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.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.
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.
Wool sweaters are only one of any upcycling fabrics that can be used for home DIYs and crafts.
Or if you want more free sewing patterns subscribe to allfreesewing.com.
IOANNA
Friday 19th of May 2017
I love recycling old clothes and making pillows.I have made some clouds-pillows,owls,pumpkins (http://mpiskotoupoli.blogspot.gr/2016/06/summercreativitycompetition.html).I love yours!!!
Claire Armstrong
Friday 19th of May 2017
Thank you, your cloud pillows look great.
Keri
Friday 27th of January 2017
Claire, this round up of sweater pillows is great! They're all so creatively made!
Claire Armstrong
Friday 27th of January 2017
Cheers and thank you!
Julie
Thursday 26th of January 2017
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
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 26th of January 2017
I'm lucky in that I have a steady supply of jumpers for projects, my mum and aunt keep on accidently shrinking them in the wash.
Melissa
Thursday 26th of January 2017
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. :)
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 26th of January 2017
Thank you Melisa!
Liz W.
Thursday 26th of January 2017
These are super cute! What a fun idea! Thanks for sharing with us over at Funtastic Friday!
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 26th of January 2017
Thank you and thanks for hosting!