I’m a big fan of repurposing fabrics. One of my favourite things is upcycling sweaters for Christmas.
Woolen sweaters can be felted, which makes it an easy fabric to craft with, as it doesn’t fray or unravel.
This makes upcycling sweaters into Christmas ornaments and decorations easy as the fabric can be cut, stitched, or glued as normal craft felt.
When upcycling sweaters for Christmas, it’s good to look for sweaters in festive colors, of white/cream, green and red. Patterned sweaters/jumpers also work very well.
Other woolen clothing, such as socks and scarves, can also be upcycled into Christmas crafts.
By the way, in the UK, depending on where you come from, we call sweaters different names. The most popular term to use is a jumper, but they also get called pullovers and jerseys.
What Sweaters To Upcycle
When felting and crafting, I used to just look for sweaters to upcycle that had a high natural wool count (over 70%). However, I have found that other sweaters that don’t felt, can still be upcycled.
Sweaters made from synthetic fibers won’t felt. But they still don’t unravel when cut, if they were made on a knitting machine. This means that they can still be also upcycled into Christmas crafts.
How To Felt Sweaters For Upcycling
I think everyone has accidentally felted a sweater at some point. You know that time your favorite sweater somehow got caught up with the normal washing. When you pulled it out of the machine, it had shrunk so much that it would now only fit a toddler.
It’s happened to me more than once! Now instead of crying over spoilt wool, I put those sweaters aside for upcycling and crafting.
The basic formula for upcycling sweaters is to use garments with a high natural wool content (70% and above). The higher the wool content, the easier the sweaters are to felt, so 100% wool garments are the best.
The basic formula for felting sweaters is detergent, agitation, and heat. I felt my sweaters in a pillowcase in the washing machine like I did with my mountain sweater pillows.
The pillowcase is to catch all the loose wool fibers. To prevent them from clogging up the washing machine. Agitation is provided by the washing machine but can be increased by adding heavy jeans or spiky washing balls to your wash. Choose a hot water cycle on the machine to shrink the fibers.
Putting the washed sweaters in a tumble dries will also help shrink the fibers. There are more in-depth felting instructions here.
The Best Ideas For Upcycling Sweaters For Christmas
I have curated a collection of repurposed sweater crafts for Christmas. Some require felted wool sweaters, others don’t. There are projects that use whole sweaters and others that just use the smallest of sweater scraps.
Hopefully there will be a repurposed sweater craft here to inspire you!
A Christmas Tree Pillow Form A Sweater
You can't get much more festive than a Christmas tree. This is a fun pillow made from an old green sweater.
Wonderful Felt Christmas Tree Made From Sweaters
More Christmas trees. These ones are tabletop trees and made from sweater felt scraps.
Upcycled Felted Jumper Christmas Decorations
Its the wonderful Christmas pattern on the upcycled felted sweater, that makes these Christmas ornaments special.
Upcycled Sweater Stars - Free Pattern and Tutorial
Stars are always a popular Christmas decoration and not just for the top of the tree.
Easy Cookie Cutter Sweater Upcycled Christmas Ornaments
This must be one of the cutest ways to upcycle sweaters into Christmas ornaments. The shapes are made with cookie cutters.
Sweater Christmas Stockings
A lovely pattern to make cute handmade repurposed sweater Christmas stockings. I love the touch of color from the pom pom trims.
Simple to Make Repurposed Sweater Felt Garland
Don't throw away even the smallest of sweater scraps. They can be used to make these colourful felt garlands. Hang them on the tree or use them like a ribbon to wrap gifts.
Sweater Wreath Video Tutorial
How about upcycling an old sweater into a snowy looking wreath for the front door?
How To Make A Christmas Garland with Repurposed Sweater Balls
Another great way to upcycle sweater scraps. The balls are fun to make and can be used as ornaments or garlands.
DIY Sweater Wine Bags
Wine is a popular gift at Christmas. Instead of using gift wrap, use an old sweater to wrap the wine bottles.
How To Make Felt Tassels From Old Sweaters
These colourful felt tassels can be hung on the Christmas tree as ornaments, or used as gift toppers.
Upcycled Scandi Woven Hearts Garland
Hearts are an important element of Scandinavian Christmas decorations. These are made from my two favourite fabrics to upcycle, denim and old sweaters.
Thrifted Holiday Trees
Another fun way to make Christmas trees out of old sweaters.
10 Minutes Makes This Tomato Cage Gnome a Giant Porch Gnome!
Use your old red sweater and some tomato cages to make a giant Christmas gnome for your porch.
Scandi Felted Christmas Trees
Make this gorgeous mini Scandinavian forest for your mantle from an old cream sweater. This felt Christmas craft is very simple and affordable as it uses mainly repurposed materials.
Recycled Christmas Tree Ornament
This cute Christmas tree ornament is made from sweater scraps in a similar way to my funky felt garlands.
Upcycled Sweater Ornaments » Homemade Heather
It's the button detail, that makes these ornaments cute!
DIY Upcycled Sweater Wreath
Another cute sweater wreath. I love the perched owl.
Embroidered Sweater Ornaments Made by Hand
Cover an old bauble in sweater scraps and add your own embroidery.
Super Easy to Make Cute Norwegian Christmas Gnomes
More Christmas gnomes. The hats of these gnomes are made from old sweater scraps and the beards from a furry waistcoat.
If you liked this post, don’t forget to check out these upcycled denim Christmas ideas and wonderful Scandinavian Christmas crafts. You might also enjoy these cool adult crafting ideas, many of which are made from repurposed materials.
Debbee
So many fabulous ideas and DIY instructions too! I have made pumpkins out of sweaters and socks, but never felted them or turned them in Christmas decor. Pinned!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I’m glad you liked the ideas. Maybe next year you can make something for Christmas.
Marie Taylor
I love all of these ideas! I recently donated some sweater/jumpers and wish I had saved one or two to try the ornaments or trees! Congrats on your feature for the Happiness is Homemade party!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, and the feature is great.
Cherryl Ehlenburg
I love recycling old sweaters, and have several saved up. Thank you for all of the new ideas!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I’m glad you have seen something new and hopefully have been inspired.
Cherelle | The Inspired Prairie
What cute ideas for upcycling old sweaters! I always love homemade gifts the best 🙂
Thanks for linking up and sharing this post with us on our Embracing Home and Family-link up!
-Cherelle
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, sweaters are fun to upcycle they come in so many lovely colours.
Marielle
I’ve never thought of upcycling sweaters like this. You’ve shared so many cute ideas. I love the crossed heart garland. Also, genius to put the sweater in a pillow case for the washing! Have a great weekend!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, the sweater heart garlands are a favourite of mine too, they very Scandinavian and can be left up all year.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much Michelle, I think they will be staying up all year round. I have a few decorations that have stayed up after Christmas like my Marimekko table.