How to Make Mittens Out of an Old Sweater — Do you have an old sweater you just can’t bear to part with even though you don’t wear it anymore? Maybe it’s time to turn that sweater into a pair of mittens for this winter. What? You’ve never used a sweater to make mittens before?
Where have you been living all these years? Suburbia? Ha Ha Ha.
What if you don’t have a sweater? No problem, just stop by a thrift store and find a sweater with made with at least 80% wool.
Toss the sweater into the washing machine and wash using HOT water. Dry on the HOT setting to shrink the wool sweater. It won’t fit you anymore but the material will be felted enough to make a pair of thick mittens.
To make a mitten pattern simply grab a piece of card stock, and trace your hand {fingers together, thumb spread out like the picture above}.
Lay the pattern piece on the sweater and cut 2 piece from one side of the sweater, then flip the pattern piece over and cut two more. When you cut the pattern out allow 1/2- inch seam allowance.
Place right sides together, then sew each mitten together and leavening a 1/4-inch seam allowance. .
To prevent fraying, sew around the mitten again, leaving a 1/8-inch seam allowance.
When you are finished sewing, turn the mittens right-side out, and press with an iron {on the wool setting}.
Talk about an easy craft project. If you have a bunch of old sweaters on hand you could make everyone a pair of mittens this year for Christmas. Being thrifty and repurposing stuff is fun, don’t you think?
~Mavis
Eleanor Vaughn says
Love your blog.
Tessa says
Holy Cats I Love This! I am TOTALLY doing this. I’m on my way to my closet right now!
Deb Miller says
This is a great idea! Thanks Mavis!
Kathy says
I think I could do this, with a little help from my friend and her sewing machine!
Helen in Meridian says
Mavis, now take the sleeves and turn them into boot socks. Just use the cuff for the fold over boot socks top. You may have needed to cut the sleeves off before you shrink felt them. I can’t remember if it was onegoodthingbyjillee that showed this or what.
Lisa says
You coupon, barter, garden & bake and now sew! What DON’T you do?!!!
Mavis says
I have not tried sky diving yet.
Connie says
But you could try a zip line. We just did that on our vacation for the first time and it was a blast!
Ann T. says
Oh Thank you! I forgot all about wanting to try this sometime.
Your way sounds even better!
Jill says
Imagine if a group got together and made mittens for people who can’t afford them? That would be a great way of turning something we’d normally throw away into something that would benefit others.
Heather T. says
wow I am going to make these, I love Mittens but don’t want to spend $20+ for them wonder if there is a way to make them more water proof?
Tracy J says
Heather T.
If you washed the mittens in warm water with wool wash that has a high percentage of lanolin, that should waterproof them pretty effectively. That’s how I used to care for my boys wool pants when they were in cloth diapers. HTH!
Tracy J says
btw, don’t rinse them after you wash them. Just squeeze them out and let them dry. I like Eucalan. It works great and has a nice scent!
Chris says
These would be great lined with flannel for a little extra warmth 🙂
karen snyder says
use a old flannel shirt or if you want really warm ones use fleece. Mine are great!
Tracy Morrison says
awesome idea and will save money too. Mittens are always lost around my house and this is so handy and easy to do…. saves me sending things to goodwill ; I can repurpose these sweaters now. Thank you for idea.