11 Clever Ways to Repurpose Old Sweaters into Christmas Decorations

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Doesn’t the holiday season have a way of sneaking up on us? Here one moment you’re basking in pumpkin spice everything, and the next you’re hauling out the Christmas decorations. What if this year, you breathed new life into something you already have in your possession, rather than hitting the stores for new trimmings? Take old sweaters, those comfy friends you probably don’t wear anymore, love them too much to throw them out, or maybe they don’t fit quite right anymore, and turn those sweaters into cheerful, warm, holiday décor.

Not only does upcycling sweaters make your decorations personal, but it is also money-saving and prevents wastefulness. Additionally, it’s fun to make your own decorations with those you love during these chilly evenings. Now, let’s look into some creative ideas to help you get started.

Sweater Stockings

Make your mantel rustic and homemade by making Christmas stockings out of old sweaters. All you do is cut out a stocking shape from the sweater fabric, sew the pieces together and maybe make a cuff or a little embellishment. Ideal for storing smaller gifts these stockings add a subtle yet textured charm to your décor.

Sweater Ornaments

Convert sweater scraps into cute and cozy ornaments. Old baubles can be wrapped in sweater fabric or stuffed into small sweater pouches to make mini pillows. Add a ribbon, and you have made a handmade ornament that feels like a little hug for your tree.

Sweater Pillows

Snuggling up with a few festive throw pillows says nothing but holiday comfort. A simple way to add a little warmth and seasonal charm to your room is to cover your cushions with sweater fabric. If you want to go all out, wear sweaters in holiday colors.

Sweater Wreaths

An old sweater could be such a star on your front door. Wrap sweater material around a foam wreath base, gluing with hot glue. Embellish with pinecones, bells, or faux greenery, it’s an eye-catching eco-friendly option. DIY wreaths are a top search on Pinterest during the holiday time of the year, so your guests will take notice of your creativity.

Sweater Tree Skirts

Did you wrap your Christmas tree in something fancier than your standard store bought tree skirts? You can stitch together pieces of sweater fabric to come up with your own tree skirt that has that homemade, homey feeling.

Sweater Candle Holders

Wrap sweater scraps around glass candle holders to add a nice little warm glow to your home. This is an easy project that will make your hygge inspired modern-day shelter for chilly December nights. Of course, be sure to keep the fabric clear of open flames (safety first)!

Sweater Garland

Make a garland that feels like a hug with sweater fabric cut into festive shapes like stars, trees, or hearts, and string together. It’s playful and inviting, so hang it along your mantel, staircase, or windows.

Sweater Coasters

Get stylish and practical with your holiday gatherings by making coasters out of old sweater material. Glue the fabric onto cork backing, trim the edges for a round or square finish, and then you are done! These are perfect coasters to protect your surfaces and have some winter charm.

Sweater Bottle Covers

Turn sweater sleeves into bottle covers and gift wine or cider in style. To make a thoughtful, reusable gift wrap, slide a sleeve to the bottle, secure the neck with a ribbon; it’s that simple. This is a great conversation starter and a hit at holiday parties.

Sweater Plushies

Old sweaters make it into adorable holiday-themed plushies for families with kids. Stitch together your cut-out shapes like snowmen, reindeer or elves and stuff them for a soft and cuddly decoration or an unusual gift!

Sweater Advent Calendar

Why should you buy an advent calendar when you can make your own? Use tiny treats or notes in sweater pockets or sewn pouches from sweater fabric. Tie them to a string or board and count down days in style. Fun fact: According to Statista, the survey conducted by them showed that advent calendars are a part of the holiday traditions of almost 60% of U.S. homes, which makes this a very popular, and very meaningful, project.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.