Upcycling Old Knits into New Home Accessories

Why Felted Jumpers Make Perfect Home Accessories

Every UK knitter and crocheter has a drawer of jumpers that have seen better days. Perhaps the elbows have gone thin, a moth has nibbled a small hole, or an accidental hot wash has shrunk a favourite lambswool jumper into doll-sized proportions. Before you banish them to the textile bank, consider this: wool that has been felted – deliberately shrunk and thickened – becomes a wonderfully stable, non-fraying fabric. It cuts like felt, stitches beautifully, and holds its shape without hemming. That makes it ideal for home accessories that need to be durable, cosy and practical. Cushion covers, coasters, hot water bottle covers and pet beds are all within reach, and each project keeps a little more wool out of landfill.

Choosing and Felting Your Jumpers

Not every jumper will felt. You need animal fibres: wool, alpaca, mohair, cashmere or a blend with at least 70% of these. Superwash wool, acrylic, cotton and most synthetic blends will not felt – they may soften or pill, but they will not thicken into a solid fabric. British breeds such as Shetland, Bluefaced Leicester and Welsh wool felt particularly well. Check the label, then test a small swatch if you are unsure.

To felt a jumper, place it inside a zipped pillowcase or a net laundry bag. Put it in the washing machine with a small amount of biological detergent – no fabric conditioner – and add a pair of old jeans or a few tennis balls for agitation. Wash at 60°C on a long cycle. Check every ten minutes after the first twenty. The fibres will begin to mat together, and the jumper will shrink by roughly 20–30%. When the fabric looks dense and you can no longer see individual stitches, stop the cycle. Rinse in cool water, spin gently, then air dry flat. Do not tumble dry unless you want further shrinkage.

Cosy Cushion Covers from Felted Jumpers

A felted jumper makes a beautifully textured cushion cover, especially if you use the ribbed cuffs or collar as a feature. Measure your cushion pad. For the front, cut a piece the same size plus 2cm seam allowance all round. For the back, cut two overlapping pieces: each should be the full width plus 2cm, and half the height plus 10cm. This creates an envelope opening – no buttons or zips needed.

• Pin the front and back pieces right sides together, overlapping the back flaps.
• Sew around all four sides with a 1cm seam, using a zigzag stitch or overlocker to prevent fraying.
• Trim corners, turn right side out, and press lightly with a cool iron.
• Add a decorative button or a contrasting blanket stitch around the edge using tapestry wool.

If you prefer hand sewing, use a simple running stitch and then a blanket stitch over the raw edges. The felted wool will not unravel, so a neat finish is easy to achieve.

Simple Coasters and Mug Rugs

Small scraps of felted jumper are perfect for coasters. Cut circles or squares about 10cm across. Layer two or three pieces together for thickness and absorbency. Stitch around the edge with a blanket stitch in a contrasting wool yarn, or use a machine zigzag. A single layer works for a mug rug, but double layers protect your table from hot mugs better. You can also cut a hot water bottle cover from a large sleeve: simply sew the cuff end closed, slide the bottle inside, and add a flap with a button. These projects take less than an hour and make thoughtful gifts.

A Snug Pet Bed for Your Furry Friend

For a simple mat bed, cut a large rectangle from a felted jumper – around 60cm by 40cm for a cat or small dog. Layer it with a piece of wadding or an old towel, then sew around the edges, leaving a gap to turn. Slip stitch the gap closed. For a donut bed, cut two large circles of felted knit, about 60cm in diameter. Sew right sides together, leaving a 10cm gap. Turn right side out and stuff with scraps of felted jumper, old pillow filling or clean tights. Slip stitch the gap. Then create a raised rim by sewing a long tube of felted knit around the outer edge and stuffing it lightly. Cats especially love the natural lanolin smell of wool, and the bed is machine washable on a cool gentle cycle if you use a removable inner cushion.

Finishing Touches and Caring for Your Makes

Embellish your upcycled accessories with embroidery, appliqué or simple buttons. Use wool yarn for any stitching, as synthetic thread can cut through felted fibres over time. To clean your finished items, hand wash in cool water with a gentle detergent, reshape while damp, and dry flat away from direct heat. Never put them in a hot wash or tumble dryer, or they will felt further and lose their shape. Store woollen accessories with lavender or cedar blocks to deter moths. Every tiny scrap – a cuff, a collar, a sleeve – can become a coaster, a cat toy or a patch for another project. Upcycling old knits is not just thrifty; it is a satisfying way to fill your home with handmade warmth and give tired wool a practical second life.