Come Undone: ReKnit Redesigns Sustainability, One Thread at a Time

Here's a recent story I did on an incredibly resourceful and creative mother-and-son duo. You can also read it here on your daily thread. 

Many of us have, at some point, been challenged with what to do with an outdated or unwanted sweater. We’re talking about the one that’s brandished with a pattern only the cast from Saved By the Bell would wear. Maybe someone special gifted you with something, er, not so special. Options are limited. Donning it is ruled out. You can’t leave it in your closet, dresser … pile of clothes on the floor collecting dust mites, and you can’t chuck it (definitely an eco-no no with our overwhelmed landfills. If you have time, you can always drop it off at your nearest Goodwill. What are your options when it comes to disregarded duds? 

Send it to ReKnit, a a Boston-based project started by graphic designer Haik Avanian and his mom. For $30, Avanian’s mom will unravel all the fugliness from your sweater and repurpose it into something new and rack worthy.

Or shall we say accessory-drawer worthy?

Each month, visitors can vote on the next item to be made. Sweatbands anyone? Starting in February, she’ll be reknitting accessories in the form of two different styles of cut-off gloves. Order soon, since ReKnit limits orders to the first 30 (he only has one mom, after all). Find shipping labels to send off your sweaters here.

“The idea is definitely to have seasonal items so that they're useful for the current month,” says Avanian.

“Reknitting has always been a part of my family and culture,” he says. “We've always been as resourceful as possible, in both tough and economic times.”

He hopes their yarn-y project will offer inspiration to others who might be thinking of resalvaging yarn or other fabric from old clothes (“It's really not that difficult of a skill to learn”). “I definitely think that there's room for repurposing in the world of fashion. People are slowing becoming aware of this option now out of necessity.”

“We're hoping people see the potential in re-using clothing made from yarn, and maybe start similar projects within their families and communities,” he says. “It's a small habit, but many of these small habits can add up to a whole sustainable lifestyle over time.”

Visit them on Twitter to vote on what you’d like to see in March. Current runner-ups include a hat, iPod case, socks and … sweatbands.