Felted Sweater Mittens

Years ago, my father-in-law gave me a pair of wool sweaters. I wore them to death, but the stored them away. Not well enough, I'm afraid, because a moth found them.

I couldn't bring myself to throw them away, opting to wear them as an underlayer. Or when no one would see me. I found the blue one the other day and, since I've been felting lately, had a brainstorm.

First, I felted it in the washer.




Yep. Put that puppy in a pillowcase, secured the top and washed it on the hot cycle. Worked like a charm.

Wool fibers have these lovely little barbs that catch on each other and make them stick. The process is irreversible. That's why you don't wash your woolens in the machine.

Anyway, the little guy has been asking for mittens. So...not only did I wash the sweater, I (gasp!) cut it up.




Each cut of the pattern gave me two sides.



Then I got out my needle and thread. This would have been even easier if my sewing machine was functional (that's a whole 'nother story). I hand sewed them together...


Viola! Mittens. Bonus: I still have tons of felt to use (not to mention all the wool that was floating loose in the pillowcase after the cycle.

Bring on winter. The dude is ready.



Wondering what to do with your old wool sweater? Easy peasy!

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