Embroidery Hoop Ornaments From Sweaters. See how to create charming rustic ornaments with sweater scraps and old lace. These are simple ornaments that you can make now, before the big rush of the holiday season.
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September Handcrafted Society Challenge
I hope you are you ready for the Handcrafted Society’s September challenge. This one is going to be so good! If you are new to my blog, the Handcrafted Society is simply a group of bloggers who share a love for detail and craftsmanship. Each month we take our assigned medium and set our creative skills to work.
This month we are upcycling sweaters. Be sure to check out the links and photos at the end of my post to see what my friends are sharing too. This delightful group of ladies always have the most fantastic ideas. You can also check out my HS project from last September by clicking on my post DIY Rustic Stick Vase.
Embroidery Hoop Ornaments From Sweaters
I’m a little late this year with my make ahead Christmas ornament project. Now that I have the right spark of inspiration, I’m having the best time making embroidery hoop ornaments from sweaters and lace.
I think these sweater and lace embroidery hoop ornaments are going to look beautiful with our woodland theme decorations. Right now Christmas seems like a long way off, but I will actually be decorating in just a couple of months. Yikes! Well there’s nothing wrong with getting a jump on the holiday season.
Here’s a list of supplies and shopping links you might need to get started.
Supplies
- 3 inch embroidery hoops
- sweater scraps
- lace
- scissors
- ribbon
- faux greenery and mini pinecones
- hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Elmer’s white glue
- string or ribbon for hanging the ornaments
Before we jump into the project here’s some information on the materials. The sweater scraps I’m using for these ornaments are from a child size 3T sweater. I’m mentioning this, so you will know you can easily get 12 to 14 ornaments out of small sweaters.
The vintage lace pieces I’m using, are from old doilies and a handmade handkerchief my grandma made that date back to the 1930s and 40s. I have to say giving new life and purpose to these materials is so satisfying and warms my heart. For more upcycling ideas check out my post How To Make Lavender Sachets.
Instructions
For 3 inch embroidery hoops you will want to cut the sweater into 5 inch squares. Place the sweater piece over the smaller inside hoop and layer the lace piece on top.
Next loosen the tension screw on the outer hoop. Now place the hoop over the top and gently press down. Tighten the tension screw at the top, so that the sweater and lace are secure.
Note: On two of the ornaments, I’m creating some dimension with the wider lace by keeping only the top portion of the lace flat when fitting the hoops together. For the narrow lace ornament, it is flat across the center of the hoop.
Once the tension screw is secure, you can turn the ornament over, and trim the excess sweater and lace with sharp scissors. Now you are ready to embellish with a little sprig of faux greenery and a mini pinecone or two. To hide the tension screw add a pretty bow at the top with hot glue.
I decided to leave the two wide lace ornaments plain with just the ribbon. The lace detail is just too pretty to cover up with greenery, so I’m going to keep those simple yet charming. Which do you like best?
The last step is to add a little Elmer’s white glue on the back of the ornaments around the hoop. Depending on the type of sweater you are using, you may not need to add glue. I’m finding that even though the embroidery hoop is tight, the trimmed sweater is getting fuzzies on everything and the glue seems like a good solution. For the hanger I’m going to wait to see if I want to use string or coordinating ribbon.
Project Notes
You may not be able to see in the photos, so let me point out that I’m featuring the softer inside knit of the sweater instead of the outside. Just something to think about when you are assembling your ornaments, to decide which side you prefer.
Variations To This Project
If you are looking for variations to make for sweater ornaments, and you don’t want to use lace, here are some suggestions.
- substitute plaid or patterned ribbon across the center of the ornament
- use sweater or felt rosettes
- look for a cable knit sweater with interesting details
- upcycle a fair isle sweater with a pretty pattern
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with seasonal inspiration you can use right now!
Thank you so much for visiting. I hope you find my embroidery hoop ornaments with sweaters post inspiring. Keep scrolling to see what my Handcrafted Society friends are sharing. All you have to do is click on the image or blog name to view their full post.
Cheers!
More HS Sweater Projects To Inspire You…
©2025 Embroidery Hoop Ornaments From Sweaters post first appeared on Thistle Key Lane.
Oh my! Michelle, I marvel at your project every month!!! The simplicity is always so charming and stylish — to to mention your great photos. I absolutely adore these.
Thank you Diane for the sweet comments! You made my day and then some! Hugs!
Everything you do is magic, Michelle! I love that these are perfectly cozy and you can make them ahead too. We’ve had a lot of windy, rainy days lately and these would be so much fun to craft. Sending you lots of hugs, CoCo
Thanks so much CoCo! This is the perfect rainy morning or afternoon project and so easy! Big hugs to you my friend!
maybe i missed it, but why was glue applied to the back of the hoop at the end?
Excellent question Joan. I updated the post with this explanation. Depending on the type of sweater you are using, you may not need to add glue. I’m finding that even though the embroidery hoop is tight, the trimmed sweater is getting fuzzies on everything and the glue seems to be a good solution. Hope this helps.
Thanks so much for sharing your amazing creativity with us! Your ornaments turned out adorable! I would have never thought to use embroidery hoops, but they are perfect for this! Pinning this so I can try it sometime!
These ornaments are so pretty. You always have such inspirational craft projects that are easy, beautiful and fun.
Oh my goodness, these are adorable and so clever. You always amaze me with your creativity and your beautiful styling.
I am going to have to make a few of these with my leftover sweater scraps. They would be perfect on my tree.
I know your sweater ornaments will be gorgeous! Have fun with the project Wendy!
Hi Michelle! These are adorable and the perfect ornaments for any holiday tree. I love the fact that they are environmentally friendly- especially since you are upcycling a sweater. Pinned!
Thank you Anna for pinning! I always love upcycling projects too!
As always, not only a creative project but also so beautifully displayed – Boundless inspiration!
Thank so much Lynn for the sweet comments! Hugs!
Michelle, these are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Marilyn for stopping by! Hugs!