How to Make a Sweater with a Screwdriver, & Other DIY

Julie Diana

Feb 25

You have a busy life.

A busy, fulfilling, meaningful life.

Your relationships and noble work likely take up most of your time.

Every so often, you'd like a moment to yourself to tweak to your wardrobe.

I'm in the same boat. Over the past few months, I've carved out time for simple DIY projects.

I did many of them at my kitchen table while listening to an audiobook (usually Outlander) and sipping chamomile tea.

Keep reading for five DIY tweaks and projects for busy gals. The simplest took 30 seconds; the longest, 3 hours.

Let's jump in!

1. Multi-strand magnetic necklace clasps

Clasps: Amazon; silver and gold

Crystal pendant necklace: similar here / Birthstone necklace: Amazon / Earrings: Amazon / T-shirt dress: Time & Tru

I love magnetic necklace clasps.

They are a godsend when rushing to get dressed. Fiddling with a lobster clasp in the morning is too much fuss.

For years, I've used these magnetic clasps. I'd drag out my jewelry-making kit, and use pliers to attach them.

This time around: no pliers. These clasps from Amazon are simple to attach. Choose from gold- or silver-tone, for two or three necklace strands.

They're great for yourself, and also as a gift.

2. Adding a flare

I've been wearing this ribbed cardigan and matching skirt for almost a year.

Unfortunately, the cardigan never fit right around my hips. To fix this, I ordered a matching sleeveless top.

(A camisole from WalMart in a similar color would also work. Hint: buy the largest size so you have the most fabric to work with.)

I carefully cut the cardigan's side seams, from the hem up to my waistline. I then cut large triangles from the bottom of the tank, where its hem is finished.

After pinning one triangle under each side of the cardigan, I hand-stitched the triangles to the seams. No sewing machine needed.

I also took the camisole's straps and stitched them to the cardigan's side seams. Tied in a bow, they give definition to the back waistline.

And as a finishing touch...

Buttons: similar here and here / Blouse: Soft Surroundings

I replaced the original buttons with matching pearlescent shank buttons.

Little things can bring so much joy.

3. Make a sweater with a screwdriver!

Tshirt here / Skirt here

Yes, you can knit this sweater with a screwdriver! Zero knitting skills needed.

To make this project, I used an Addi King Size knitting machine.

Knitting loom: Addi

Next, I ordered some #5 weight bulky wool yarn.

Then I followed a few simple YouTube tutorials. I learned how to set up the knitting machine here, and how knit panels here and here.

Then I followed an 8-minute video tutorial for the sweater vest here .

For my next project, I'm considering this simple poncho.

So... where does the screwdriver come in, you ask?

I ordered this "crank adapter" from Etsy. It allows you to spin the knitting machine's hand crank with an electric screwdriver (I use this one), instead of turning it by hand. High speed, low effort.

Who knew you could make sweaters this way?

4. Skinny stretch belts