Product Description

Create unique fashion styles using old sweaters!

Here's a book for anyone interested in designing a wardrobe that expresses individuality in fun and creative ways.

Second-Time Cool shows how easy it can be to recycle knitted sweaters and strike a dazzling look. Simply grab an old wool sweater, wash in the hot cycle, pick up the scissors, and follow the instructions outlined in this book.

Ideas include appliqués, slippers, vests, wrist and leg warmers, stylish tops, bags and purses, and much more. The book helps readers think creatively about what can become what: a sleeve can become a mitten, the center of a sweater a skirt, and a turtleneck a hat.

The authors remind readers to look for interesting fashions from the past in secondhand stores. Retro is in: it's all about learning to customize, cut up, and change used clothes with confidence.

Also included are:

• the basics of knitting and crocheting
• line drawings to guide readers step-by-step
• instructions on the how-to's of cutting up a sweater to produce a unique style.

Instruction pages are replete with full-color photography, while images displaying the end results offer inspiration.

The authors are a collective of Swedish designers, expert knitters, and fashion journalists.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #749507 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-01
• Original language: Swedish
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 92 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up–This unusual craft book presents an amazing array of ideas that can be made from a wool sweater that has been washed in the hot cycle and dried until it becomes like felt. When the fibers bind together, it can be cut without fraying. The finished products range from Northern-European trendy teen-style clothing to more conservative mittens, purses, hats, and scarves. All of the suggested items are accompanied by color photographs. In addition to the craft ideas, there is a lengthy discussion of recycled fashions complete with pictures of avant-garde designs. Beginners might be frustrated by the lack of step-by-step instructions, and the author uses terms like applique and rosette without any added explanation. There are also cursory introductions to knitting, crocheting, and embroidery but no real patterns. For newcomers, Judy Ann Sadler's Making Fleece Crafts (Kids Can, 2000) is a better place to start. However, Cool is ideal for those teens experienced in handwork and willing to try some of the stylish creations.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 7-10. This book isn't for the fainthearted. The idea is to rip up existing knitwear and create a new garment. Ivarsson begins with a short history of recycling clothing and an environmental message. She then explains how to throw a sweater into a washing machine (so the material felts together) and begin cutting. There are no real patterns. The idea is to free one's creativity and to show how a sweater can become leg or wrist warmers, mittens, bags, scarves, even skirts and slippers. Mostly, this is filled with inspirational color photographs and directions for different kinds of knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. First published in Sweden, the book features models that are an attractive if somewhat motley crew; many of the outfits they wear are beyond hippie-style. Still, this provides lots of new design paths for the adventurous crafter. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Fashion design school. They show you how to make new from old or create originals, all on a budget. -- Jackie White, Kansas City Star 10/23/2005

The wardrobe possibilities are endless in Second-Time Cool. -- Girls' Life 12/2005

Customer Reviews

So Much Better Than Described!
I ordered this book because it looked interesting....well, it is! It is a wonderful idea book. It gives minimal instructions for creating garments out of found clothing (sweaters), but it is jam-packed with the neatest ideas and everything is doable with minimum skills. What is especially nice is that the photographs, writers, models are not from the U.S. It is always nice to really get a look into the style of people from different countries. Excellent book and "search" offered by amazon does not highlight the best parts. Do not go by the minimal pages that are offered as a sneak peek.

Great design ideas--no projects.
I agree with all the other reviewers: I was disappointed that there weren't patterns, but I also think the book provides really great design inspiration. The other two books on remaking clothing that I've looked at in the past three days (Generation T and Sew Subversive) were both quite basic and not that inspiring, design-wise... this book is much more design-conscious and exciting. For someone like me who has some confidence about messing around with materials, sewing, knitting, etc., this is a great book to get ideas bouncing around. But you'll have to work out the how-tos yourself, for the most part. Definitely a keeper, and well worth a look.

Don't bother
I was very disappointed in this book. It tries to be cool (like it says in the title) but honestly I expected a certain level of sophistication and directions for projects. It lacks both although the book does show you how to knit and crochet, how to make pom poms and how to make fringe (all of which I already know how to do) and gives you a little history lesson all at the same time.

If this was still the 80's this book would have been perfect. If you like Cyndi Lauper (and that was the first concert I ever went to) or maybe Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan, you might like this book for inspiration. As for me, I am returning the book.

I recommend both "Heartfelt" and "Felt it! Stitch it! Fabulous!" They get 5 stars from me!