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You are here: Home / Crafts / How to Make a DIY Felt Rug Out of Recycled Sweaters

How to Make a DIY Felt Rug Out of Recycled Sweaters

14th February 2018 by Claire Armstrong 87 Comments

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DIY sweater felt rug

I do love a quick DIY and craft but equally, sometimes I like to take it slow. That’s what I did with this DIY felt rug.

It can be really satisfying to take your time in making something and seeing it gradually blossom into a gorgeous finished product. That way you also get to enjoy the actual therapeutic art of crafting as well as the results.

What I’m trying to say that this rug took me ages to make but it was fun and I really enjoyed making it!

It all started when my Mum turned up at Christmas not only laden with presents but a bag full of old wool sweaters in gorgeous colours for my upcycling stash. To me, this pile of jumpers in pinks, reds, and purples was actually the best present.

As I had quite a few sweaters (5) I decided to recycle them into a DIY felt rug. Especially as all the colours blended well together.

I didn’t actually measure how long the rug took to make as I did it in dribs and drabs over a couple of weeks. But I would say I probably spent approx 10 hours on it.

It was easy to make the rug in small chunks at a time. Also, the method I used was pretty straightforward. So I was able to multi-task by catching up on some box set tv shows at the same time.

Mind you it had to be gentle TV, something like “Call The Midwife” nothing that required too much concentration or anything with subtitles.

Pink Red rug made from old sweaters


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Upcycle Sweaters Into A Gorgeous DIY Felt Rug

What you need to make a felt rug

  • Wool Sweaters – I used the equivalent of 4-5 sweaters for this felt rug. They should be at least 70-80% wool. Mine were mainly cashmere and some lambswool. You can also use scrap pieces of felt or sweater felt for this DIY too!
     
  • Rotary cutter 60mm
  • Cutting mat
  • Metal Ruler
  • Fabric glue – I used about 2 pots of fabric Mod Podge
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks – I used about 30 glue sticks.

How to make a sweater felt rug

1. The first thing I did was felt the sweaters by putting them in a hot wash in the washing machine. Like I did with my sweater mountain cushion.

2. Next, I cut the felt up into strips about 7mm wide. I used a cutting mat a metal ruler and a rotary cutter to ensure that all the strips of felt were even.

This was probably the most time-consuming part of the craft. As well as the sweaters I had felted I added strips of felt from my bag of scraps to this pile.

Rotary cutter mat felt strips

3. Note you can make the strips thinner or wider for the felt rug, but whatever size you choose that will be the thickness of your rug.

If you are a bit short on felt then if you go for 5mm strips. You will, of course, get more strips from the sweater. So you will be able to make a bigger rug.

To make things easier, the felt strips were sorted into different coloured piles.

Whatever thickness you choose, be consistent so all the felt strips will be the same size.

7mm strips of sweater felt in red and purple

4. Next, this part to me is the fun bit of this DIY rug. First, take one strip of felted sweater wool and paste one side with fabric glue. Then, roll it up into a tight spiral.

Then, take another sweater felt strip in a different colour again cover one side with fabric glue. Then wrap this strip of felt around the first felt spiral. I used pins to keep the ends of the strips in place as the glue dried.

quilling felt strips for diy felt rug
Quilling sweater felt for a diy rug

5. Next, carry on adding strips of felt to the spiral and it will slowly get bigger and bigger.

There is no set pattern or order of colour in which to add the felt strips. I think it looks good to create different sized rings of different coloured felt in a random way.

That is a personal preference I’m not into symmetry. But if you like symmetry then perhaps you may want to be more specific in the colours and lengths of felt strips you add.

DIY sweater felt rug quills

6. Next, these felt spiral mats form the bases of the DIY felt rug. The more of them you make the larger the final rug will be.

(If you want you can just make one giant felt spiral and have a large round rug.)

