8. Sweater Felted Pillows and Mittens
Outgrown, shrunk, or thrifted wool sweaters are absolute goldmines for cozy winter crafts. When wool sweaters accidentally go through a hot wash cycle, the fibers lock together in a process called felting, creating a thick, dense, unravelling fabric that is exceptionally warm and easy to sew without finishing the seams.
To make a chic throw pillow for your living room sofa, start by finding a felted wool sweater in a complementary color scheme. Cut away the sleeves and side seams to yield large flat panels of wool fabric. Cut two matching squares or rectangles from the felted sweater material. Place the right sides facing together and sew around all four edges, leaving a small opening so you can turn the pillow cover right-side out. Insert a pillow form or stuff it with polyfill, then hand-stitch the opening closed. You can embellish the front of the pillow using buttons cut from the sweater’s original placket, felt appliqué flowers, or embroidery. The rich texture of the felted wool instantly upgrades your home decor with cozy, hygge-inspired charm.