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Snappy Recycled Mittens
Find an old 100% wool sweater and wash it in very hot water with a little soap. It will shrink, shrink, shrink and that is good...it's called "Felting" the wool. Dry it in a hot dryer and once it's done, you are ready to begin!

Posted by Holly W. from U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, United States • Published See Holly W.'s 5 projects »
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  • How to make mittens. Mittens From An Old Sweater! - Step 1
    Step 1

    After you are done shrinking your sweater, trace your hand on a piece of paper in a mitten shape. Outline the shape with a dotted line as this will be your seam allowance. Cut out the shape and it will be both the left and right hand pattern...just flip it over.

  • How to make mittens. Mittens From An Old Sweater! - Step 2
    Step 2

    Pin the pattern onto the sweater. Make sure to leave enough room for the other hand. Then just flip the hand to the other side of the sweater for your right hand mitten.

    I have used the bottom of the sweater as a cuff - you can make this extra long if you want to fold it over to make a cuff.

  • How to make mittens. Mittens From An Old Sweater! - Step 3
    Step 3

    Cut the pattern out of the front and the back pieces of the sweater. Depending upon how thick the wool is, you may need some very sharp scissors.

  • How to make mittens. Mittens From An Old Sweater! - Step 4
    Step 4

    Cut out both hands, reverse the material and sew the mitten together. You can use a machine, or you can sew them together by hand...just do not forget to leave the bottom open for proper hand insertion.

  • How to make mittens. Mittens From An Old Sweater! - Step 5
    Step 5

    I sewed mine by hand as the two wool pieces were too thick for my machine.

  • How to make mittens. Mittens From An Old Sweater! - Step 6
    Step 6

    Don't get side tracked...

  • How to make mittens. Mittens From An Old Sweater! - Step 7
    Step 7

    After you are done sewing the sides, top and thumb, turn both mittens right side out and add some embellishments (if you desire...).

    Enjoy your extremely warm mittens!

    PS - I knew a woman who was wearing her hand made mittens snow shoveling, and because her hands perspired a lot while doing this activity, the wool shrunk even more and she actually had to cut the mittens off of her hands because they had gotten too small to remove!

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Comments

Mazzy Seven
Mazzy Seven · 1 project
Awesome!!!
Reply
Kim C.
Kim C. · Portland, Oregon, US
That is so great! I can't wait to go find a sweater and try this!
Reply
Vickie G.
Vickie G. · U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, US · 4 projects
I've got to find a wool sweater so I can make me a pair of these. Love them!
Reply
DIS.AR.RAY
DIS.AR.RAY · Las Vegas, Nevada, US · 32 projects
Thats awesome Happy

I'm guessing that when it "felts" and shrinks, it gets thicker?
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Jacqueline C.
Jacqueline C. · 12 projects
Really Nice!
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mamachka
mamachka
I Love it...plus Hahahaha I am always sidetracked that's why I haven't posted any projects yet! Love your kitty too! Happy
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Mama Zoe
Mama Zoe · Oshawa, Ontario, CA · 7 projects
Oooh... I have a shrunken Abercrombie&Fitch sweater that I am pretty sure is 100% wool. Maybe instead of giving it away I'll try this! Thanks!!!!
Reply
Cat
Cat · Dover, Delaware, US · 20 projects
My friend told me about something like this. This is great! I will definitely have to try. Thanks for the tutorial =]
Reply
michelle G.
michelle G. · Antigonish, Nova Scotia, CA · 1258 projects
oh nicely done
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