27 Things You Can Make With an Old Sweater

What started as a simple idea for reusing one old sweater turned into a whole collection of projects. Once I started cutting into sweaters, I kept finding more things to make with them!

Most of us have at least a few sweaters in the closet that we never wear anymore: a stretched-out crew neck, a pilled pullover, or a wool sweater that went through the dryer by mistake. If you don’t, your local thrift store has racks of them for just a few dollars each.

Below are the 7 sweater projects I made myself, with supplies and step-by-step instructions for each, plus 20 more easy ideas for giving an old sweater a second life.

What Can You Make With an Old Sweater?

Quick answer: An old sweater can become a pumpkin, pillow, baby hat, coasters, bottle covers, a cardigan, or even a purse. The body works well for pillows and hats, the sleeves for bottle covers, mittens, and cup cozies, and felted wool for coasters and anything you want to cut without the edges unraveling. Most of these projects need only scissors, a needle and thread or a sewing machine, and some stuffing.

Before You Start: Choosing and Prepping Your Sweaters

• Check the fiber content. Sweaters that are 100% wool (or very close to it) can be felted, which makes them thick and stops the cut edges from unraveling. Acrylic and cotton blends won’t felt, so save those for projects where the edges are sewn or tucked out of sight.
• Wash before you cut. Washing removes any odors from the thrift store and lets the sweater shrink before you turn it into something.
• Stitch before you snip. On a sweater that won’t felt, sew a line of stitching (a zigzag stitch works well) right next to where you plan to cut. This keeps the knit from unraveling.
• Plan your cuts. One sweater can go a long way. In the projects below, I used the bottom of one sweater for a baby hat and its sleeve for a bottle cover.

How to Felt a Wool Sweater

Wash the sweater in your washing machine on the hottest setting, then dry it in the dryer on high heat. The heat and agitation shrink the wool fibers and lock them together, so the sweater comes out smaller, thicker, and denser, almost like felt. If it isn’t as thick as you’d like, run it through another hot wash and dry cycle.

7 Easy Things I Made With Old Sweaters

1. Sweater Pumpkin

This sweater pumpkin couldn’t be any easier, and it makes a cozy fall decoration for a mantel or table.

You’ll need: an old sweater, scissors, 2 rubber bands, stuffing (I used the filling from an old pillow), and a piece of ribbon.

1. Cut the body off the sweater, just below the armholes.
2. Turn it inside out and gather one end together tightly with a rubber band.
3. Turn it right side out so the gathered end is tucked inside and becomes the bottom of the pumpkin.
4. Fill it with stuffing until it’s nice and round.
5. Gather the top with a second rubber band, then tie a ribbon around it to hide the band.

2. Sweater Baby Hat

I made this little hat as a gift for my newest grand-niece. It only uses a small piece from the bottom of the sweater, so there’s plenty left over for another project (like the bottle covers below).

You’ll need: an old sweater with a ribbed bottom edge, a baby hat to use as a guide (or a paper pattern), scissors, pins, and a sewing machine or needle and thread.

1. Turn the sweater inside out and lay it flat. Place the bottom of your guide hat along the sweater’s ribbed hem, so the finished edge becomes the brim.
2. Trace around the hat, adding about 1/2 inch for the seam allowance.
3. Pin both layers together and sew along the traced line, leaving the bottom open.
4. Trim the excess fabric, turn the hat right side out, and it’s ready to wear.

3. Felted Sweater Coasters

I found a 100% wool sweater at the thrift store that someone had already washed and dried by accident, so it was halfway felted. I finished the job, and it came out about the size of a doll’s sweater, which was perfect for coasters!

You’ll need: a 100% wool sweater, sharp scissors, and a round object to trace (like a jar lid or a small bowl).

1. Felt the sweater using the hot wash and dry method above.
2. Trace circles (or squares) about 4 inches wide onto the felted wool.
3. Cut out your coasters. Felted wool won’t unravel, so there’s no need to hem the edges.

4. Sweater Pillows

Sweater pillows add instant texture to a couch or bed, and they’re one of the simplest ways to reuse a sweater you love but don’t wear.

You’ll need: an old sweater, scissors, pins, stuffing or a pillow insert, and a sewing machine or needle and thread.

1. Cut the body off the sweater. If it’s much wider than you want your pillow to be, trim some width from one side and sew it back together.
2. Turn it inside out and sew across the bottom and top openings, leaving a gap of a few inches for stuffing.
3. Turn it right side out and fill it with stuffing (or slip in a pillow insert).
4. Sew the opening closed by hand, or topstitch along the whole edge for a finished look.

5. Cardigan From a Crew Neck Sweater

I found this crew neck sweater at the thrift store and loved the color, but I’m much more of a cardigan girl. Turning it into one took just a few minutes, and it quickly became one of my favorite grab-and-go layers.

You’ll need: a crew neck sweater, scissors, pins, and a sewing machine. A decorative button is optional.

