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The Best Upcycled Old Sweater Pillows Tutorials

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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.
The best upcycled and repurposed DIY 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.

Mountain cushion Tutorial- Made from upcycled sweaters

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.

Valentines sweater pillows

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.

Upcycled Sweater Bunny Pillows - Pillarboxblue.com

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.

sweater pillow

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.

Free pattern for a felt flower Frida Kahlo cushion

7. Upcycled Christmas Tree Pillow – Pillarboxblue

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

Christmas tree pillow made from old sweaters with pom pom decorations

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.

Upcycled sweater celtic knot 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.

Or if you want more free sewing patterns subscribe to allfreesewing.com.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Julie

    That’s spooky, because I was in the Charity shop just the other day looking for a jumper I could felt for a cushion cover. I’ve not found one yet but I will continue my search – and now I have more ideas to choose from- thanks! #HandmadeMonday

    Reply

  4. Melissa

    I love the sweater pillow with the pocket! I bet I can find some great sweaters at a resale shop. The ugly Christmas sweater pillow is a GREAT idea. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂

    Reply

  18. Jill

    Love the mountain pillows! Also love the arran cable jumper ones, wishing now that I’d kept the cardies Mum made me when I was little!
    Jillxo

    Reply

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