How to Turn Old Sweaters into New Crafts

Pay attention to the weave of the knit in order to make sure that it doesn't unravel when you cut pieces away from the whole. To ensure this, handle the scrap pieces gently after they're cut. Thread a large darning needle with yarn of a similar color and style, and use tight whip stitches (like those used on a baseball) to either sew sweater pieces together or create a tight hem around the edge. Trim loose ends only after hemming. Also, when looking for old sweaters to use in recycled sweater crafts, make sure you watch for any worn or frayed sections and avoid these.

Boiled Wool Pouch

Boil old recycled sweater material to create a soft, felting effect that obscures the rough weave, making it an excellent material for smaller sweater crafts. First, create a simple pouch by sewing together two rectangular pieces of sweater (one longer than the other to create a fold-down flap), then immerse the finished item in boiling water on a stovetop for a few minutes. The shape of the knit stitches will run together and the pouch will take on a fuzzy texture. The item will also shrink the longer you keep it in the water, so plan your size accordingly (it's good to try a test swatch with a scrap beforehand).

Hand Puppets

Make hand puppetcrafts from the forearm portions of old sweater sleeves. Cut off this half of the sleeve and tie the loose end closed. Turn this tube of fabric inside-out, then cut facial features from pieces of craft felt, foam, or buttons and beads, and sew them to the outside of the tube.

Throw Blanket

If you have several old sweaters to recycle, make a throw blanket. This is as simple as cutting rectangular portions from the front and back torso sections of the sweaters and sewing them into a single sheet, then hemming the outer edge together as a single unit.

Hats

Make stocking-cap style hat crafts from the upper arm portions of old sweater sleeves, especially from very large or baggy sweaters. Cut away the top half of the sleeve and hem the edge of the wide portion (where the sleeve connects to the body), then gather and darn the opposite edge to form the top of the hat. If you like, decorate the top of the hat with a pom-pom.