Cardigan elbows

Elbow patches used to be very fashionable in the sixties. I cut them out of matching felt and hand stitched them but now I think I’d make them contrasting or even make a motif like a butterfly or a flower🌼🐶

But to be honest, I throw them away😳

Maybe make a feature of patches, matching or not? We used to put colourful ones on knees of jeans when they got a hole.

My friend gets jazzy socks and uses them to patch up old but much loved knitwear. They look very cool!

Can you remove the arms altogether and a woolly waistcoat?

If you have so many cardigans could you not cannibalise some of them- cutting contrasting patches and stitching these over the holes to make a novel effect?
PS how on earth did you get holes in the elbows in the first place.

I was wondering that as well - how on earth did you get holes in the elbows?

In our last house we had a silestone kitchen island. I found that spending time at the island sitting somewhat sloppily resulted in holey elbows in my sweaters and cardigans.
I sewed contrasting patches on my favourites but they too succumbed.
Never buy silestone. If you do, try to sit up and not slouch.
The contrasting patches were much admired especially during Covid when I sewed matching masks.

I’d throw them all away.

I darn mine in the old fashioned way with a darning mushroom. Then embroider over the top, in a similar, or sometimes contrasting thread.

crazyH

I was wondering that as well - how on earth did you get holes in the elbows?

I get them in knitwear because i spend quite aa lot of time sitting at my desk at my computer or reading and I rub the sleeves across the desk as I move my arms.

My DH wears holes in the elbows of every single jumper he has. At least it gives us ideas for birthday and Christmas presents!

I’m ashamed to say that because I sit on the sofa to eat my meals, -with my pad in front of me like I’m doing now. - the fronts of my cardigans get stained with pasta sauce, gravy and curry long before the elbows wear out😳

Time for a bib😱

Thin jumpers underneath and roll the sleeves up.

suede patches it works better if you do it when it isnew

What about felt patches in a contrasting colour.

I also like RosiesMaw's idea of using one of the other cardigans to make patches for the remaining ones.

I’ve tried the iron on felt patches but they came off in the wash. I then sewed them on but, to be honest, they didn’t look very good - OK for just around the house - but the local clothes collection bins now benefit. I think he just has bony elbows!

Got the holes sitting at the table reading broadsheet papers. Also resting arms on armchair. Yes,I've heard of visible mending, flowery patches etc. Good idea to cut up old holey ones for patches. I still think someone, not me, could make money with cloth tubes you put on arms from wrist to just above elbow. The rate I go the patches wouldn't last long. On one cardi I just cut out the hole and blanket stitched round the edge. Nothing seems to work though in.the end.

Maybe Turtle Dove’s recycled cashmere fingerless gloves would be long enough - you could wear them as arm warmers.

I would just say it's time for a few new cardigans!

What type do you buy that they wear out?

When I was in my teens & twenties, I did used to have this problem. Back then as the OP says, you could get patches in Woolies to sew on.
I've worn cardies all my life but reading this thread, I realised I haven't had any wear on the elbows for 40 years. How weird is that? Do you knit? I used to be an avid knitter back then but not since. Is it knitting that is to blame?

If you can knit an oval shape, a knitted patch would work (I think a square would look a bit Heath Robinson, but that's just my taste). Or make a patch (any shape you like!) from soft fabric. You could have fun with it - fabric shops usually sell fat quarters for patchwork, so the world's your oyster!

Gosh - this reminds me of when I sewed leather patches on my DDs school cardigans and she was furious with me because holes in the elbows were the fashion at her school ad she had been unpicking the sleeves!

I've inserted old cut up Tshirts to create patches on the inside where my cardies are wearing slightly thin on the elbows .
My cardies tend to lose their shape as I tend to roll them up.
If I had a favourite cardie with holes at the elbow -lousy as my knitting is I could knit a patch to go over the area .
One of my friends is brilliant at getting more mileage of her wardrobe .
On an expensive, but worn cardie she not only patched the elbows with Liberty fabric ,but made new buttons covered in matching material .
It looked stunning .
I think that it's the most successful make over of a garment that I've ever seen!