Looking for ways to upcycle an old sweater without sewing? This is fast and easy, taking a too-small or holey sweater into a simple cowl/hood! You *can* sew the edges as a hem, if you want, but after washing and drying the wool it’s pretty unnecssary. You could embroider some snowflakes along the edge and it would make a pretty gift, too! Lots of sweaters have holes along the cuff or in the armpit, and this DIY avoids both those issues without wasting the entire sweater.
That is a whole lotta orange in the original sweater. Yikes! I love how cozy the cowls are – we spend lots of time hiking and playing at the playground, even in winter, so having several options to rotate through and wash is a huge plus.
If you’re ready to make one for yourself, check out my tips on shopping to upcycle or refashion and then hit up your local thrift store. You could even use sweater scraps in stripes, and make a color blocked version!
Steps:
- Find a wool/cashmere blend sweater sized Small or Medium. Wash cold & hang dry! I don’t do dry-cleaning.
- Cut with sharp scissors or a rotary cutter in a straight line under the armpits.
- Fold, and wear! The knit fabric shouldn’t fray or unravel unless you really pick at it – the washing machine helps to felt it a bit. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could do a blanket stitch or serge around the edge.
This is another version I made a long time ago and have worn often. I like being able to pull it up in the snow!
You’ll be left with some wool scraps – make some soft hand warmers with my heart-shaped tutorial or browse this list of ways to use up felt scraps. I try to generate as little trash as possible, even when upcycling, some bits and pieces of this sweater will live on as stuffing inside my son’s giant dump truck pillow (free pattern here!).
Check out what else I made with this orange sweater, using a recycled sweater slippers pattern.
Amy Mayen says
Great idea Stephanie! I think I have a few sweaters that are just taking up space. And I LOVE scarves!!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
There is no such thing as too many scarves, right!
Mae says
I love how you can pull it up over your head in the second photo, so clever! I really dislike that many of my coats don’t have hoods, problem solved!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
I love hoods!
Deanna {sewmccool} says
LOL – I think I have the same sweater. Great idea …. I need to purge some of my older sweaters and make them more useful. π
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Ha!! I bet orange looks much better on you with your blonde hair. That color family tends to make me look ill, so I can only wear it sparingly.. like in a scarf!
Ajaire says
Such a great idea Stephanie! I have a few old sweaters this would be perfect for.
Donna says
I love this idea! I have a couple of sweaters that just don’t fit correctly through the shoulder and bust area. They would be perfect for upcycling. Thanks for the tip!
JessiBerry says
I wish we had snow!
I like this idea, something to do to my old sweaters that don’t fit anymore! π
Amy says
Your faces always crack me up π
Kristin says
I love this idea! And, since I can’t sew, it’s finally something I can do!!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Anyone can do this, I promise π All you need are scissors!
Chelsea says
Really great idea. Loving that orange sweater look. Glad it became a cowl instead.
Melissa says
You are too cute! I love the ease and pop of color. Orange is such a hard color to embrace. I LOVE it on my daughter, but not so much on me.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
I LOVE orange but I have to use it sparingly in clothes – otherwise it makes me look ill, haha!
Robin says
That’s a great upcycle for a sweater. I’ll have to try it out.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Robin! Hope you do π
Terri says
Great idea for a quick and easy way to upcycle and accessorize! BTW-I love your expressions!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
haha – have to keep it interesting, right! Thanks Terri!
acw says
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. MY FOUR GIRLS DON’T LIKE TURTLE NECKS AND I HAVE HAD TO GIVE THEM AWAY. GREAT IDEA. ALSO GREAT FOR GIFTS.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks so much! It would be a great gift, and inexpensive too π
Lynn H. says
Great upcycle project!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Lynn!
Kelly says
So excited to find this just in time for Christmas. I’m going to make these for my hard to buy for hubby who has to stand in the cold to wait for the bus to take him to work. Plus, (hopefully) he’ll think of me when he sees the heart shape.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
I’m thinking you meant to leave this on my handwarmer post, haha, but yay! I hope he likes them!