How to Make Cozy Candleholders From a Sweater

Better Homes & Gardens

Need inspiration for a winter candle display? Check in your closet! You can turn a well-worn sweater into homemade candleholders with just a few cuts and stitches. This candle decoration is so easy, and it can work with almost any size candle you have. Add on some bells and glitter to give your candle the look of an "ugly" Christmas sweater or keep it plain for a simpler cozy look. Follow our instructions below to see what supplies you need to make your own Christmas candleholder that you can display all winter long.

Related: Favorite DIY Winter Decor Ideas

How to Make Sweater Candleholders

  • Old jars (any size and shape) or purchased glass votive holders

  • Felt scraps

  • Marking pen

  • Scissors

  • Discarded sweaters

  • Matching sewing thread

  • Needle

  • Fabric glue

  • Coordinating-color yarn

  • Candles to fit inside jars or holders

  • Glue

  • Jingle bells or other embellishments, if desired

To start your DIY candleholders, trace around the bottoms of your jars onto felt scraps. Carefully cut out the circles just inside the traced lines; this way you won't see the felt while looking at the candle. Set the felt circles aside.

Cut sweaters into rectangles long enough to wrap around the jars and wide enough to extend at least 1 inch above the jars. When deciding the dimensions for the sweater pieces, plan for a finished edge at the top and consider whether you want to roll a cuff over at the top. Sleeves and bottom ribbed edges of sweaters work nicely for top finished edges. With right sides together, stitch the ends of each rectangle together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance to make tubes; turn right side out. Some sweaters may have sleeves that are just the right size to slide over a jar. In those cases, cut tubes from the sleeves.

Related: 20+ Easy Candle Crafts

Insert jars into the sweater candle decoration. Turn the jars upside down. Using a double strand of sewing thread, sew around the cut edges of sweater tubes using large basting stitches. Gather edges together around the bottom of the jars. Knot ends to secure.

Related: Our Ultimate Sewing Guide

Glue felt shapes onto the jar bottoms over the gathered sweater edges; let dry. Turn the jars upright and embellish with a crocheted yarn tie, and, if desired, a jingle bell hanging from a single piece of yarn. Put candles into the creative candleholders, and display your handiwork among winter decorations!