Frogging Thrift Store Finds

Posted by Kelly Gilliam Apr 14, 2006

When you mention "frogging" to a knitter, you'll most likely be met with a shudder and a story about how they once had to frog a beautiful silk shawl because three rows down they missed a yarn over. Despite the fact that frogging can be a painful task, it can also be one of joy, especially for those on a budget. One of the greatest tricks I learned was that you can get a whole sweater's worth of yarn for less than $5 - and we're talking good wool, cashmere, cotton, whatever your heart desires.

But how is that possible, you ask? Simple - go to your local thrift store, find a sweater (usually one made out of an ugly pattern) made out of a beautiful natural yarn (check the label!), and get frogging. It'll cost you $5 at most, and you'll end up with so much yarn you won't know what to do with it.

There is an excellent website that I want to show you by Ashley Martineau called "The Recycled Yarn Tutorial" that goes along with you step by step, with great photographs, to show you how to frog a thrift store sweater. It's how I learned, and so can you.

My tips for you are:

1. Go for the men's sweaters - you'll get more bang for your buck and probably a lot less frilly froo-froo mess.

2. Check to make sure you will be able to frog it. Hairy yarns or really thin yarns will be murder on you and you'll end up cutting out more than you frog.

3. Don't bother with acrylic. You'll spend hours frogging a sweater and it won't be worth your time.

Happy frogging