DIY Sweater Pumpkins: How to Make Pumpkins from an Old Sweater

DIY sweater pumpkins made from an old sweater for cozy fall home decor

It's that time of year when I like to add cozy decor and little details into my home, and nothing says cozy better than a sweater! We love to wear them to get cozy, so why not use them to add a little cozy to your home too, right?

Plus, I love a good upcycle craft! This project can be done using any old sweater, either from your closet or one you find at the thrift store. There are so many fun ways to repurpose old sweaters, and this DIY sweater pumpkin is such a cute way to turn an old sweater into cozy fall decor.

I recently shared how to make a cute framed piece of decor using a sweater, and today I'm using that same sweater to show you how to make a pumpkin! And, because the little details are always my favorite, I'm also sharing a bonus tutorial for how to create this cute little curly-q stem. :)

Supplies:
Sweater sleeve
Poly-fill
Jute
Scissors
Small rubberbands or rainbow loom ties
Decoupage Medium (optional for stem)
Old cream sweater being repurposed into DIY sweater pumpkins
Step 1:
Cut sleeve to be about 8 inches. Can be smallere or bigger, just play around with it! Turn sleeve inside out.
Preparing an old sweater to make an easy sweater pumpkin craft
Step 2:
Add small tie to very end of one side.
tying rubberband on an old sweater to make an easy sweater pumpkin craft
Step 3:
Flip the inside back out.
turing sweater sleeve inside out to make an easy sweater pumpkin craft
Step 4:
Add Poly-fill into sleeve. Add enough to get it firm, but not so full. You need about 3 inches left on the top (see image in step 5)

Step 5: 
Add small tie to top to secure.
Filling sweater fabric to create a pumpkin for an upcycled fall craft
Step 6:
Tie one side of jute on stem, and then bring it around the "pumpkin" 3 times, creating a "pie" effect. Every time you go around, go around the stem at least one time. (you can see the full how-to on this by watching my youtube video)
Adding a twine stem to a handmade sweater pumpkin
Step 7:
Now take jute all the way up the stem and secure in place with some hot glue.
Handmade sweater pumpkins styled with dried flowers

Step 8:
Take about a 12-18 inch piece of jute, and soak it in decoupage medium. Wrap it around a pencil or pen. Let dry half way...not all the way! Half way is important because it will make it so much easier to push down off the pencil and yet keep it's shape. Let dry, and then glue onto pumpking stem.

create curly q stems for diy pumpkin made from sweater
I add a little hydrangea flowers to mine to pull the look together. 
Neutral sweater pumpkins and dried flowers arranged as cozy fall home decor
Depending on the width of the sleeve will make different sizes of pumpkins. A larger sleeve, bigger pumpkins, a kids size sleeve will result in smaller pumpkins.
DIY sweater pumpkins made from an old sweater for cozy upcycled fall decor

Close-up of cozy knit sweater pumpkins with twine stems and dried flowers

I just love how these little sweater pumpkins turned out! They are such a fun way to repurpose an old sweater and add a little cozy texture to your fall decor. And honestly, I think the curly-q stem might be my favorite part. It just gives the pumpkin that extra little something!

If you have an old sweater sitting in your closet or find one at the thrift store, don't pass it up. There are sooo many ways to turn old sweaters into cute home decor instead of sending them to the trash. I'm having way too much fun coming up with these upcycled sweater projects, so stay tuned for more ideas in this series!

Here's the first project I did using the sweater this year, click on the image to view it:
diy upcycled sweater decor for a cozy home with sweater in small frame
You can see all of them from the past few years here:

Or watch my Youtube video to see more ideas as well! 
pin for later:
Easy DIY sweater pumpkin craft made by repurposing an old sweater into cozy fall decor.

Old sweater repurposed into decorative pumpkins for a cozy upcycled fall home decor idea.



0 comments

happy DIYing! Alicia