This week I found a fab Irish handknitted Aran sweater for two pounds in a north London charity shop. I periodically do a trawl through all my local shops looking for pure wool sweaters to cut up, felt, embroider and make into toys. Although I am on a crusade to buy handmade and support crafts people, I also love to find a bargain in a second hand shop, as it is participating in recycling and giving to charity at the same time.
This jumper is my best buy since a fab red cashmere number I picked up for five pounds a few years ago. It is a child size, meaning unfortunately I can't wear it, so it won't be too heartbreaking to cut it up and hand sew it lovingly into something just as fabulous. I now just have to decide what to make out of the lovely cabled fabric; initial thoughts are a wooly sheep or a cosy cushion. Will post a picture here when I get round to using it.
Excellent find. Why is everything I find in charity shops acrylic?
ReplyDeleteMost of it I see is too, which is why I get so excited when I see something nicer!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what you come up with! I feel exactly the same as you, i want to support handmade items but love a bargain in the charity shops, which aids recycling :D
ReplyDeletei think there is room for a bit of both - don't you?! ;)
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