I wanted to make a rug that was made up of several of these mini felt spirals. So I made several of these felt mats in different sizes and some were perfect circles others were more oblong.

For the next part, you will want to join these rug mats together to make one large rug. I found that it was better to use a hot glue gun for this stage. Or Gorilla Glue contact adhesive clear works well too.

felt rug mats

7. Next, design how the final felt rug would look. Do this by laying out the felt mats in the arrangement that appeals to you.

You will find that there are some big gaps in between where the circular mats join. Just make some smaller felt spiral shapes to plug these gaps. Some might even end up being a slightly odd shape.

Once you are sure of the layout. Stick the mats together with hot glue or a good waterproof contact adhesive such as Gorilla glue.

The one advantage with a hot glue gun is that glue dries very quickly. Therefore, it is easy to hold the shapes together in the design you want as the glue dries.

Using glue gun to glue felt mats together

8. Then, when all the small felt mats have been stuck together, glue large strips of felt around the outside. These strips will bring the whole DIY felt rug together.

Carry on adding these connecting strips until you either run out of them or the felt rug reaches the size you want.

9. Finally, to finish off this DIY rug, pick off any glue threads from the top of the rug. I recommend also spraying the rug with a fabric protector.

DIY felt rug from recycled sweaters

Top Tips and FAQ’s about the DIY Rug

Won’t the glue make the rug hard?

The glue can make the rug a bit stiff, for a softer feel leave the top 2-3mm of each felt strip glue free as you stick them this will give the rug a softer feel underfoot.

Another option is to stitch the felt strips together instead of gluing them.

Can I wash the rug?

I don’t recommend sticking the rug in the washing machine. However, you will be able to sponge away any dirt. But to protect the rug in the first place I strongly suggest spraying the rug with Scotchguard.

Scotchguard will protect the rug from general spills they will just run off and not soak up.

We don’t wear shoes in our home which also helps protect our rugs.

What if I don’t have enough wool sweaters?

One of the good things about this rug is that the way it is designed it is possible to add to it at a later date if you want to make it bigger or if you get some more felt sweaters.

I used the equivalent of about 5 sweaters for this rug. However, that didn’t include the arms. I saved these to make a DIY knot pillow to match the DIY felt rug.

What else can I make using this method?

If you don’t have enough sweater wool to make a whole floor felt rug you can make small items for your home. Such as drink coasters, placemats and doormats.

I combined the colourful sweater felt strips with the seams of old jeans to make some gorgeous upcycled fabric placemats for my dining room table using this spiral method.

Some of the felt strips are too small is there anything I can do with them?

If you have any tiny pieces of felt leftover, don’t chuck them out use them to make gorgeous felt garlands.

Felt Decoration garland Pillarboxblue.com


 

Sweater felt rug in pinks and red

I’m so pleased with my new rug, the colours just look gorgeous together and really go well with my decor. I’m sure I will be adding to it at a later date when my mum hands me her next pile of old sweaters.

I definitely think that this is one upcycle that was worth the extra effort as the rug is such a unique piece that looks fabulous on my wooden floors.

Sweater felt rug in lounge

Both the combination of the colours of the sweaters and the spiral shapes makes the rug look a bit like a giant geode. Personally I think it looks a bit like a stick of seaside rock.

I do like this geode spiral look which inspired me to make a painted wood slice rustic heart to match the felt rug.

I do like to make my own rugs from upcycling fabrics and old clothes. I have also made a no-sew DIY denim waistband rug and another denim handmade chevron rug.

DIY sweater felt rug

You will find a lot more clever upcycling ideas in this comprehensive list.

