Turn an Old Sweater Into a Pumpkin!

5 Materials
$1
10 Minutes
Easy
Got old sweaters? You can use them to create really cute pumpkins for your home decor this autumn. And no sewing is involved! It's simple, fast, and fun.

First, gather your materials. I used several different "autumn colored" sweaters, but you can use whatever works for you! It doesn't matter what they are made of -- cotton, wool, polyester is all fine.
To make a small pumpkin, just cut the sleeve off the sweater. (You can also make medium- and large-sized pumpkins -- see my tutorial link at the top for where to cut.)
Turn the cut sweater sleeve inside out.
Cut off a long length of thread (at least two yards) and tie the bottom edge of your sweater together tightly. Tie at the cut edge, not the cuff edge.
Glue the bottom edge of the sweater to keep it in place.
Turn your sweater right side out, with the thread hanging out the top.
Stuff your sweater with fiberfill or even just cut up sweater scraps.
Cut a one inch notch at the top of your sweater edge, right next to the seam.
Allow the thread to come out the side at the notch. Pull tightly (but don't break it).
Gather the top edge of the sweater and tie your thread around it tightly, at least one inch down from the edge.
Begin wrapping your thread around the sweater ball, from top to bottom, several times. This creates the segments of the classic pumpkin shape. Pull the thread tightly to create the shape. Aim for 6-8 segments.
Once you've got all your segments defined, wrap the thread around the top section to create the stem of the pumpkin.
Glue the end of the thread in place so it doesn't unwrap.
Cut out leave shapes in a contrasting color of sweater and glue them to the top of your pumpkin.
Display your cute sweater pumpkins with pride.
Suggested materials:
  • Old sweaters   (Thrift store and my closet)
  • Fiberfill   (Craft store)
  • Embroidery thread (pearl cotton 8) or twine   (Craft store)
See all materials
Jennifer Maker
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Ardale Ardale on Aug 26, 2017

    These pumpkins are so cute but I'd like to ask since your using old sweaters to make them out of how do you keep your cut ends especially on the leaves from unraveling?

  • Lisa VanKuren Evers Lisa VanKuren Evers on Oct 14, 2017

    the white pumpkin, what part of the sweater did you use to make a larger pumpkin? thank you and a very cute idea.

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