13 Old Sweater Upcycles So Cozy You Will Never Toss a Sweater Again

Old sweater upcycles are the coziest way to give a tired knit a brand new life. We all have that one sweater with a stretched neck, a small hole or a shrunken fit that we just cannot throw away because it holds so many memories. Maybe it was Dad’s favorite or the one you wore on every snow day. The good news is that soft wool and chunky cable knit are perfect for crafting. With a pair of scissors, a few pins and some simple stitches, an old sweater can become a bed for your cat, a pillow for your couch or a stocking for Christmas morning. Videos of these projects are being shared by thousands of people this fall. Pull that sweater out of the donation bag, because one of these ideas is about to steal your heart..

Old Sweater Upcycles Start With a Cozy Cat Bed

If your cat already steals your sweaters, this project will make them very happy. A round pet bed made from an old sweater is one of the most loved old sweater upcycles online, and it takes less than an hour. You stuff the sleeves to make a soft bolster, then curl them around the body of the sweater to form a little nest. The knit holds your scent, which helps nervous pets relax. Remove all buttons, tags and loose threads first so nothing can be chewed off. Your cat will claim it in minutes..

You will need: An old crew neck sweater, a small pillow or polyester stuffing, needle and thread or safety pins, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Turn the sweater inside out and sew the neck hole closed. 2. Push a small pillow into the body of the sweater. 3. Stuff both sleeves with stuffing. 4. Wrap the sleeves around the pillow in a circle and stitch the cuffs together at the front.

Sew a Sweater Pillow Cover

Pillow covers are some of the easiest old sweater upcycles for beginners. A chunky knit pillow from a home store can cost a lot, but the one hiding in your closet is free. Lay a pillow insert on top of the sweater, cut around it with a little extra room, then sew the sides. If you keep the ribbed bottom of the sweater at one edge, it becomes a ready made opening. Mix cable knits, ribbed knits and solid colors for a layered look on your couch. Which sweater color would match your living room?

You will need: An old sweater, a pillow insert, pins, scissors, a sewing machine or needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Turn the sweater inside out and lay the pillow insert on top. 2. Pin around the insert, leaving one inch extra. 3. Cut and sew around three sides. 4. Turn it right side out, slip in the pillow and stitch the last side closed.

Turn Sweater Sleeves Into Boot Cuffs

Boot cuffs are a sweet fall fashion trick, and sweater sleeves are already the perfect shape. Just cut the ribbed cuff end off each sleeve, about six inches long, and slip them over your boots or leggings. The ribbing keeps them snug, so there is very little sewing. A cream cable knit looks classic, while a bright color adds a fun pop. This is one of the quickest old sweater upcycles you can make before a fall walk. Which boots will you dress up first?

You will need: An old sweater with ribbed sleeve cuffs, scissors, needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Measure about six inches up from each sleeve cuff. 2. Cut straight across both sleeves. 3. Fold the raw edge under and stitch it so it will not unravel. 4. Slip the cuffs over your boots with the ribbing folded down.

Old Sweater Upcycles for the Table: Felted Coasters

Wool sweaters that accidentally shrunk in the dryer are secretly perfect for coasters. That thick, felted fabric does not fray when you cut it, so you can trace a mug and snip out circles in minutes. Add a simple blanket stitch around the edge in a contrasting yarn for a handmade touch. A set of four tied with twine makes a lovely little gift for a neighbor or teacher. Have you ever shrunk a sweater by mistake?

You will need: A 100 percent wool sweater, a mug to trace, a fabric marker, sharp scissors, a yarn needle and contrasting yarn.

How to make it: 1. Wash the wool sweater in hot water and dry it on high to felt it. 2. Trace circles with a mug. 3. Cut them out. 4. Sew a blanket stitch around each edge.

Make a Dog Sweater From an Old Sweater

Small dogs feel the cold fast, and an old sweater sleeve or body can become a snug coat in one afternoon. Cut the sleeve for tiny dogs, or use the sweater body for bigger pups, adding two leg holes near the top. A quick video of this exact trick got more than 84 thousand likes on Instagram. Measure your dog first and leave room to move. Never leave buttons or loose threads on pet clothes, and watch your dog the first time they wear it. Is your pup ready for sweater weather?

You will need: An old sweater, a soft tape measure, chalk, scissors, needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Measure your dog’s chest and back length. 2. Cut a tube from the sleeve or body to match. 3. Mark and cut two small leg holes near the neck end. 4. Fold and stitch all raw edges so they will not unravel.

Stitch Cozy Knit Pumpkins

Knit pumpkins are the softest fall decor around, and they cost nothing if you use an old orange, cream or rust sweater. Cut a circle, gather the edge with a running stitch, stuff it and pull it tight. Then wrap yarn around the outside to make the pumpkin ridges and push in a cinnamon stick or a twig for a stem. They look darling in a bowl or along a mantel. For more pumpkin fun with zero carving, try these no-carve pumpkin ideas. How many will you make?

You will need: Sweater pieces, a bowl to trace, stuffing, strong thread, a needle, yarn or twine, cinnamon sticks or twigs.

How to make it: 1. Trace and cut a circle about twice as wide as you want the pumpkin. 2. Sew a running stitch around the edge. 3. Fill with stuffing and pull the thread tight. 4. Wrap yarn around it in sections and glue a stem on top.