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY Upcycling, Sweaters Tagged With: diy rug, felt, felt rug, felted sweaters, jumpers, no-sew, recycled sweaters, rug, sweater rug, sweaters, wool rug

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lana

    24th February 2021 at 12:27 pm

    Wool Sweaters – I used the equivalent of 4-5 sweaters for this felt rug. They should be at least 70-80% wool. Mine were mainly cashmere and some lambswool. You can also use scrap pieces of felt or sweater felt for this DIY too!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      24th February 2021 at 1:02 pm

      Thank you

      Reply
  2. Tracy

    22nd January 2019 at 12:00 pm

    What a lovely and creative recycling project! Thanks for sharing it! Can I ask? How well does it hold up to use? Or is it better in a low-traffic area?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      22nd January 2019 at 1:28 pm

      Thank you. My son currently has it in his roomy at university and he says it’s held up well. However, I wouldn’t have it in a high traffic area.

      Reply
  3. SHEILA

    6th December 2018 at 1:24 pm

    I love the pattern. But wouldn’t a felted rug start to pill when subjected to wear and tear? I would hang it on the wall instead.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      6th December 2018 at 2:29 pm

      Thank you, Sheila. My son currently has it in his room and college and it’s holding up well so far. But I don’t think it’s the sort of rug you walk across with shoes on.

      Reply
  4. Jodie

    28th May 2018 at 12:34 am

    “Hello Claire. Great tutorial 🙂 I especially like your idea of using recycled sweaters. Have included it in our Crafty Like Granny weekly Craft roundup. I’m sure our readers will love it! https://craftylikegranny.com/crafting-happiness/ Cheers Jodie 🙂
     “

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      28th May 2018 at 1:08 pm

      Thank you, Jodie. I look forward to seeing it.

      Reply
  5. Rosie (@greenrosielife)

    28th March 2018 at 4:23 pm

    I absolutely adore this and I am seriously wondering if I could make something even half as nice myself. Our eco-gite (eco-friendly holiday cottage) needs a new rug and I have only either found ones that are too thin/small or the wrong colours or too big or perfect but way too expensive. I am now feeling inspired!

    A fabulous post to add to #GoingGreen and I hope you’ll be able to join in with the next linky when it opens on Easter Monday. Happy Easter!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      28th March 2018 at 7:12 pm

      Thank you so much. You should give it ago. Happy Easter!

      Reply
  6. Rosa MM

    16th March 2018 at 1:01 am

    This is a piece of art. Wow!!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th March 2018 at 6:53 am

      Ahh thank you, that’s very kind of you to say so.

      Reply
  7. Kathy

    15th March 2018 at 4:08 pm

    LOVE this rug!! It looks so amazing. Can this rug be washed since it is glued together?
    thanks for sharing this beautiful project
    Kathy

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th March 2018 at 4:12 pm

      Hi Kathy, thank you. Yes, it can be washed with cool water even though it is glued. Fabric glue is washable.

      Reply
      • Name*

        6th December 2018 at 6:35 pm

        So do you brush the fabric glue on the entire length of felt before rollining it? At first I took it that you only glued where you started, and each additional piece added on?

        Reply
        • Claire Armstrong

          7th December 2018 at 7:23 am

          I brushed the glue along the entire length of the felt.

          Reply
  8. Beth

    15th March 2018 at 2:49 pm

    I love this!! So beautiful!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th March 2018 at 2:59 pm

      Thank you so much Beth.

      Reply
  9. Vivek Soni

    10th March 2018 at 3:07 pm

    this is a great utilization of old sweaters. and its pretty amazing that you are recycling the old things to make such cool stuff

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th March 2018 at 3:30 pm

      Thank you, Vivek.

      Reply
  10. maria

    7th March 2018 at 4:47 pm

    This is so pretty and amazing! I love that you used old sweaters. Great recycle project.
    Maria

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      7th March 2018 at 8:56 pm

      Thank you, Maria.

      Reply
  11. Emily

    28th February 2018 at 8:46 pm

    This is SO incredible!! I can’t believe this is all made from sweaters! Thanks for sharing with Merry Monday this week 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      28th February 2018 at 8:51 pm

      Thank you so much ?

