I've had a stack of felted sweaters sitting around since last winter (you know, wool sweaters that have been sometimes purposely, sometimes not purposely, shrunk for crafting purposes) . I finally got around to doing something with them, and I'm so glad I did, because it's getting chilly outside! Here's an easy tutorial for upcycling a felted wool sweater into a super cute neck warmer with a felted flower accent. So go through your closests or make a quick trip to the thrift shop for a wool sweater and felt it, then join us for this easy project, just in time for the cold weather!

Felted Sweater Neck Warmer Tutorial

Supplies
*Wool sweater (60-100% wool) that has been felted (washed in hot water with high agitation)
*Rotary cutter and mat (or scissors)
*Needle and thread
*Magnet or pin back for flower

1. You're going to use the bottom half of your sweater for your neck warmer. Fold it up so the bottom cuff almost reaches the armpits. Using a rotary cutter, ruler, and mat, cut the top half of the sweater off where it meets the upturned cuff. That's it! Unfold it, then fold it in half with wrong sides together. No need to hem the cut edge. Since it's been felted, it won't fray!


Add a flower accessory to spice things up.



Felted Sweater Peony Flower Tutorial


1. Cut 4-5 free-hand flowers out of your felted sweater (you don't even need a pattern, just cut 5 loose petals). If it has been properly felted, the edges will not fray when you cut them.

2. Fold your first flower in half.


Then in half again.


3. Using a needle and matching thread, sew several stitches through the bottom to secure.


4. Fold another flower like the first, and stitch it to the first flower, using several stitches. Repeat with remaining flowers until your blossom is full and even.






5. If you want to use one of my magnets to secure your flower to your neckwarmer, cut a circle of felt slightly larger than the metal piece of the magnet set. I originally used a piece of my sweater for this purpose, but then it was too thick for the magnet to work well when I attached it to my neck warmer! So I suggest using felt or other fabric instead.


6. Sandwich a piece of tulle between the flower and the circle of felt, and sew the metal piece of the magnet set into the middle using a whip stitch. Or you can simply stitch a brooch pin to the back and call it good (but then you're limited to what you can attach it to!).



I glued a ribbon bow to my completed flower for a little more foofiness. Voila! Attach it to your neck warmer and you'll be cozy and stylish.



This to-die-for felted flower pin was made by my dear friend Bethany over at Ribbon, Glitter and Glue. I am in love with this pin. She simply cut three circles out of different felted sweaters in slightly different sizes. Tuck a little tulle in between one of the layers, add a vintage milk cap and a vintage-y button and stitch through all layers with a needle and thread. Sew a magnet into the back in the same manner as above, or sew on a brooch pin.


This felted flower pin is also fun just on a winter coat!