Old Sweater Upcycles You Can Wear: Mittens

Sweater mittens are warm, soft and full of memories, which is why many families make them from a loved one’s old sweater. Trace your hand with your thumb out, add a little room, and cut two layers for each mitten. The cuff of the sweater becomes the cuff of the mitten, so you skip the hardest part. Fleece lining makes them even warmer. These are among the most heartfelt old sweater upcycles you can give as a gift. Whose sweater would you turn into mittens?

You will need: An old sweater, paper and pencil for a pattern, pins, scissors, a sewing machine or needle and thread, fleece for lining (optional).

How to make it: 1. Trace your hand with the thumb out and add half an inch all around. 2. Place the pattern so the wrist sits on the sweater’s ribbed cuff. 3. Cut four pieces and pin them in pairs. 4. Sew around each mitten and turn it right side out.

Make a Christmas Stocking From a Sweater

A red, cream or fair isle sweater makes the coziest Christmas stocking you will ever hang. Draw a stocking shape on paper, place the top edge on the sweater’s ribbed hem and cut two layers. Sew around the sides, add a loop of ribbon for hanging and you are done. It looks like it came from a cabin in the mountains, and it is one of the most festive old sweater upcycles of all. Make one for each family member from their own old sweater for a sweet tradition. Who in your family has the perfect sweater for this?

You will need: An old sweater, paper for a pattern, pins, scissors, a sewing machine or needle and thread, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Draw and cut a stocking pattern from paper. 2. Pin it with the top on the ribbed hem and cut two layers. 3. Sew the sides and bottom with the right sides together. 4. Turn it out and stitch a ribbon loop at the top corner.

Wrap a Vase or Jar in a Sweater Sleeve

This might be the easiest project on the list. Slide a sweater sleeve over a plain glass vase, a candle jar or a can, fold the top edge inside and you have instant cozy decor. Fill it with dried flowers, cotton stems or pine branches for the season. Group three in different colors on a table for a centerpiece that feels warm and inviting. Use battery candles only inside these, since knit fabric can catch fire. Which jar in your cupboard will get a sweater?

You will need: An old sweater sleeve, a glass vase or jar, scissors, a little fabric glue, dried flowers or battery candles.

How to make it: 1. Cut the sleeve a little longer than the vase. 2. Slide it over the vase from the bottom. 3. Fold the top edge inside the rim and secure it with a dot of glue. 4. Fill with dried stems or a battery candle.

Old Sweater Upcycles for Your Hair: A Knit Headband

A twisted knit headband keeps your ears warm without messing up your hair, and the bottom ribbed band of a sweater is the perfect piece for it. Cut a long strip, twist it once in the middle and sew the ends together. It takes about fifteen minutes and looks like something from a boutique. Make one in every color for school mornings and winter walks. This is one of the simplest old sweater upcycles for teens to try on their own. What color would you pick?

You will need: An old sweater, a soft tape measure, scissors, needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Measure around your head and subtract one inch. 2. Cut a strip of sweater about four inches wide and that long. 3. Fold it in half lengthwise and twist the two ends once. 4. Sew the ends together and turn the seam to the inside.

Sew Soft Sweater Slippers

Cold floors on winter mornings are no fun, and sweater slippers are like a hug for your feet. Trace your foot on paper, add a little room and use it as a pattern for a sole made of felt or an old yoga mat. Then cut the top from a thick sweater and stitch them together. The sweater cuff makes a snug ankle. Add non-slip dots to the bottoms so nobody slides on hard floors. Who in your house always has cold toes?

You will need: An old thick sweater, felt or a thin non-slip mat for the sole, paper and pencil, scissors, needle and strong thread, non-slip fabric paint dots.

How to make it: 1. Trace your foot and add half an inch for the sole pattern. 2. Cut two soles from felt and two tops from the sweater. 3. Pin and sew the tops to the soles. 4. Add non-slip dots to the bottom and let them dry.

Stuff a Draft Stopper With a Sweater Sleeve

A long sweater sleeve, or two sewn end to end, makes a cute draft stopper for the bottom of a door. Fill it with rice or dried beans in a bag for weight, plus a little stuffing for shape, then sew the ends closed. Practical old sweater upcycles like this one block chilly air and can even help lower your heating bill a bit. Add felt ears and eyes to make a sleepy dog or a dachshund for a playful touch. Which door in your home lets in the coldest air?

You will need: One or two sweater sleeves, a zip bag of rice or dried beans, stuffing, needle and thread, felt scraps (optional).

How to make it: 1. Sew the narrow cuff end of the sleeve closed. 2. Slide in the bag of rice and add stuffing around it. 3. Sew the open end closed. 4. Lay it along the bottom of the door.

Old Sweater Upcycles With Heart: A Patchwork Throw

Saving the best for last, a patchwork throw made from several old sweaters is a true family heirloom. Cut squares from each sweater, arrange them like a puzzle and sew them into rows. Back it with soft fleece and you have a blanket full of stories. Many people make one from a loved one’s sweaters as a memory blanket, and it often brings happy tears. It is the most meaningful of all these old sweater upcycles. Whose sweaters would you want to wrap up in?

You will need: Six to ten old sweaters, a square cardboard template, a fabric marker, scissors, pins, a sewing machine, a fleece blanket for backing.

How to make it: 1. Cut equal squares from each sweater using the template. 2. Lay them out and sew them into rows. 3. Sew the rows together. 4. Pin the fleece backing on, sew around the edges and tie a few knots through the layers to hold it.