      Reply
  12. Diane

    27th February 2018 at 5:54 am

    I am so in love with the color! And I agree on one of the comments here, it looked like something that could be hung on the wall.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      27th February 2018 at 7:26 am

      Thank you so much. It does brighten up a room.

      Reply
  13. Emily @DomesticDeadline.com

    23rd February 2018 at 11:22 am

    This is stunning! I love that you can add to it in the future. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd February 2018 at 5:40 pm

      Thank you so much ?

      Reply
  14. Jenny Kakoudakis (@SeasonsInColour)

    23rd February 2018 at 8:45 am

    It’s 8.30am… catching up with everyone’s posts… drinking coffee… then open this post… then eyes pop… intrigued… keep scrolling… missed something…. go back… re-read…. oh so that’s how you glue them together…. WOW! An eye opener that you can recycle soooo much (I wish we lived nearby, I could probably be your continuous source of recycling material!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd February 2018 at 10:43 am

      Thank you, Jenny. I hate waste especially when it’s been something lovely and once loved like a bright coloured soft jumper. That’s why I love to repurpose stuff and bring it back to life once again.

      Reply
  15. the cape on the corner

    21st February 2018 at 5:23 pm

    wow, that is awesome. i love quilling, and have never seen it as a rug before!
    b

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      21st February 2018 at 11:27 pm

      Thank you, that’s where I got the idea from quilling.

      Reply
  16. Julie

    21st February 2018 at 5:14 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous, it looks a bit Kandinsky – esk to me and I’m a big fan so that’s a good thing!
    I love the fact that this is such a versatile idea, different colours, different size circles and the look could be totally different.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      21st February 2018 at 5:15 pm

      Yes, you can even add to it at a later date. I’m currently saving all my blue jumpers for a blue version. Thank you!

      Reply
  17. Denise Bryant

    21st February 2018 at 3:54 am

    Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing it with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link party. Can’t wait to see what you are up to this week.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      21st February 2018 at 7:20 am

      Thank you Denise. I look forward to linking up.

      Reply
  18. Mum in Brum

    20th February 2018 at 10:14 pm

    Wow that’s so creative, what a fabulous idea. I’d never think to do that! And you’ve got to love a bit of Call the Midwife 😉 #HomeEtc

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      21st February 2018 at 7:19 am

      Thank you, Call the Midwife is my Sunday treat.

      Reply
  19. Cecilia

    20th February 2018 at 1:12 am

    So creative, Claire! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th February 2018 at 6:38 am

      Thank you, Cecilia.

      Reply
  20. Sam- Raggedy Bits

    19th February 2018 at 9:15 pm

    Such a fabulous idea Claire!!! Would never have thought to use old sweaters this way! Turned out so beautiful!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th February 2018 at 6:37 am

      Thank you, Sam.

      Reply
  21. creativejewishmom/sara

    19th February 2018 at 7:09 pm

    WOW WOW WOW Claire another truly unique project that looks amazing! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling sunday!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th February 2018 at 8:03 pm

      Thank you Riva, and thanks for hosting.

      Reply
  22. Lins @ Boo & Maddie

    19th February 2018 at 3:29 pm

    Do you find that you always have the materials lying around to embark on a project or do you find bits and pieces at second hand/jumble sales etc? I’m so in awe of your creativity and wondering if I could put my no longer needed things to better use. Thank you for sharing with #HOmeETc X

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th February 2018 at 3:37 pm

      Hi Lins, I keep all old jeans, wool sweaters and maps for repurposing. My family knows I love to craft with these things so they also hand me their cast offs. I also can’t walk past a skip without looking in. I very rarely need to go to a jumble sale. I just stash it in my loft until I feel inspired.

      Reply
  23. Susan

    19th February 2018 at 7:09 am

    You are so clever! This rug is fab

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th February 2018 at 1:10 pm

      Thank you, Susan.

