DIY Sweater Pillow Cover

This post is sponsored by Method. All content and opinions are my own.

Learn how to make a DIY Sweater Pillow Cover with this fun tutorial!

When I lived in San Francisco, my favorite thrift store had a huge selection of cashmere sweaters. Have I mentioned how much I love cashmere?!? I really can't get enough.

The prices were great, and I found a few gems that were hardly worn. I got a little carried away though and bought a few that didn't really fit. After wearing these sweaters a few times, they slowly made their way to the back of my closet. I brought these sweaters with me when I moved to New York, thinking that I'd use them for a craft project.

Well, I'm finally putting those sweaters to use. I made a gorgeous DIY sweater pillow cover with a little help from method!

If you're looking to add a little luxury to your home, this pillow cover is the perfect way to do it! It turned out so soft and cuddly that all I want to do is lounge in bed! Plus, the color perfectly coordinates with my existing pillows.

DIY Sweater Pillow Cover

I used cashmere for my pillow cover, but any tightly knit fabric would work. A cabled sweater would be especially pretty. You'll find a ton of options at your local thrift store or even in your closet.

Are you a fan of thrift shopping? If so, you are probably familiar with that secondhand smell ... ewww. Enter method's new 4x concentrated laundry detergent!

Not only is this naturally derived laundry detergent super effective, but the smell is amazing!  It's the perfect way to get rid of that musty thrift store scent.

How to Make a Sweater Pillow Cover

Back to pillows. Want to make your own DIY cashmere sweater pillow cover? Here's what you'll need:

• cashmere sweater
• scissors
• large sheet of paper
• ruler
• sewing pins
• thread
• cardboard scrap
• yarn for tassels
• sewing needle
• pillow form

Start by hand washing your sweater (a must for cashmere). Just fill a sink with cool water and add a few drops of method detergent in the fragrance of your choice. I'm partial to ginger mango!

If your sweater isn't cashmere, check the care label. You may be able to use a machine instead of hand washing it.

Let the sweater sit in the soapy water for about 10 to 15 minutes, then drain the sink and press out the water (avoid twisting the sweater). Gently rinse out the sweater, then lay it on a towel. Roll up the towel and press out any excess water. Air dry the sweater before proceeding.

After the sweater is dry, cut it apart at the seams, separating the front from the back. You can discard the arms or use them for anther project.

Cutting the Sweater

Measure your pillow form to determine the cushion cover size. Knit fabric is stretchy, so I recommend making the cover slightly smaller than the actual pillow. That way it won't be saggy if it stretches out a bit. You will also need to add a ½-inch seam allowance.

For example, my pillow form was 14-inches square. I wanted my finished pillow cover to measure 13-inches. Create a pattern using the paper (tape multiple pieces together, if necessary). My pattern measured 13.5-inches square once I added the ½ inch seam allowance.

Lay the pattern on your sweater (do one side at a time) and pin it in place. Carefully cut out the sweater, then remove the pins and repeat on the other side.

Sewing the Pillow Together

Sandwich the two pieces with right sides together. Then pin the two sides together.

Sew all around the cover, using a short, straight stitch, and leaving a large enough opening to insert the pillow form later.

Take your time, and don't pull on the material lest it bunch up. Let the machine draw the fabric toward it instead.

Go around the pillow one more time, just outside the first stitches, using a short, zig zag stitch. The two lines of stitching will help prevent the knit fabric from unraveling.

Making the Tassels

To make the tassels, wrap the yarn around a 2-inch piece of cardboard 15 times. Insert a long piece of yarn between the yarn and cardboard, pull it to the top of the cardboard, and double knot it in place.

Slide the yarn off the cardboard, then cut through the bottom of the yarn loop. Cut another piece of yarn and wrap it around the tassel 3 to 4 times, about ¼-inch below the top. Double knot the yarn together, then smooth the ends down into the rest of the fringe.

Trim the ends of the tassel so they are equal. Repeat three more times, until you have four tassels, and you're sweater cover is finished!

Tip: to make your tassels larger, simply start with a bigger piece of cardboard and wrap the yarn around it a few more times.

Finishing the Pillow Cover

Slide the two loose strands of yarn through the needle's eye. Poke the needle through the corner of the pillow form and pull the tassel flush with the pillow cover.

Turn the cover inside out, sew a loop, and knot the tassel in place. Repeat with the remaining tassels, attaching one to each corner.

Turn the pillow right side out and insert the pillow form. Pin the opening shut, then whipstitch it closed. Your pillow cover is complete!

Truth be told, I hate handstitching.

It only took a few minutes though, so I couldn't complain too much, and it was worth it in the end!

My favorite part of this DIY knit pillow cover - apart from the super soft feel - may just be the tassels. I absolutely LOVE tassels!

I hope you'll give this DIY sweater pillow cover a try. It really couldn't be easier to make!

Have you ever upcycled something you found at the thrift store?