If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I broke my rule of waiting to decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. I normally never, ever, EVER decorate until after Turkey Day, but the holiday is a whole week later this year and I was getting antsy. And what really fueled the fire was that this is the first year my daughter asked to decorate with me (melt). I told her we couldn’t decorate until this coming weekend and she was not having it, she actually stormed into my husband’s home office and her big brown eyes filled up with tears and she asked if we could decorate NOW. Well, she has him wrapped around her little finger and he just couldn’t say no! :)
So we got down the boxes and started, little by little. I like to change-up my Christmas theme every year, last year I went with a Rustic Red and White Christmas, and this year I am going for a Classy Cozy Neutral Theme, filled with creams, silvers and champagnes and a little gray in there. And to add in that little cozy element, I’m planning on using a lot of recycled sweaters and today I’m showing you my first project, this easy and simple Cream Sweater Wreath.
I’m so excited to decorate for the holidays this year! This is one of my first projects for this season and I am ready to bring on the holiday crafting :)
Here is a quick tutorial on how I made the wreath. So think twice before parting with any more of your old sweaters!
A few weeks ago, I picked up a bag load of cream and gray sweaters at the Goodwill. And to make things even better, I went there on a good day because they were all 50% off!
For this wreath, I used a large straw wreath base, one of the cream sweaters with a nice collar and cable knit detailing, hot glue, and scissors. That’s it my friends.
I cut out the front panels to use around the base of the sweater. For this size of wreath, my panels needed to measure 9 inches wide to reach around the wreath. I pulled the edges tight together and secure them with hot glue.
Because of the shape of the sweater, I was left with a large hole at the top of the wreath. It was mainly in the back but I wanted to finish it off so I cut pieces from the back of the sweater and did a little patch work.
I made the bow from the collar of the sweater. I fold the thick pieces together and glued them, I cut it off and then cut the narrow front panel pieces off to use as the ends of the bow (apologies for not having a lot of pictures of these steps).
I’m looking forward to making more fun projects using sweaters for my Christmas decor! And best part is, they will transition well to Winter!
About Taryn Whiteaker
Taryn Whiteaker is the voice of style behind TarynWhiteaker.com (formerly Design, Dining and Diapers) ! Taryn is a previous PR/Marketing professional who got back to her creative roots after becoming a mom and now shares her passion for home decor and design for the world to see. Taryn lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband and three kids and loves coffee, the outdoors, and exploring with her family.
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says
November 25, 2013 at 3:42 amSo cute, Taryn! I’ll be gathering up all of the kiddos old sweaters for sure now!
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline says
November 25, 2013 at 4:25 ampretty! I don’t usually have very good luck finding good sweaters at our Goodwill but this year I found a really pretty burgundy one. I’m using it for another project but maybe it will end it’s life as a wreath!
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
November 25, 2013 at 4:27 amLove this so much! Pinned!
Dannyelle @ www.lifeisaparty.ca says
November 25, 2013 at 4:45 amThis turned out great, excited to see more of your great theme this Christmas.
Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says
November 25, 2013 at 5:39 amAbsolutely gorgeous! I love it. Thanks for sharing and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
cassie says
November 25, 2013 at 6:43 amso cute! i love the cream and cable!
Gina says
November 25, 2013 at 6:43 amSuper cute!!!! Gotta love a good bargain that feeds creativity :)
Carol W. says
November 25, 2013 at 6:55 amCute and creative! Love re-purposed decor and crafts. Thank you for sharing.
Christine says
November 25, 2013 at 7:41 amAdorable! Last year I picked up some of those sweaters at The Salvation Army to use for pillows and I never used them! I found some cable knit pillows for less work at Marshalls!! But this got me thinking about some things we could make for the tree. After all, a glue gun makes the job so much easier! Happy holidays! I hope you’re enjoying that little baby!
ingrid@nowathomemom says
November 25, 2013 at 7:43 amoh, what a nice idea, I really love it Taryn! need to start looking for old sweaters now! :-)
Carrie A. says
November 25, 2013 at 7:57 amOh, I just love the sweater wreath! Love your theme for this year, too!
Michelle says
November 25, 2013 at 10:33 amBeautiful! Love the muted tones for Christmas. And the sweater wreath is so original. I’m sure we’ll be seeing them all over the place now!
Chelsea says
November 25, 2013 at 4:31 pmBeautiful and so wintery, Taryn. Love it!
JaneEllen says
November 25, 2013 at 10:00 pmI’m thinking everybody that buys at our local thrift store must have heard about making wreaths with sweaters cause any good ones have been long gone, drat it. I keep looking but no luck. Haven’t been to goodwill lately tho. Maybe I’ll have to try them. Hope so as I’d love to try this. Looks pretty simple even for me, old goofy fingers. Your wreath is great, love the versatility also.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Taryn
Alli says
November 26, 2013 at 10:08 amI love your sweater wreath! I never would have thought to use old sweaters to make a wreath, but I’m going to start looking for some. Beautiful!
Jenn says
November 26, 2013 at 10:12 pmSo pretty! I haven’t had any luck picking up a white sweater from Goodwill. Guess I better keep on looking!
Megan @ Our Pinteresting Family says
November 27, 2013 at 12:48 amWhat a beautiful project!
Paula@SweetPea says
November 27, 2013 at 3:28 amI like the idea of a neutral theme for Christmas and it is going to be great to be able to use this wreath throughout the winter months.
Denise... On a Whim says
November 27, 2013 at 7:18 amSo pretty and cozy! Love! Definitely pinning now :)
Jessica@designerssweetspot.blogspot.com says
November 27, 2013 at 2:27 pmYour wreath is just beautiful! Such a great idea!
Krista @thehappyhousie says
November 27, 2013 at 3:09 pmThis is so pretty Taryn – I love it! Pinning!
Maggie A says
November 28, 2013 at 1:58 amThis is such a super cute idea!
xo
Maggie A
LOVEMAVIN.COM
Heather says
November 28, 2013 at 9:11 amGorgeous! Love the texture the knit gives and the white is perfect for a wintery look! Shared!
Angela says
November 29, 2013 at 5:42 amThanks for this tutorial! I was looking at some cable sweaters at the thrift store last month wondering if I could make a wreath. (I was trying to find some fur for that purpose….but came up empty handed.) I bought a sweater but was stuck on the best way to go about it. Seeing your wreath helps a ton.
Alexis @ Persia Lou says
December 2, 2013 at 11:28 amGorgeous! I’ve got to get myself to the Goodwill! :)
Brittany says
December 3, 2013 at 5:07 amLove this! It add some coziness to your decor for sure!
Kim Anderson says
December 3, 2013 at 8:32 amI love this idea. I will be making this this weekend. Can’t wait to hit the thrift store to find the perfect sweater to make it match my decor. Thanks for sharing with great pictures and step by step instructions!
Kristin says
December 14, 2013 at 12:45 amVery cute! I just got a bunch of sweaters that I want to make into stockings and this gives me another great idea! I love that instant cozy-feel from looking at a sweater project/decor!
Nancy says
May 12, 2016 at 6:03 amI’m going to grab bargain sweaters at yard sales this summer and make these for my friends for Christmas. Great idea! Thanks.