      Reply
  24. Louisa

    18th February 2018 at 9:22 pm

    This is gorgeous. It reminds me of the growth rings you see in bark when a tree is cut down. Great job! #handmademonday

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th February 2018 at 6:35 am

      Thank you, I see what you mean about the tree rings.

      Reply
  25. Fiona Mostyn

    18th February 2018 at 7:41 am

    I love it! This is so colourful and creative. What a great project.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th February 2018 at 7:48 am

      Thank you, I do like a bit of colour.

      Reply
  26. Pati

    18th February 2018 at 7:17 am

    Oh my gosh this rug looks trylly amaizng !!! I love it so much

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th February 2018 at 7:47 am

      Thank you, Oatti.

      Reply
  27. Stacey Sheppard

    18th February 2018 at 12:33 am

    I’d never have thought of using sweaters in this way. Very clever.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th February 2018 at 7:47 am

      Thsnk you, Stacey. I’m always looking for new ways to use old sweaters.

      Reply
  28. Tamsin Allen

    17th February 2018 at 9:24 pm

    This is an awesome idea! The colours look so great together and it looks easy to do. Or you make it seem easy, which is slightly different. 😉

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th February 2018 at 7:46 am

      Thank you Tamsin, it is easy but time consuming.

      Reply
  29. Michelle Leslie

    17th February 2018 at 6:36 am

    This little boho gypsy heart of mine is doing a wild woman dance right now Claire. I LOVE your sweater rug so much. All those glorious colors and mad little swirls are too perfect.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      17th February 2018 at 7:31 am

      Thank you Michelle, I did get a bit carried away with the swirls.

      Reply
  30. Katie

    17th February 2018 at 2:15 am

    That is stunning! You have such talent. I am inspired

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      17th February 2018 at 7:30 am

      Ahh, that’s very kind of you. Thank you!

      Reply
  31. Tanya Derrey Bingham

    16th February 2018 at 10:18 pm

    BEAUTIFUL!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      17th February 2018 at 7:29 am

      Thank you ?

      Reply
  32. Virginia

    16th February 2018 at 1:15 pm

    I LOVE your rug! Pinning.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th February 2018 at 6:36 pm

      Thank you so much and thanks for the share.

      Reply
  33. Susan

    15th February 2018 at 7:43 pm

    Oh, this rug is absolutely gorgeous. I adore repurposed craft projects and you have definitely hit this one outta the park! Thanks so much for sharing at the This Is How We Roll Link Party.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th February 2018 at 8:03 pm

      Thank you Susan. Repurposed crafts are my favourite, and there are so many wonderful things you can make from old sweaters.

      Reply
  34. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled

    15th February 2018 at 3:35 pm

    Wow, cool project! I’m sure this was very time-consuming but well worth the effort.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th February 2018 at 7:34 pm

      Thank you, Victoria. It was a slow craft but can be done in stages so very manageable.

      Reply
  35. Cathy

    15th February 2018 at 2:17 pm

    I love this!! Do you think parts of it could be sewn instead of all the glueing?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th February 2018 at 2:26 pm

      Thank you! I don’t know you could try and sew it. I just decided to glue it as I thought it would be easier and I have had great success with gluing felt before.

      Reply
  36. kristen marek

    15th February 2018 at 1:59 pm

    Love the colors of your rug! Did you also make the blanket hanging off the couch in the photo??? I love it!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th February 2018 at 2:25 pm

      Thank you, the blanket is from Anthropologie.

      Reply
  37. Trish

    14th February 2018 at 6:03 pm

    Claire, that rug is a piece of art! I think I would have hung it on a wall. Always love your projects.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th February 2018 at 6:37 pm

      Thank you Trish, Happy Valentines DaY ❤️

      Reply
  38. Wendy

    14th February 2018 at 1:39 pm

    you’ve wowed me again, Claire. This is absolutely amazing! How beautiful.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th February 2018 at 2:18 pm

      Thank you, Wendy it is one of my favourite makes too!

      Reply

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