn’t unravel an old sweater but instead cut it into pieces to make a purse. I just love upcycling – so much inspiration!
Would love remix
I love the idea of using recycled fibers for knitting and am interested in trying out the new Berocco Remix yarn. Thanks!
I’m currently seaming the pieces of Jennifer Kent’s Pick Your Pattern Cardigan, the diamond lace version. I started it with the KAL in January. I really like the light fabric it created. It will be a nice summer cardigan, I think.
I have not repurposed yarn from an old sweater, but I have thought about using Berroco Remix for a sweater I plan to make. This post makes me think I should unravel the half-started sweater I started twenty years ago that no longer suits my style instead of trying to finish it, which was what I was planning. One of my goals as someone who has gotten back into knitting in the last few years is to do so in a sustainable manner.
I would love to try this yarn.
I used Berroco Remix in 2016 to make the Beatnik sweater by Norah Gaughan. I’m still wearing the sweater and the yarn is still available – which says a lot about Remix!
I have unravelled s poor-fitting tunic sweater, reconditioned the yarn and used it for other projects.
Please enter me in the draw.
I just finished making gloves from a childhood pullover for a lady, she really didn’t want to part with the pullover, so offered to make some fingerless gloves for her out of what we could use from the pullover.
I have sweaters that I would love to recycle but haven’t found the time to unravel the sweaters. Haven’t used remix, intrigued, and with 10 balls there are so many pattern options!
I would love to try this
I used Remix in a scarf once before and loved it!! It was so soft and delightful to work with. I’d love to use it again for a summer sweater.
I haven’t yet tried repurposing yarn from old sweaters but I’ve been keeping an eye out for a good option at the thrift shops in town!
I haven’t unraveled anything, unless you count frogging failed projects!
Remix is surprisingly soft and lovely. I’d love to knit a sweater with it
I have reknit garments from old ones often incorporating stripes or lace to make the yarn go further but have not had great success finding suitable 2nd hand garments to unravel
My favorite environmentally friendly way to craft has to be thrifting. You can keep craft supplies like yarn out of a landfill, save money, and try new brands including vintage ones! It’s a win, win, win ! Thanks for this article and contest encouraging us to try new ways to make our knitting time more sustainable.
Oh! I love it!
Love it! I’m very curious to knit with this yarn. For a nice summer sweater…
I absolutely love remix! It’s a joy to work with. The fabric is washable, drapes well, and holds up well. I could blather on and on about it all day; I just want to win more!
That looks like a fun yarn!
I would love to win this bundle! I am happy there is recycled yarn being sold now!
would love to try the Remix yarn. thank you Berroco
I have done this many times with projects that have not continued to inspire me to complete them. I love the sound of the Berroco remix – machine washable and soft. No itchiness. I would knit a sweater for a friend who cannot wear wool because of excema. Thank you.
I’d love to try out Berroco Remix, I’d make a bunch of beanies with it!
I have used Remix Light before and loved it. It’S one of my go-to yarns for sweaters since I can’t wear wool.
I have used Remix Light and loved it. It’s one of my go-to yarns for sweaters since I can’t wear wool sweaters.
I have used Remix Light and love the summer tee I made!
I unraveled a sweater my daughter started and knit a new vest from it!
Working hard on my Level 1 to choose yarns that are right for the project. This yarn looks perfect for a sweater.
I would love to try Berocco Remix yarn!🧶
Funny coincidence, I unraveled a dress yesterday that I made this winter. I often find that people tend to not frog their finished projects because they find that sad after having spent so much time on it. As far as I’m concerned, I find it better to frog a finished object and reuse the yarn to make something that I would wear, rather than keeping it in the closet and forget about it. I know nothing about recycled yarn, but for sure, I know how to recycle the projects I’m not happy with :D
I unraveled a cardigan because it was too big and have rewound it for a future project using two colors.
I would love to try the Remix yarn! I’ve watched videos on how to unravel sweaters to re-purpose the yarn and knit into something new- but haven’t yet run across the right sweater to try this.
I have made a cute summer top for my daughter with this yarn. Would love to take on another project with it!
I unraveled a half-knit sweater that I got from someone clearing out her mom’s stash. It was a lovely Chilean yarn, kettle-dyed in blues. I made it into a moss-stitch blanket for my living room.
Audrey’sPullover by Elizabeth Smith using Berroco Remix Light is on my list of projects for this year.
I have unraveled and re-knit sweaters several times. Non-knitters compliment my favorite all of the time, they are amazed the sweater has pockets and when I tell them I unraveled a Gap sweater to knit this one they are extra-amazed.
I love the idea of a 100% recycled fiber blend to utilize in my knitting! I will have to get my hands on some to try for sure :) thank you for the chance to win
I have a sweater I’ve set aside that I want to unravel and repurpose the yarn. I just haven’t gotten to it yet!
I tried to unravel a sweater I had purchased years ago to try to reuse the yarn and was massively unsuccessful. I will try again when I have more patience.
I fo have a cotton sweater that I love that I made years ago that has stretched and im thinking of taking that apart and making it again though!
I love Berroco Yarns, I have not tried Remix yet but I have seen it in my LYS. It is lovely!
I made a great summer top with Remix. Would love to make another.
I’ve purchased wool sweaters at thrift stores to felt and make into mittens. I’ve only unraveled my own knitwear to make into something else.
I’d love to try this
I have enjoyed knitting with Remix.
I really like working with the remix. It wash and dries great – good for children
Recycling yarn, what a great idea. I would like to try this yarn.
i love that this yarn is 100% recycled fibers
I’ve never tried unraveling a sweater to use the yarn but it’s on my to-dos. It sounds like Remix is a great way to be sustainable easily.
I have a stash of sweaters I plan to frog but haven’t tried it yet.
This would be a great birthday gift for me since I won’t be having a parade like someone who shares my birthdate. 🤪
I have unraveled a sweater I made and didn’t like/wear because the yarn was so expensive and I knew I wouldn’t wear it. Better to repurpose than sit on a shelf unworn!
My MIL passed away last summer. I brought home 2 of her sweaters to unravel and re-knit into something that would fit me.
Id love to try this yarn
I would so love to try this yarn. Good Luck everyone.
I love Remix.
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