From Sweater to Leg Warmers

Today I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something new. I went out on my own to remake a sweater into something I would use. I had a sweater I'd been given several years ago that I never liked. It was/is just too bulky and awkward feeling. A few weeks ago I decided that since I hadn't used it in years I should use it for something. I took the collar apart for a small project that ultimately failed. I was discouraged and felt like throwing the whole thing away, but just couldn't bring myself to do it. I love the cable stitch and the pattern on this sweater is so pretty. As well, it just seemed wrong to throw all of this away. 

So I thought I would cut off the arms to make some leg warmers for my baby. We like to hike - even in the winter - but I worry about the baby being warm enough since he's not exercising on my back. Snowsuits are a bit too bulky, but the idea of some leg warmers has been perking in my brain. It felt almost wrong to cut sweater up, but then I wasn't using it anyway so out came the scissors.

I cut the arms off.

Then I serged the cut edge to keep it from unravelling.

I turned the sleeve inside out and folded the edge down. Then I sewed a casing for some elastic and threaded my elastic through...

 and voila! A leg warmer.

 

They're a bit long, but he'll have some growing room.