A Clever Way To Hustle Green

Frogging Sweaters: A Clever Way to Hustle Green and Cut Waste

Hey Hustle Tribe, ever looked at an old sweater and thought, “There’s money in that mess”? I’ve seen how small, smart moves can turn everyday scraps into income—especially for us SA women juggling family responsibility and making ends meet. That’s why I’m excited about “frogging,” a simple trick to unravel old knits into fresh yarn for new projects. It’s all about sustainability, zero-cost hustles, and that People, Planet, Profit vibe we live by.

Frogging—named for the “rip it, rip it” sound like a frog’s ribbit—is basically dismantling sweaters to reclaim usable yarn. According to this handy guide on Dengarden, you start by thrifting a sweater, washing it, removing buttons or seams with a ripper, and then winding the yarn into balls as you pull it apart. No fancy tools needed—just a winder if you’ve got one, or a toilet paper roll as a hack. The benefits? It keeps textiles out of landfills (SA dumps tons yearly), cuts costs on new yarn, and lets you craft sellable items like scarves or baby blankets.

For us at Culture Rich, this fits right into the hustle: Grab thrifted sweaters for R20-50, frog them, and sell the yarn balls at markets for R100+ or turn them into Trauma Teddies for R30-50. It’s a green win—upcycling reduces waste while building income for materials. Imagine a Soweto mom turning her family’s old woolies into teddies that heal GBV survivors and pay her bills. That’s real grit turning to growth.

Check out the full step-by-step on Dengarden for the details HERE it’s a game-changer for your next eco-hustle.

What’s your upcycle hack? Share below, or grab our free “Sustainable Hustle Starter Kit” with more ideas like this. Sign up: culturerich.co.za/subscribe. Let’s keep the planet and our pockets thriving!

Until next time,

Margaret

Culture Rich: People, Planet, Profit—empowering SA women, one sustainable step at a time.