Sweater Pumpkins

Directions

1. Lay the sweater sleeve flat on your work surface. Using sharp scissors, slice straight down from the cuff seam to the shoulder seam to free the tube of fabric.
2. Measure four inches away from your first cut and slice vertically again, creating a second opening along the sleeve.
3. Thread your needle and knot the two ends together to create a doubled strand. Ensure the thread is long enough to circle the sleeve opening one and a half times.
4. Flip the sleeve inside out so the original seam faces outward.
5. Sew a running stitch approximately a quarter-inch from the raw edge of the opening. Work all the way around the circle, being careful not to pierce through both layers of fabric simultaneously.
6. When you return to your starting point, pull both thread ends firmly to cinch the fabric closed.
7. Secure the thread with tight knots to keep the circle shut.
8. Trim any excess thread, then turn the fabric right-side out so the raw edges are hidden inside.
9. Thread your needle again and sew a running stitch around the remaining open end of the sleeve.
10. Return to your starting point and set the needle and thread aside temporarily.
11. Fill the sleeve with pillow stuffing until it is plump and firm, but leave enough room to close the opening easily.
12. Hold the thread in one hand while using the other to pinch the fabric edges together, pulling the thread tight to seal the pumpkin.
13. Tie off the thread securely. Tuck any loose fabric flaps inside the body using your fingers or a blunt tool like a pen.
14. Shape the stuffed body with your hands to make it as round and symmetrical as possible.
15. Double-thread your needle and tie a large knot at the end to prevent it from slipping through the stuffing. Cut a length of thread long enough to wrap around the pumpkin three times, adjusting for size.
16. Insert the needle through the top center of the pumpkin and push it out through the bottom center. Pull the thread completely through.
17. Bring the needle back to the top and repeat the process, creating a loop that runs from top to bottom. Pull this loop tight to form the first ridge.
18. Repeat this top-to-bottom stitching five more times, spacing the threads evenly to create six total ridges.
19. Go back through each ridge individually to tighten them and define the pumpkin shape. Tie off the thread at the bottom once satisfied.
20. Apply a small dot of hot glue to the top rim of a cork, then press one end of the twine into the glue.
21. Wrap the twine tightly around the cork until you reach the base, securing it with another dot of hot glue.
22. Add hot glue to the bottom of the wrapped cork and press it firmly onto the top of the pumpkin to complete the stem.