1. Lay the sweater flat and mark a straight line up the center front.
2. Sew a line of stitching on each side of that line to keep the knit from unraveling, then cut straight up the middle.
3. Fold each cut edge under once, pin, and sew it down.
4. Sew a button at the top of the neckline for decoration, if you like.

6. Sweater Bottle Covers

This is a great way to use the sleeves left over from other projects. I used one sleeve from the baby hat sweater and one from the pumpkin sweater. A sweater-covered bottle of wine, champagne, or sparkling cider makes a lovely hostess gift.

1. Cut a sleeve off an old sweater.
2. Slide it over the bottle, with the cuff at the neck, and tuck the cut end under the bottom of the bottle.
3. Cut a thin strip from another sweater and tie it around the neck like a ribbon.

7. Sweater Sling Purse

This was the project that took me the most time, but it was still easy. I spotted an outdated animal print sweater at the thrift store and knew right away it would make a cute bag. My sewing skills were a bit rusty, and it still turned out great!

You’ll need: an old sweater, lining fabric (I cut mine from an old bed sheet), scissors, pins, and a sewing machine. Old brooches or pins for decoration are optional.

1. Cut two matching pieces for the bag from the sweater body, and two matching pieces from your lining fabric.
2. Cut a long strip from the sleeves or the rest of the body for the strap.
3. Sew the sweater pieces together along the sides and bottom, then do the same with the lining.
4. Slip the lining inside the bag, fold the top edges in, and sew around the opening.
5. Sew the strap ends to the sides of the bag. Add a few pins or brooches to the strap for a little sparkle.

20 More Things You Can Make With an Old Sweater

Seven projects in one post was my limit, but I couldn’t resist sharing more ideas for your inspiration:

For the Home

1. Pot holders: Layer two or three pieces of thick felted wool, stitch around the edges, and add a loop for hanging.
2. Winter wreath: Wrap a foam or straw wreath form in strips of sweater, then add sweater-flower embellishments.
3. Pendant lamp shade: Stretch a sweater over a simple drum or pendant shade for a soft, cozy glow. Keep the knit away from the bulb, and use an LED bulb, which runs much cooler.
4. Knitting basket: Sew together panels of heavily felted wool to make a soft, structured basket for yarn or other odds and ends.
5. Covered hangers: Slip sweater sleeves over wooden hangers and sew the ends closed. Delicate clothes won’t slip off.
6. Cup cozy: Cut a band from a sleeve or cuff to slide over a mug or a to-go coffee cup.
7. Polar bear ornaments: Cut small bear shapes from white felted wool, stitch them together, and stuff them lightly.

To Wear

8. Mittens: Trace around your hand on a felted sweater, adding a seam allowance, then sew two pieces together. Use the ribbed cuff for the wrist.
9. Slippers: Use felted wool for the tops and add a sturdier sole (like leather or a nonslip fabric) so they’re safe to wear on hard floors.
10. Skirt: Cut the body of a sweater at the hip, then use the ribbed hem as a ready-made waistband.
11. Scarflette: Cut a strip from the sweater body, then fasten it with a button or brooch for a short, cozy neck warmer.
12. Little girl’s dress: An adult-size sweater has plenty of fabric for a simple short-sleeve dress for a toddler.
13. Arm warmers: Cut the sleeves off and hem the top edge. The cuffs become the wrists, and you can cut a small hole for your thumb.
14. Bangles: Wrap strips of sweater around plain bangle bracelets and stitch the ends to secure them.
15. Flower pins: Roll and stitch strips of felted wool into flowers, then attach a pin back.

For Kids and Pets

16. Baby blanket: Piece together squares from soft sweaters (cashmere is especially nice) and back them with fleece.
17. Stuffed animals: Cut simple animal shapes from felted wool, sew them together, and stuff them. For little ones, stitch the features on instead of using buttons.
18. Dog bed: Sew the neck and arm openings closed, stuff the body with pillow filling, and you’ve got a cozy spot for your pet.
19. Dog sweater: A sleeve or the body of a small sweater can be cut down into a warm sweater for a small dog.
20. Box bag: Sew felted panels into a small, boxy zip pouch for kids’ treasures, toiletries, or craft supplies.

Tips for Upcycling Old Sweaters

• Use sharp scissors. Fabric shears give you cleaner cuts than all-purpose scissors, especially through thick felted wool.
• Try a ballpoint or stretch needle. Sewing machine needles made for knits slide between the fibers instead of snagging them.
• Stretch as you sew. A zigzag or stretch stitch has some give, so the seams won’t pop when the knit stretches.
• Save your scraps. Cuffs, collars, and small pieces make great flowers, cup cozies, and ornaments.

The next time you’re about to throw away or donate an old sweater, I hope at least one of these ideas will inspire you to give it a second chance!

Which of these sweater projects would you try first?