The Best Upcycled Old Sweater Pillows Tutorials

Great Ways to Make Amazing Sweater Pillows

Sweater Pillows: Old wool sweaters are great for crafting as they can easily be felted and felted wool is perfect for transforming into lovely soft cozy pillows (cushions).
 
 
If you are a lazy sewer like me then felt is the perfect fabric for you. Unlike other fabric, felt doesn’t fray which is great as there is no need for seams and the fabric can easily be glued. It is also a dream to hand sew.
 
 
Felting sweaters are ridiculously simple and I do it all the time mostly by accident. Like when I mistakenly put my (often favourite) sweater in a hot wash and it shrinks to a toddler size. As everyone else in my household (except me thankfully), are over 6 foot tall these felted sweaters end up in my crafting pile.
 
 
If you want to deliberately felt an old wool sweater there are more details here. However, if the wool sweater you are using is machine knitted rather than hand-knitted there may be no need to felt the sweater first. As long as the sweater doesn’t unravel when cut.
 
I have compiled my favourite upcycled sweater pillows.
 

 
 
 
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1. Upcycled Sweater Mountain Cushions (Pillows) – Pillar Box Blue

 
As a child, I lived on the top of a mountain (all be it a small one). However now I probably live the flattest area of the UK. I really miss the mountains. In homage to my love of the mountains, I made these cute mountain cushions.
 
 

 
 
 

2. Upcycled Sweater Pillow Cases – Maiden Jane

 
I love these chunky sweater pillows, the button detailing adds interest and the pocket can be used to hold the remote.
 
 

 
 
 

3. Valentine’s Sweater Pillows – In His Grip

 
Nevermind Valentine’s day these pillows will look great all year round. I especially love the heart shaped pink pringle sweater.
 
 

 
 
 

4. Upcycled Sweater Bunny Pillows (Cushions) – Pillar Box Blue

 
Another holiday themed pillow idea are these Easter bunnies to add a bit of fun to your home decor.
 
 

 
 
 

5. Fish on Friday Sweater Pillow – Dieraumfee
 
This sweater pillow has definately got that Hygge cozy thing going on, not just because it’s on a Danish website.
 
The muted greys and neutrals give it a definite Scandi vibe. If you don’t have a sweater big enough to make a pillow this would be a great one to do as you can make it with all your felted wool scraps.
 
 

 
 
 

6.Fabulous Frida Kahlo Cushion – Pillarboxblue

 
Another one of mine, this time inspired by the great iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The gorgeous felt flowers are made from the felted sweater scraps of other upcycled wool projects. The tassels are even made out of repurposed old jeans.
 
 

 
 
 

7. Upcycled Christmas Tree Pillow – Pillarboxblue

 
This is a fun festive sweater pillow for the Christmas season.
 
 

 
 
 

8. DIY Knot Pillow From Old Sweaters – Pillarboxblue

 
This knot pillow was made from the sleeves of old wool sweaters left over from my felt rug made with recycled sweaters. You can have a bit of fun and try out several different knots with this pillow.
 
 

 
 
 
Don’t forget to hang on to your old wool sweaters to turn into an amazing pillow. I also think ugly Christmas sweaters make for great Christmas pillows.
 
 
There are so many more things you can make for the home out of old sweaters such as, a felt rug, sweater upcycled Christmas ornaments, a patchwork sweater blanket, and even a repurposed felt succulent garden. Check out these and many more upcycled sweater crafts here.