Thrifted Sweater DIY Cozy Candle Tutorial

There are so many things that I love about the arrival of fall. It signifies the start of a solid three months of holidays and fun. The weather is warm enough to still enjoy the outdoors but cool enough to wear cute sweaters and hoodies. There’s nothing better than fall colors. And most importantly…

…it’s officially time to burn candles that smell like all of your favorite fall desserts.

Everything starts smelling like pumpkin, cinnamon, or some kind of dessert I would happily eat for breakfast. And suddenly I want every corner of my house to look a little warmer and more festive.

Which is how I ended up making these little candle cozies out of old sweater sleeves!

This thrift store transformation takes an old sweater and turns it into a cozy candle sweater. Perfect to customize for any holiday decor!

I had seen knitted candle covers before, and while they were adorable, there was one small problem: I wasn’t about to knit an entire candle sweater when the thrift store was already full of perfectly good sweaters waiting to be cut apart.

Work smarter not harder, right?

This DIY candle cozy takes about 10 minutes to make and only requires an old sweater, scissors, and a needle and thread. The sleeve does most of the work for you, so you don’t need to know how to knit or follow any kind of complicated sewing pattern.

I used thrifted sweaters in warm autumn colors, but this project would be so easy to customize for Christmas, winter, or whatever colors you already use in your home. Cable knit, ribbed, and patterned sweater sleeves all give the candles a slightly different look—and sweaters with stains or damage are perfect because nobody has to know what the rest of the sweater looked like.

One important note before we get started: these sweater cozies are meant to be decorative. Remove the cozy before lighting a real candle, or use it with a flameless LED candle so you can enjoy the cozy glow without putting fabric near an open flame. Do as I say and not as I do 😉

Now let’s turn that old sweater sleeve into something much cuter!

How to Make a Candle Cozy From an Old Sweater

This is one of those projects that looks much more complicated than it actually is. The sweater sleeve is already knitted into the perfect shape, so most of the work is basically measuring, cutting, and sewing the bottom closed.

Supplies

Old or thrifted sweater
Jar candle or flameless LED candle
Fabric scissors
Needle
Coordinating thread
Sewing pins or fabric clips, optional

Tip: Look for a sweater sleeve that fits snugly around your candle jar without stretching so much that you can see through the knit. Ribbed, cable knit, and medium-weight sweaters work especially well for this candle cozy.

Step One: Test Your Sweater Sleeve

Slide the sweater sleeve over the bottom of your candle jar to see how it fits.

You want the sleeve to feel snug enough that it stays in place, but not so tight that you have to wrestle the candle into it.

The cuff of the sweater can become the top edge of the candle cozy, which saves you from having to finish another raw edge.

If the sleeve is too loose, turn it inside out and sew a simple seam along one side to make it fit more closely around the jar. Trim away the extra fabric after sewing.

Step 2: Decide How Tall You Want the Candle Cozy

Pull the sweater sleeve up around the candle until you like the height.

I prefer to leave part of the glass jar visible at the top rather than covering the entire candle. It keeps the finished candle cozy from looking too bulky and makes it easier to remove.

Step 3: Cut the Sweater Sleeve

Cut across the sleeve leaving approximately one to two inches of extra sweater fabric underneath the candle. You will use that extra fabric to close the bottom of the cozy.

It is better to leave yourself a little too much fabric at first. You can always trim more away later!

Step 4: Gather and Sew the Bottom Closed

Turn the cut sweater sleeve inside out and slide it back over the candle jar.

Gather the extra sweater fabric underneath the bottom of the candle. Hold the gathered fabric tightly in the center, making sure the candle cozy has not slipped down from the height you chose.

Thread your needle and stitch through the gathered fabric several times. Wrap the thread tightly around the gathered section, then knot it securely.

This does not need to look pretty. It will be hidden underneath the candle, which is exactly where all slightly questionable hand sewing belongs.

Step 5: Trim Away the Extra Sweater Fabric

Remove the sweater cozy from the candle and carefully trim away the excess fabric underneath the stitches.

Cut as close to the sewn section as you safely can without cutting through the thread.

Do not leave a large lump of sweater fabric at the bottom. Too much extra material can make the candle sit unevenly, and nobody wants a wobbly candle situation.

Turn the candle cozy right side out again when you are finished.

Step 6: Slide the Finished Candle Cozy Onto the Jar

Slide your finished candle cozy over the bottom of the jar and adjust the knit until it sits evenly.

That’s it. You just turned an old sweater sleeve into cozy seasonal decor in about 10 minutes!

I made several candle cozies from thrifted sweaters in warm autumn colors, but you could easily change the look depending on the season. Try cream cable knit for winter, red or green patterns for Christmas, or a colorful vintage sweater for something with a little more personality.

One sweater can also provide enough fabric for multiple candle cozies, especially if you use both sleeves. You could make a coordinating set for a mantel, table, or inexpensive handmade gift.

Can You Burn a Candle With a Sweater Cozy on It?

No. Always remove the sweater candle cozy before lighting a real candle. Do as I say, not as I do, remember? 😉

The cozy is made from fabric and should never be placed near an open flame. For a similar look without removing the cover, use an appropriately sized flameless LED candle and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

I made three candle sweaters in some pretty autumn colors to fit the three Yankee Candle® candles that I picked up. I had a hard time not bringing all of the different fragrances home with me, they all smell so good!

The best way to get the biggest, boldest fragrance possible from these candles is to burn it long enough to allow the entire top layer to become a fragrant pool of liquid wax. When only 1/2″ of the wax remains, it’s time to let your candle go.