DIY toy guide
Felted Wool Sweater Cat Cave
Shrink an old wool jumper into a cosy den
A worn 100% wool jumper felts into a thick, insulating fabric — perfect for a snug, burrow-in cave that holds a cat's warmth beautifully.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- 1–2 hours (plus a wash cycle)
- Cost
- Free (upcycled)
🧺 You will need
- 1 old jumper, at least 80% wool (acrylic will not felt)
- Scissors
- Needle and strong thread
- A cushion or folded towel to shape the base
- Optional: stuffing or an old scarf for a bolster rim
🔧 How to make it
- Machine-wash the jumper on a hot cycle and tumble dry it — the fibres mat together into dense, felted fabric.
- Turn it inside out. Sew the neck opening and both sleeve openings closed with a tight running stitch.
- Turn it right-side out and shape the torso into a dome over your cushion or folded towel to form the cave body.
- Cut a rounded entrance hole in the front and stitch around the raw edge so it cannot unravel.
- Roll the waist hem up into a firm bolster rim and tack it in place, stuffing it if you want extra structure.
- Drop a folded fleece pad inside and set the cave in a warm, quiet corner.
💡 Tips
The higher the wool content, the denser and warmer the felt. Let your cat sniff and approve it first — a familiar-smelling jumper is a head start.
Safety: Trim every loose thread before use — long strands are a swallowing hazard. Skip this project entirely for cats that suck or eat wool and fabric.
📝 Notes
Machine-wash cool on a gentle cycle and reshape while damp.