Tis the season to start thinking about homemade gifts for the special people on your list. Today I’m joining a bunch of great Canadian Bloggers for the Canadian Handmade Holiday Event, just look for the hashtag #CNDHandmadeHoliday and enjoy all their beautiful Handmade Holiday ideas!
This weekend I used some old wool sweaters to make some nice cozy mittens for my daughter and husband. I love how they turned out, so soft and warm and easy to make too.
I started out with some felted wool sweaters. Pick-up some 100% wool sweaters at the thrift store, and wash them in hot, hot water, and then put them in a hot dryer. The wool will felt, and they’ll be nice and thick and won’t fray when cut. I made a simple pattern by tracing around their hands, and then adding a seam allowance. If you wanted them to be a surprise, you could also use an old pair of mittens as a pattern. Don’t forget you need four pieces in total, two for the left hand, two for the right -so flip over the pattern for the second set.
Before you sew your pieces together you can add any embellishments you like. I cut out simple hearts and added to my daughters, and sewed a few buttons on the pair for husband. Next step is to pin right sides together and sew them together. Before turning them right-side-out, trim the seam quite close in the thumb, so there isn’t too much bulk in the thumb when you turn them right-side-out.
They’re so warm and cozy, and it only took me about an hour to make one pair.
Perfect for hand holding on a cold day.
Or, perfect for gift giving to someone special on your list this year. With homemade sweater mittens, life really is a party!
Don’t forget to follow along with #CDNHandmadeHoliday
This post is linked up at The Weekend Retreat Link Party, The Party Bunch, Sundays at Home with Thoughts from Alice, Silver Pennies Sunday Link Party, The Inspiration Gallery Link Party, and Link Party Palooza.
Super cute, I really need to make some mittens like these!
These are so great Dannyelle! Simple enough for the sewing challenged like myself! What a creative and pretty idea!
This is absolutely brilliant Dannyelle! What a great way to use up old sweaters and they look fabulous. I have a navy blue sweater that is no longer wearable and would be great to turn into mittens! Thank you!
These are so cute! I’ll be on the lookout for wool sweaters at the thrift shop to felt 😉
This is SUCH a cute idea, Dannyelle! I love how this is upcycling too – I’m definitely going to remember this one!
This is so prefect for me!!!! I don’t knit, but love the look of wool mitts! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Love how simple these were to make. Now to go felt some sweaters!
My kiddos need new mittens! I think I know what they are getting in their stockings. 😉
These are so cute, Dannyelle! Great idea using sweaters! 🙂
So sweet! And I think with kids, you can’t ever have too many mittens!
Love these! I am totally going to make some!
Thanks Alice. They are simple to make and so, so cozy.
Adorable! Great idea for DIY gifting.
Thanks Jennifer, my husband wore his yesterday and they looked so warm and cozy! Happy sewing!