By Sassy Crafter, July 2008

It’s finally summer and it sure is hot! ‘Tis the season for tank tops and breezy skirts. But what to do when you venture to over-chilled spots like the movies or the grocery store? Try this summer shrug to keep the chill off your shoulders. It’s crafted from a recycled sweater and was inspired by projects in the new book Sweater Surgery. The book also features several projects designed by the Sassy Crafter herself. Be sure to check it out!

What you need:

Lacy sweater

Scissors

Yarn or ribbon

What to do:

1. Visit your local thrift store to find a lacy, oversized sweater. Use the scissors to remove the sleeves. Cut on the body side of each shoulder seam in order to prevent the sleeves from unraveling. If you have an overlock sewing machine (also known as a serger), you can run a line of stitching along the raw edge of each sleeve rein in any stray threads.

2. Use yarn or ribbon to whipstitch the edge of each sleeve. This adds a decorative effect and also adds stability in preparation for joining the sleeves.

3. Take another piece of yarn or ribbon and lace the two sleeves together. Then for a final touch, use two shorter pieces of yarn or ribbon to gather each sleeve.

4. Don your shrug and you’re ready to tackle the freezer section of your local market! For a copy of Sweater Surgery, contact Goering’s or another local bookstore.

For detailed photos of this month’s project and other crafty ideas, visit http://sassycrafter.blogspot.com.