I love a project that takes two slightly awkward things most of us already have lying around and turns them into something that looks surprisingly charming on a porch. This one uses old sweaters and pool noodles, and the result has that cozy, oversized holiday look I’m always drawn to when I’m trying to make my front entry feel finished without spending a fortune.
If you’re busy, not especially interested in complicated crafting, and still want a big visual payoff, this is exactly the kind of weekend project I’d recommend. It’s simple, forgiving, and lightweight, but it ends up looking full-size and polished enough to hold its own next to planters, lanterns, or a front door wreath.
Materials
Instructions
1. Lay out your sweaters and pool noodles, then measure each noodle and mark the top 12 inches where the hook of the cane will curve. I like to keep both canes the same height so they look intentional on the porch, usually right around 54 to 58 inches tall before staking.
2. Gently bend the top marked section of each pool noodle into a candy cane hook and wrap duct tape around the bend every 2 inches to hold the shape. Use enough tape to keep the curve firm, but don’t flatten the noodle completely.
3. Cut the body of each sweater away from the sleeves, then trim each sleeve off with as much length as possible. If your sweater body has a nice straight section, save it in case you need extra fabric to cover part of the curve.
4. Slide the red sleeve over one pool noodle and the white sleeve over the second noodle, starting from the straight bottom end and easing the knit upward. Pull slowly around the taped curve so the sweater keeps its texture instead of stretching thin.
5. If the sleeve doesn’t fully cover the hooked top or the lower end, cut a matching strip from the sweater body and wrap it around the exposed section. Hot glue the seam on the back side, overlapping the knit slightly for full coverage.
6. Fold the knit under at the top tip and bottom end of each cane, then secure it with hot glue inside the opening. A rubber band or twist tie can help hold the folded fabric in place for a minute while the glue cools.
7. To create the classic striped look, cut 2-inch-wide diagonal bands from the opposite-color sweater body and wrap them around each cane in a spiral. Glue the ends and the back seam every 6 to 8 inches so the stripes stay snug and don’t slide.
8. Check the fronts of both pieces and add small dots of hot glue anywhere the knit lifts or gaps, especially around the inside curve. Press the fabric gently into place so the surface looks smooth, full, and evenly padded.
9. Push one piece of rebar or one garden stake into the bottom center of each pool noodle, leaving about 12 to 16 inches exposed below for anchoring in the ground or in a planter. Add a ring of duct tape at the entry point if the noodle feels loose around the stake.
10. Stand the finished pieces upright by your porch, press the stakes into the soil or into heavy planter filler, and angle the hooks slightly forward so they read clearly from the street. If you want an extra-polished look, display the pair crossed slightly or staggered beside a planter for a fuller arrangement.
Variations & Tips
Use chunkier sweaters: Thick cable-knit or ribbed sweaters give the fullest, coziest look and hide seams beautifully. I always grab the chunkiest ones first because they make the finished pieces look more expensive.
Try planter placement: If your ground is frozen or you don’t want to use rebar in the yard, set the stakes down into pots filled with soil, sand, or leftover gravel. This is my favorite option because it makes the display easy to move around.
Make them taller: For more drama, join two pool noodles end to end with a short dowel or taped connector inside, then cover the seam with extra sweater fabric. Just be sure to use a longer stake for support.
Add a bow: A red velvet or burlap ribbon tied where the pair crosses instantly makes the display look styled instead of homemade. It’s a tiny finishing touch, but it really pulls everything together.
Keep the seams in back: When you wrap the contrasting stripes, line up all glue seams on one side so the front looks clean from the curb. I do this with a lot of quick decor projects because it gives you the polished look with almost no extra work.
Weather note: Sweater-covered decor holds up best on a covered porch. If your entry gets direct rain or snow, spray the finished pieces lightly with fabric protector and bring them in during really wet weather.