How To Make Sweater Pumpkins
A friend of mine talked about making pumpkins out of old sweaters and it intrigued me enough to want to learn how to make sweater pumpkins out of my favorite sweater. Even though that favorite sweater was threadbare and had holes, I was STILL wearing it because it was so comfy.
This is your chance to create something cool out of the old sweaters, sitting in your closet! Sweater Pumpkins are super easy to make with just a few supplies and a tad bit of time.
Sweater Pumpkin Supplies
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- Old Sweater
- Jute
- Poly-Fil
- Yarn or Crochet Thread
- Yarn Needle
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (for the glue gun)
How To Make Pumpkins From Old Sweaters
It’s so fun how many ways you can create pumpkins and fall decor! These 4X4 Wood Pumpkins were super easy and thrifty to make if you’d rather create pumpkins out of wood!
Be sure to watch the video below on how to DIY Sweater Pumpkins!
- Cut a 10″ length (depending on the sweater) from the sleeve.
- Turn the sleeve piece, inside out.
- Use jute or yarn to tie off one end of the sleeve piece.
- Turn the sleeve piece, right side out.
- Fill the sleeve with Poly-Fil, making sure to keep the tied-off end, centered, at the bottom.
- Tie the top off with jute (leave it attached to the jute roll – don’t cut it), leaving a 1″ – 2″ tail of the sleeve, at the top for the stem.
- Tightly wrap the jute around the sleeve tail to create a stem and use a hot glue gun, to adhere it.
- When your pumpkin stem is the right height, cut the excess sleeve tail off, to form a flat top.
- Fill the flat stem top with hot glue and coil jute to fill the top.
- Once the top is filled with jute, cut the jute.
- Thread about an arm’s length of yarn or crochet thread on a yarn needle to create veins in the pumpkin.
- Make a big knot at the end of your yarn or crochet thread.
- Poke the needle through the top of your pumpkin, near the stem. It doesn’t matter much if you start at the top or the bottom.
- Squish the pumpkin top and bottom together until the needle pokes through the bottom, at the center.
- Pull your yarn tight and either tie off at the bottom or keep a firm hold on the yarn, so it doesn’t loosen up.
- Poke the needle through the top of your pumpkin, in the next spot you’d like to have a pumpkin vein and poke through the bottom, pulling tight.
- Repeat the previous step, until you have as many veins as you’d like. I created five veins in my pumpkins.
- Holding your yarn firm, tie it off, at the bottom, to keep it snug and in place.
That seems like a LOT of steps but it is an easy process, to create these fun Sweater Pumpkins.
So easy and fun that I couldn’t let the body of my favorite sweater go to waste, and created a big pumpkin out of it!
Then, I tried using an old pair of jeans to make a Jean Pumpkin! I like the way it turned out but it was pretty difficult to poke the yarn needle through denim. I might try it again with a different needle.
I have to say … I laughed at the first pumpkin I made … it seemed kind of weird but they’ve grown on me and I am now enjoying using them as fall decor!
You can also make sweater pumpkins using carvable pumpkins instead of Poly-Fil.
Why You Should Upcycle Sweaters To Make Sweater Pumpkins
Making sweater pumpkins is not just a creative way to decorate for fall, it’s also a fun way to upcycle. By upcycling old sweaters, you’re giving new life to clothing that would have gone to waste. This project encourages reusing items already in your home to create new things you can enjoy.
When you craft with upcycled materials, you create meaningful decor that can be enjoyed year after year or useful items that bring comfort like this quilt made out of dog bandanas.
It is super easy to make Sweater Pumpkins out of an old sweater, jute, yarn, a yarn needle, Poly-Fil, and a glue gun.
How To Use DIY Sweater Pumpkins
There are many uses for these upcycled sweater pumpkins from decor to gifting or selling! Check out the ideas below on creative ways to use these sweater pumpkins.
- Centerpieces – Use these pumpkins as part of a fall-themed table centerpiece. You might also want to consider a DIY Pumpkin Planter.
- Mantel Decor – Arrange a group of three pumpkins on a mantel with other fall decorations.
- Care Packages – Add a sweater pumpkin to a fall care package or Thanksgiving care package to help the recipient decorate for fall.
- Decorative Pillows – Place larger sweater pumpkins on the couch next to your other fall-themed decorative pillows.
- Craft Fair – Sell these DIY pumpkins at a craft fair.
- Craft Party – Host a fall craft party and provide the supplies to make these sweater pumpkins.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Fall Ideas
- DIY Pumpkin Planter: A Step-By-Step Guide For Fall Decor
- How To Make Sweater Pumpkins
- How To Make 4 X 4 Pumpkins
- How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree
- Fall Word Search
- Fall Crossword Puzzle
- Fall Word Challenge
- Free Fall Coloring Pages
- Printable Fall Activity Sheet
- Cozy Fall Microwave Popcorn Tag
- Fall Care Package Printables
Hi! I’m Bridget!
I create printables and DIYs to help you get organized and celebrate special occasions! It’s my mission to inspire you to get creative and find joy in the everyday!
