Recycled, not re-gifted last minute holiday gifts you can make (from an old sweater or sweatshirt)

December 11, 10:51 AMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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If your budget is tight, consider making a cool, personalized one of a kind gift from something you have in your closet. This isn't re-gifting. It's re-purposing things that you have into new, cooler things.

From a sweater or old sweatshirt (the bigger the better) you can make a nice hat and scarf set. I made one of these for each of my girls (plus pair of pants from the arms of the sweaters. Read how to make baby pants from an old sweater HERE.)

Here's how you make the set...

Making the hat:

1. First measure your head or your spouse or child's head (depending on what size set you want to make).
2. Divide that number in half. Use that measurement and add 1-2 inches. This is how fat you'll make your hat. Mark that measurement on the bottom of your sweater or sweatshirt.
3. Next, make another mark 20-24 inches (depending on child or adult) up the fabric.
4. This should leave you with a rectangle shape to cut out of the fabric. Do so now.
5. Sew the edge of the fabric down so it won't fray.
6. Now fold the fabric in half (with the side of the fabric you want inside the hat on the outside facing you). Make sure you've folded it so that the two ends that will rest on the forehead are at the bottom closest to you. You won't sew this side.
7. Sew (most easily with a sewing machine) down the two other edges. You won't need to sew the top of the hat because it was made from folded material.
8. Turn inside out and try it on.

Making the scarf:

1. Make a 4-6 inch wide rectangle the length of the sweater or sweatshirt, cutting one long piece from the front to the back of the sweater.
2. You'll end up with a nice long rectangle with finished ends.
3. Next, fold the edges down as narrowly as possible and sew down so the fabric doesn't fray.
4. Try it on and see how you like it.

You can add some trinkets like buttons or a pocket if you want to. Make sure not to add buttons or anything small onto the hat or scarf of a child under three or that still puts everything in his or her mouth.

For more recycled gift ideas, check out my story on making a pair of baby pants from a sweater, how to make a shopping/grocery store bag from an old t-shirt, and making an apron from a pillow case.