How to Felt Leaves from Thrift Store Wool Sweaters

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Learn how to felt leaves from thrift store wool sweaters to add to pumpkins for a cozy fall look for your home.

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Thrift Store Makeover Day

I made these felted leaves way back in 2014. They were used for a fall wreath. I used the wreath for a couple of years but later dismantled it. Luckily, I saved the leaves.

I come across these each year as I unpack my fall decor.

This year I decided to break out the leaves to use on a few of my faux pumpkins for a fall look on the screened porch.

What Kind of Sweaters

You cannot create these felted leaves with just any kind of sweater.

You will want to search the thrift store for sweaters that are 100% wool.

This will ensure that you get that boiled wool look.

I remember buying these sweaters. I really liked all of them and hated not just keeping them to wear myself, but I really didn't need them.

Supplies Used

• old sweaters
• laundry detergent
• washing machine
• leaf pattern
• scissors
• straight pins
• pumpkins
• yarn
• wide-eyed needle
• Book on felting crafts if interested

How-To

You have my permission to wash these sweaters in HOT water.

Yes, you heard me right.

Wash the sweaters in your washing machine in hot water with detergent to start.

Felting closes up the fibers, shrinks the wool, and gives it a stiffer shape. This allows you to cut out shapes.

This is a horrible, old photo. This is what the sweaters looked like after felting.

I washed them once with detergent and 2 more times with no detergent.

The sweaters will shrink to about toddler size and become quite fuzzy and thick. Think boiled wool jacket look.

After you have washed them at least 3 times in the hottest water setting, let them air dry.

This is an up-close photo of how the weave will now look.

Pin the leaf pattern to the right side of the felted sweater and cut it out. You will be left with a leaf that has a raw edge. This is ok. The leaf will retain its shape.

Attaching to the Pumpkins

I am so glad that I kept the autumn leaves. They are so cute. I used scrap yarn to create veining on 2 of the leaf patterns.

I did not remove the pins from where I had them attached to the wreath. They were all rusted and falling apart. They've been in the attic for quite some time.

Pliers were definitely helpful when removing the old pins.

I simply clustered them together.

A straight pin secured them to the top of my faux pumpkin.

Pumpkin Porch Vignette

This look came together in under 5 minutes.

I love the cozy, homespun look for the porch.

You can customize the look of your decor based on the sweaters you find at the thrift store.

It definitely gives you a one-of-a-kind look for your fall decor.

Who knew you could get so creative with thrift store sweaters? Crafting felted leaves out of old sweaters is a fun DIY project that’ll have everyone admiring your fall décor. I encourage you to make extra leaves. You can use them as little decorations in surprise places around your home – wreath decorations, napkin holders, and much more! With a few simple steps and some thrift store finds, you’ve got yourself a winning fun craft. Give it a try this season and let me know how it goes – I'd love to see what kind of magical creations you make with felted leaves from secondhand sweaters!

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Thanks for sharing!