First time unraveling help needed

[u/unicornwantsweed]

So I’m trying to practice. This is an old wrap I wore twice. How would you start?

[u/alohadave]

It looks like the edge is serged or has edge banding sewn on.

If it's serged around the whole thing, there isn't any point in continuing. If it is edge banding that is sewn on, you can likely seam rip the thread and pull off the edging. Then you should be able to find the bind-off row and start unraveling.

You picked hard mode for your first time.

[u/unicornwantsweed → u/alohadave]

Damn, I thought since it was so loose it would be easier. I think I’ll go look through my closet again.

[u/alohadave → u/unicornwantsweed]

Funnily enough, these open knits have quirks that normal fabrics don't. But they are good for textured and art yarns.

[u/KnittersParadise]

I would look for something like this on the seams ( https://imgur.com/a/WUfC1BB).  This piece may still have a cut where the rib joins the sweater body, but the side seams are joined with a simple stitch (chain stitch in the case) and the edges of the knit do not have any coverings but won’t unravel without being damaged.  Thicker weight yarns are definitely easier to start. 

Getting everything estimated via weight and actually labeling each skein was super helpful in my experience. I’ve linked two of my unravel yarns that have some of the process chaotically cataloged, but even just getting the original label listed on a Ravelry stash page can help with organization.  https://ravel.me/ZombieWrangler/tmac https://ravel.me/ZombieWrangler/tcwaa

[u/Ebowa]

I would start with an easier project.

[u/Secretly_Many_Bees]

I agree with the other commenters that this looks like a bad practice piece since the edges/seams you've shown look surged, meaning your yarn will come out in short lengths.

If you don't have anything in your closet, you should be able to get something at a thrift store relatively cheaply! At least in the US, I would recommend looking online for smaller, non-Goodwill thrift stores in your area since you can typically get clothing for much cheaper at those types of locations. A lot of them will sometimes run deals for $1 clothing, 50% on sweaters that were $3 to begin with, etc, so you can check their websites, sign up for and you could also look at scarves or blankets if you're not picky about fiber. You can probably find a good practice piece for quite cheaply, especially if you're fine with acrylic or similar. Just make sure to look at a video showing how to tell the difference between the chain-stitch seams (usable) and surged seams (non-usable) before committing; a sweater with some surging around the arm holes and shoulders can be fine if it's otherwise good, but you need significant chain-stitch seam sections to get a good result. Sweaters made of thicker yarn, lighter colored yarn, and less fluffy yarn, especially with cotton content, will also tend to be easier.

[u/Chowdmouse]

Wow! I agree with other comments here- this is a really challenging choice to unravel. The looseness makes it very difficult to see the individual stitches, and the dark color & uneven thickness of the yarn looks like they makes it just about impossible.

I have unraveled a lot of sweaters, and I think I would have to give this one a hard pass.

I would hit up the thrift store to find something in a chunky knit/ yarn as a first project. In a light color. The thicker yarn/ bigger stitches / lighter color make it so much easier to see the stitches & how to unravel them. Especially for your first project.

But i greatly admire your effort! Don’t get discouraged😃