I love a project that looks custom and high-end but starts with things I already have tucked away in a closet or garage. These giant sweater porch ornaments are exactly that kind of win: old kickballs become the base, old sweaters add all that cozy texture, and a few simple finishing pieces turn the whole thing into oversized holiday decor that looks incredibly full and polished on a front porch.
This is a great project if you want a big visual payoff without complicated building or sewing. I originally made mine on a busy weeknight after work because I wanted something festive that could hold its own next to my porch planters, and honestly, the scale is what makes them so good. Using three sweater-covered balls together gives you that “where did you buy those?” look, but they’re still easy enough to finish in an afternoon.
1. Inflate or check all three kickballs so they are round, firm, and similar in size, then wipe them clean and dry so the sweater fabric sits smoothly.
2. Cut one sleeve off each sweater if needed and test-fit the sweater body over a kickball, choosing the stretchiest section with the best knit pattern for the front.
3. Slide the first kickball into the sweater body and center it so the prettiest knit texture lands across the middle of the ball.
4. Pull the sweater snug around the ball and gather the excess fabric tightly at one side, like wrapping a giant piece of candy, then trim bulky extra fabric while leaving a 2-inch overlap for gluing.
5. Add hot glue under the overlap in short sections and press the sweater edges down tightly until the seam is smooth and secure; rotate the seam so it faces the back or bottom.
6. Tuck the open ends inward, stuff a little fiberfill where needed to round out low spots, and glue the ends closed so the ornament looks evenly full from every angle.
7. Repeat the covering process with the other two kickballs, mixing sweater colors and textures so the finished set looks coordinated but not too matchy.
8. Cut three 24-inch lengths of twine and loop each one through a plastic ornament top, tying a secure knot inside the cap to create a hanger detail.
9. Add hot glue around the rim of one ornament top and press it onto the top front area of a sweater-covered ball, holding it in place until the glue sets.
10. Tie a generous ribbon bow for each ornament using about 1 yard of ribbon, then glue the bow just under or around the ornament top to hide the edge and make the finish look fuller.
11. Fluff the bows, trim the ribbon tails at an angle, and adjust each ornament top so it sits straight and reads clearly as an oversized Christmas ornament.
12. If the ornaments will sit on a covered porch for the season, lightly spray them with clear outdoor fabric protector and let them dry fully before styling them in a cluster by the front door.
Color palette: I like using three sweaters in a coordinated mix like cream, red, and gray because it looks collected and full, but all ivory or all red makes a bigger statement if you want a cleaner porch setup.
Best sweater choice: Chunky knits, ribbed sweaters, and cable knits give the richest finished look. Thin jersey sweaters will work, but they do not hide the ball texture as nicely and can look less substantial outdoors.
No-sew fit tip: Stretchier sweaters are easier to wrap smoothly around the ball. If one sweater is extra bulky, trim more excess from the back seam instead of trying to fold everything inward.
Make them look expensive: Oversized bows are the secret. I always make the loops a little larger than feels necessary at first, because once they’re outside on the porch, that extra fullness is what makes the ornaments read as dramatic and intentional.
Outdoor placement: These hold up best on a covered porch, especially in Midwest winter weather. I would not leave them in direct rain or snow for weeks, since sweater fabric can soak up moisture.
Display idea: Cluster all three together near planters, lanterns, or a small bench rather than spreading them out. Keeping them grouped gives you that big-impact porch moment with almost no extra decorating.
Budget tip: Thrifted sweaters are perfect here, and slightly misshapen kickballs are fine as long as they still inflate into a good round shape. This is one of those projects where “used” materials honestly make the craft more fun.