Officially now decorations, not holes!
So let’s see where we ended up. First the sleeve.
Then the shoulder.
Then the front.
I love it. Totally couldn’t be happier. I’m actually considering doing this in a few other spots on the sweater where there are no holes just for the fun of it because I don’t want to be done yet.
And for folks asking or wondering, no it’s really not hard. You can find embroidery floss at most any craft store. The only other things you need are a needle (I like the blunt ones, but some people like pointy ones…experiment and see what you like) and maybe an embroidery hoop (I like the plastic ones better than the wooden ones because they’re less likely to snag your fabric). If you want some hand holding, this book is good (think stitch dictionary, but for embroidery rather than knitting). And if you want some ideas for what to stitch, there are some adorable things in this one. But really, you can probably just wing it.
Now what do you think…would you do this (or a version of it…there are more subtle versions!) to a sweater that had a hole? Or is it a bit too odd to see the light of day?
I already used your idea to rescue a pair of sweat pants that a cat snagged and broke a thread. It now wears a small branch of flowering ? with a bud at the top of the branch. My old moth holed grey sweater is next. I plan to decorate two holes and a very poor repair from years ago.
Thank you for such a great way to put back in use damaged but still favorite clothing.
Hunter, you may enjoy Tom of Holland’s information on visible mending… https://tomofholland.com/category/the-visible-mending-programme/
Yours is beautiful, thanks for sharing!
Yes I agree ! …Go take a look at his work at the above link . You will be amazed ! He is the master of the “visible mend ” ! His work is just breath-taking ! 🙂
I love this! I have a hoodie I’d like to rescue with embroidered flowers.
Love it! Can we see a shot of the whole sweater? I will do this next when I find more moth holes, but I suppose it depends somewhat on the placement of those holes. Your embroidery is beautiful! I’ve been mending items with my own version of darning, not caring if it’s exactly right, having been inspired by Tom of Holland. It shows loving care of valuable items even when they aren’t perfect.
If I enjoyed embroidery as much as I loved cross-stitch in high school, I have a pair of jeans that has needed a dragon over the knee for years. I always wanted an applique patch, and couldn’t find one, but this paired with tattoo art for inspiration might actually work. 🙂 (Someday, when I feel like I have the patience for embroidery. 🙂 )
Great idea – totally in love with what you did.
This is the truly pretty version of when life give you lemons make lemonade…
What a lovely way to keep what is dear because it is never the shirt that you wanted to get rid of or the sweater that doesn’t fit that is damaged!
Those holes and their elegant fixes are not a glitch in the sweater, they are gorgeous features that make the sweater even more than was intended!
Now, where were my socks that needed to be mended? I’m having visions of gloriously glamorous socks with “features”!
I have so enjoyed watching this repair happen. So creative! I did a lot of stitching at younger age, before my obsession with knitting.
I follow another knitter’s blog, Bonnie Sennott of BBlue Peninsula, at http://www.bluepeninsulaknits.com/. She does a lot of fascinating stitchery as well, and coincidentally (or perhaps not), you’re both among my very favorite knit wear designers.
The sweater looks awesome! I definitely want to try this. I think you’ll love it even more now!
These look fabulous! I, too, would love to see the whole sweater. Lovely job!
I LOVE it. Absolutely love it. What a great idea. I just repaired a knit sweater for my neighbour’s son. I tried to make the repair as invisible as possible, but truth be told, if it had been my husband’s sweater that needed repair, I bet I could do a version of this but in a masculine bent (no flowers). But this is really a treat. Well done.
These are so gorgeous! I love this beautiful embroidery, and I have a sweater the same color as yours with little holes to patch up, so I’m going to have to copy you! 🙂 Lisa
This is absolutely beautiful! True inspiration and motivation for an embroidery newbie 🙂
Can I ask how you made the circles? (Purple in the first pic, wine red in the second). When I try them they become quite flat and I love your 3D-look!!
Please, bring on the holes. What you have done is beautiful and much needed in this throwaway world.
So cool. Almost threw an old sweater away. Now it’s new!
I love this!
Thanks for sharing ! I used this technique to mend a brand new dress I torn the 1st time i wore ! So relieved I won’t have to throw it away 😊