Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sweater Makeover - Duplicate Stitch Heart Elbow Patches


After the fun I had adding pretty patches to this chunky knit, no sweater in my closet is safe! I was inspired by Karen Barbé's intarsia patch tutorial on mending her well-loved arm warmers. I decided to use the duplicate stitch technique and try to give this old sweater a new, more colorful, life. Thankfully this sweater is a thick knit, so it didn't take me too long to stitch on the hearts. I decided to add the hearts around the cuffs because I wanted the awesomeness of this sweater to be visible from all angles. It's like wearing little heart bracelets and I love it! 

The elbow patches were a little trickier because I had to make sure they covered my elbow and didn't end up floating too high around my biceps. Ha. Biceps. I printed out a simple heart shape from Microsoft Word, attached it to the proper elbow-centric location on my arm, and outlined the heart with a running stitch. I started out simply trying to fill it in with duplicate stitches, but it looked a bit off and wouldn't stay in even rows. So I did my best to work within the heart shape and create an even pattern. I'm so glad it worked because I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!  
I love all of my crazy sweaters, down to the last swan and polkadot, but I think this one might be my new favorite. I guess it's the DIY pride in taking an old, bulky, Target sale-rack sweater and making it my own. Plus, the hearts are just in time for February!

So what do you think? Should I sport this beauty on Valentine's day? Too obvious?

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78 comments:

  2. <3 Eee I love this, well done. It turned out great, and I love the colours together :)

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  3. I love this!!! So awesome and original! And yeah, totally wear this for V-Day!

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  4. wow... this is beautiful! What a sweet idea!!!!

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  5. This looks SO SO SO good! I love the idea - such a fantastic way to add a little life into an old favourite sweater.

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  6. WOW I so should do something like this with one of my jumpers.

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  7. cute, i love it!

    georgia
    http://swonderfulgd.blogspot.com/

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  9. lovely! i'm completely inspired! and yes, definitely sport this one on V-day. xx

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  10. So sweet! Lining up those elbow patches is trickier than it looks.

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  11. Wowee-wow! I love it so much. I would be tempted to wear it everyday!

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  13. You are a yarn goddess!! Love this! :)

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    1. Haha! This made me smile. You are too sweet Savannah! :)

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  14. Definitely wear it on Valentine's Day! What good is having a sweater like this if NOT to wear it on that day? :)

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  15. I love it! You're so talented. This looks like it was made with those hearts!

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  17. I love it and yes, perfect for Valentine's
    x

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  19. Meredith, come live with my and teach me your talents. :)
    it really is very beautiful. you did a fabulous job.

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  20. This looks so sweet and beautiful. I love it. You are so skilled.

    http://houseofwren.blogspot.com/

    Wren

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  21. do it! wear it on vday!!!!! I love the sweater, it looks perfect! You're such a talented, bright, creative individual! :)

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  25. Would this work for lighter weight sweaters too? It looks lovely!

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    1. Yes absolutely! Just match the the weight of the yarn with the weight of the sweater! :)

      Thank you!

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  26. So so cool! And I love that you did this on a sweater that already has an intricate cable knit pattern! I would have been a wimp about that and would have opted for a plain jane sweater to try it out on. Did it take a lot of re-positioning before you felt confident enough that the shapes would be straight and in line with each other??

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    1. Yes it did! I was so worried I would mess up and have it look uneven. Thankfully the stitches are easy to remove when mistakes happen. :)

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  27. DEFINITELY wear on valentines day! I could not think of a better outfit.

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  28. That is so adorable! I was delighted to find your blog through being featured in this blog post about 'what I'm wearing' bloggers...I'll definitely be back again, you have great style!
    http://luckyrainbowdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/today-i-heart.html

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  29. I am in love with this! I will certainly be giving this a try soon! I'm also loving your hair cut!

    Dana

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  30. Sooooo cute! The little wrist hearts are a stroke of genius :)

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  31. This looks great I love anything with elbow patches. What a great way to give an old sweater new life.

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  32. definitely rock this one on valentines day! It looks fantastic and I wish I had a sweater to do this to myself! XXX

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  34. Eek! This is super cute! I just might have to try it!

    I'd love for you to share: http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/2012/01/pinteresting-party-week-24.html

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  36. Um. This is BRILLIANT.

    Going to do this asap for Valentines Day.

    ♥
    Talia Christine
    http://taliachristine.blogspot.com

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  37. Oh mein gott!! This is amazing!! I think you pulled it off even better than the inspiration. Can I send you all my sweaters right now please?!

    Kate
    dessaunihao.blogspot.com

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  38. LOVE LOVE LOVE this. You look ADORABLE, BTW! That entire outfit is so *perfect* and yes, you should totally wear that sweater on Valentine's Day. :D

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  39. I LOVE this! I'm off to dig out a sweater and some wool. x

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  40. i lovelove this! the elbows are SO CUTE!

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  41. Ive always liked how elbow pads look on sweaters & jackets, but for some reason I never thought of doing it diy style. This is super cute & the next time I go thrifting, Im going to pick up a sweater with this idea in mind. I can't wait! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  42. Adorable! You did an amazing job!

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  43. Hmm, this may be the best thing I've ever seen.

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  44. I love how cute this is and how it totally changed the look of the sweater. Definitely wear it on Valentine's Day.

    http://knitteachride.blogspot.com

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  46. This is such a great DIY project. It turned out really nice! I might just have to dig through my closet and try it out.

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  47. I can't even pretend that I didn't freak out when I saw this in my reader. Holy cow! I'm so, so, so, so impressed Meredith!! Oh my gosh!

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  49. This is way to awesome chicadee!!!!! Gah you rock so much.

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  50. This is gorgeous Meredith! Beautiful work, and such a cute transformation :)

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  52. Wow Meredith, this is just so beautiful. Oh, I'm jealous! Horribly, horribly jealous.

    Katie x

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  53. It looks so good now! What a simple transformation :D

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  54. Hallo!
    I've linked to two of your lovely projects in my blog recently, and I've also two photos.
    If you are not happy with it, please, tell me in the comments and I'll remove them :)
    I really like all you make! :)
    Silvia from Italy

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  55. This is such a precious detail!! I love that it is a personal detail that can be added to so many different types of clothing!

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  56. ahh! so awesome! i want to do it too, but i'm not sure i'm good enough!

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  57. Aww! I love this! It's so adorable! <3

    No, seriously, it is too cute for words and I am speechless - which never happens. ;)

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  58. Cute. I am doing a big giveaway. Want to offer something? If so leave a comment on my blgo with your e-mail!

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  59. how adorable!! that sweater looks perfect for valentine's day!!
    -sarah

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  60. What a sweet update to the sweater! Perfect for the 14th.

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  61. Wow, that was really sweet accent to the sweater. Perfect for hearts season. :)
    buy aion accounts

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  64. omg i love this been attempting this technique failed miserably well done you.

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  65. Eeek! Such a perfect take on that cool diy. :) The heart bracelets are darling!

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  66. You are so creative! This is the coolest DIY and it looks gorgeous! :)

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  67. This is too cute! I'm dead set on doing this for valentine's day! <3

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  69. amazing ideia! I will try it some day!

    anyway, I just found your blog.. it is lovely, i am following! :)

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  70. Lady! This is so beautiful.
    Def wear it for V-Day!

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  71. this is so wonderful! still need to do this! ahh!

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  73. This is so sweet! You are truly an amazing crafty gal!

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  74. This is genius. I love it so much and want to try it! Thanks for sharing!

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  75. Totally adorable!!!!! I was wondering if you pulled out the running stitch after you filled it on with duplicate stitch?

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