upcycle a knit

Give your pre-loved Christmas sweaters a new lease of life by using them to create extra-special festive gifts

In the bleak midwinter, cosy up your home by recycling your old festive jumpers

Button-up cushion You will need

Scissors patterned jumper chalk Ruler pins Matching sewing thread cushion pad Four buttons

Cut through the side seams of the jumper and cut off the sleeves. Cut the shoulder seams to separate the front and back. Use chalk and a ruler to draw horizontal and vertical lines to create two rectangular pieces. The width will be from the smallest part (at the armholes) to the cuffed hem. Cut along these lines. With right sides facing up, lay the two rectangles on the floor with the cuffed hems overlapping. Pin them together. Fold the two short edges to the centre to create a square. Pin, then stitch together, leaving a 2.5cm seam allowance. Position the cuffed hems where you want them to be on the cushion front – this could be to one side or in the centre. With the right sides together, pin and stitch the side seams. Turn the cover right sides out and put the cushion pad inside. Measure and mark the position of the buttonholes, equally spaced on the top cuff. Carefully snip to the length of each button and finish with a basic buttonhole stitch. Then sew the buttons in place on the bottom cuff and fasten to secure the cover.

santa stocking

You will need paper, pencil, scissors and pins patterned jumper Sewing thread Felt Wool Ribbon and needle Beads

Draw a template of a stocking shape onto a large piece of paper, then draw a line where the ankle seam will be. Cut the template out, then cut along the ankle seam line. Lay the jumper in front of you, making sure any stripes are level. Use the templates to cut two pieces of each shape, adding a 1.5cm seam allowance all round. Use the ribbed hem as the top of the stocking. With right sides together, pin each foot piece to each leg piece. Stitch the ankle seam, then press open. Lay a piece of felt at the heel, pin in place, then use wool to over stitch it in place. add a toe piece in the same way. repeat for the second side. Pin the stocking together with right sides facing, taking care to match the pattern and the edges of the felt. Sew around the outside, leaving a 1.5cm seam allowance, leaving the cuffed top open. Turn right side out, press. Fold over the cuff at the top and thread narrow ribbon in a running stitch pattern at the edge as decoration. Thread on beads and finish by sewing a loop of ribbon to the back seam.

this look works just as well on plain cushions, too, and is a lovely personal touch to add to bedrooms or guest rooms Salvage buttons from an old cardigan

upcycle an old christmas jumper to make an heirloom stocking