DIY Recycled Cozy Sweater Pillow Tutorial

Remember back a few months ago when I created this 5 Minute Pillow Covers post and said that I seriously create pillow covers like this all the time? Well, I wasn’t lying.

Yesterday I decided that I wanted to try to create a cozier pillow cover for a crappy old pillow that no longer matched my decor. I found an old sweater that I had bought in high school (why do I keep clothes for so long!?) and decided to recycle it into a brand new item. So, enter the sweater pillow cover…

I wish I had some old chunky cable knit sweaters because I think those would look so awesome transformed into pillows. But hey, maybe you have one and can try it! Here’s how to do it… It follows the same basic steps as the 5 Minute Pillow Cover tutorial so check that out for more in depth explanations.

First you’ll need an old sweater and an old pillow. Mine had this half-assed purple cover on it that had seen better days, so I removed it to unveil an even uglier blue pillow…

Use the front of your sweater for the front piece of the pillow. Just place the pillow on the sweater and cut around it. The sweater knit stretches so no need to add on any inches for “give”.

Use the back of your sweater for the back pieces. I wanted to leave this thick hem detail as a part of the envelope style enclosure (why not give it a bit of pizzazz right? haha), so I lined up my front piece with the beginning of the hem. Add 2 inches to the other side of the back piece as well and cut to size.

Once you’ve cut out your back piece a few inches longer than the front piece, fold it and cut it in half. Again, I’m just following the same steps in my other tutorial.

I decided that the front of the sweater was a little too worn and pilled looking for my liking so I made the inside of the sweater the outside of the pillow. Place your front piece face UP on a table and then layer your first back piece (with the hem) face DOWN on top of it. Place the other piece face DOWN on top of that one, making sure the edges all line up as best as you can. Pin them together. You can trim any uneven pieces after.

Sew all the way around the edges, flip inside out, and insert your pillow!

Wasn’t that easy? How cute would these be for Christmas using old holiday sweaters or nordic ski sweaters? Recycled lodge style that doesn’t cost a thing! If you make one, I’d love to see it!

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By Dana Fox

Founder of the Wonder Forest blog and brand and bestselling author of the Watercolor With Me book series.

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