Draped in Cashmere- A Decadent Scarf Tutorial
November 18, 2009 6:25 amI finally did it! I found my first cashmere sweater at the thrift store! I was THRILLED when I found it! I’ve been looking for one for a long time.
I’m going to show you how to make it into this!
If you don’t have a cashmere sweater, any lightweight material will do.
The first thing I did was cut off my bottom ribbing.
Now cut it into equal strips, however your sweater will allow you to. Here’s how I portioned mine out.
I’m going to show you how to make it into this!
If you don’t have a cashmere sweater, any lightweight material will do.The first thing I did was cut off my bottom ribbing.
Now cut it into equal strips, however your sweater will allow you to. Here’s how I portioned mine out.
I opened the sleeves so I could use them, too.
Here were the strips I ended up with.
Sew half of your strips together in one long piece. Do the other half separately. Then pin the two long strips together so it gets doubly wide. Stitch together.
What I did next, I forgot to photograph. I used hem tape to seal the edges. You can use that, extra sweater material or fold it over and stitch.
Here’s what it will look like. As you can see, I made a grid on the photo to show where we are going to gather it. I did it about every 8 inches horizontally, then about 2 inches from each edge.
With this knit, you can just gather it by gathering while you sew. As you can see, I just shoved pieces together and stitch it with a straight stitch. Its very easy and doesn’t take much time.
Here’s what it looks like after I did the horizontal stitches then the first vertical stitch.
If you want to add a little more, you can use extra sweater material to create a fringe.
Just sew them on to the end of your scarf. (It was a little too much on mine, but it’s an option!)
Here’s how it turned out…
I love the rufflyness of it. It looks like an extravagant collar.
Another thing you can do is add a button as a closure. I added it to one side then used some string to hold it in place. That way I can fold the scarf off tot he side and have it stay in place.
Don’t you just want to curl up in this??
I know this was two scarves in a row, but I had to post this one immediately because I’ve really been enjoying it.More warm weather tutorial coming this week!
Tags: cashmere, ruffle, scarf, sweater, wrap
Posted in refashions, women's clothing | 35 Comments »
By kaylin rose and mara anne on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
love that one! i think i am going to have to look for an old sweater to do this too!
By Hashi on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
Yum yum, looks like a big frothy cappucino
By Beyond All Measure on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
this looks luscious! I linked to it on my blog.
By Cassandra on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
This is gorgeous! Looks just like the one at Anthro that I've been eyeing. Now I'm just going to have to find a sweater instead! Thanks for the inspiration!
By threemoonbabies on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
Really pretty! I love it!
By Stephanie on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
LOVING it. I followed your capelet tutorial (sooo easy to follow) and am beyond thrilled with how mine came out!! Thank you!
By Misha on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
Very pretty! I just had to comment because instead of using hem tape on the edges you could have washed the sweater in hot water before starting. It would have shrunk but it would not unravel at all once cut.
By http://ladiessilkscarf.co.uk/blog/2009/08/scarves-wraps-and-shawls/ on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
quite interesting!
good idea to reuse the sweater as a scarf
By Alex on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
gorgeous! I am a knitter, but I just might have to take up sewing…
By TERRi :) on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
It's beautiful!
By Jenna on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
That is GORGEOUS!
By Deanna on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
I love this, and i have seen these in the stores. This is my next project. Thanks for sharing.
By Megan on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
I'm totally making this! As soon as I make the capelet you posted over the weekend.
Moths nibbled on a pink cashmere sweater I'd stored over the summer, and while it's nibbled beyond repair it would be perfect to repurpose into this scarf. Thank you!
By casserole on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
Fabulous!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-gathered-ruffled-scarf-from-a-cashmere-sweater/2009/11/18/
–Anne
By MadebyMeedy on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
Super Cute! I have been wanting to make a gathered scarf. Thanks for the tutorial.
By Rook No. 17 on Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
Oh so heavenly! Cashmere is my favorite! What you've done with that old sweater is fabulous! It's divine! So beautiful and feminine! I think I may have to work some thrift shop treasure hunting into tomorrow's plans!
I'm not sure if you "do" the blog award thing, but I got one and was asked to pass it on. I've so enjoyed your amazing tutorials and creativity that I certainly thought you should be included on my list of favorites. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, "no pressure" and "no obligation".
By Dayna (Caden's Mommy) on Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
Oooo…I've been looking for a cashmere sweater too! I probably won't find one until spring when I can't make this for the winter. I wish I had this on right now. It's such a cold dreary day here in N WI.
By kirstin & jordan on Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
LOVELY! we have a whole list of cashmere and wool tutorials up today- I'll be adding this to the list.
By Shanade on Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
Ooh la la! I have a cashmere sweater that doesn't fit anymore, but haven't been able to bring myself to get rid of it. I think I found the perfect thing for it. Thanks for the idea!
By Rachel@oneprettything.com on Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
Oooh this is gorgeous! I'm on a cashmere hunt too. Well, now I need two. =) I'll be linkin.
By jaybird on Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
beautiful scarf!! i have a blue cashmere sweater that needs to find a new home… contact me so i can send it to you.. {i'll explain more in email}
By dana on Nov 23, 2009 | Reply
oh, i love this! Looks so comfy to wear.
By Your Frugal Friend, Niki on Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
Oh this is lovely! And so fab!
Wish I could sew….
You should make these and sell them!
By kim taylor - - - the sassy crafter on Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
Beautiful! I also make ruffly scarves from old cashmere sweaters but I do it a little bit differently. I felt the sweaters by washing them in hot water. Then I can cut the sweaters without having them unravel, plus the felting gives the final scarf a nice weight.
By Burberry Cashmere Scarf on Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
Beautiful and pretty…
By Arlene in RI on Jul 29, 2010 | Reply
Thanks so much for your tutorial. Earlier this summer I saw a scarf very similar to yours @Nordstrom’s and have been wanting to try and copy it. Your tutotial is just what I needed to get me going!
By Lori on Dec 2, 2010 | Reply
Wow! and thanks for the tutorial, it really looks easy to do. Great gift idea!
By Rachel on Dec 6, 2010 | Reply
That is so, so gorgeous! Thanks so much for the how-to, I’ll be linking.
By Mary on Dec 18, 2010 | Reply
One especially nice benefit: Cashmere is rarely grown sustainably, the animals are really trashing the grazing areas as more fiber is needed for a growing market. This allows us luxury cashmere scarves without increasing the environmental damage.
By Scarves on Dec 20, 2010 | Reply
The scarf is absolutely gorgeous! I can crochet , but cannot knit very well. I would love to make this!
Thanks for sharing this Tutorial.
By mono cunden on Nov 2, 2011 | Reply
looking for cashmere now…………. gotta to make this in red
By Marti on Jan 8, 2012 | Reply
I love this scarf too! I also featured it in my blog. Grab a “featured” button if you want.